I just heard on NPR that the two cities in the US with the strongest economies are both in California. Santa Rosa and San Diego.

Lisbon or Madrid. They'll rock your world. ;-)

It's a good idea that you're asking for recommendations. I see choosing a place of residence like eating sushi. You want to make sure you have a recommendation before jumping in. Otherwise it could be a very unhappy experience.
With that in mind, I offer you this:
Chapel Hill, NC
Why? Well, first off, Doc Searls used to live here. Now, how cool is that? I'm trying to get a statue erected, but the city planning board won't bite. Secondly, there is a university here. i.e. plenty of coffee, entertainment and lots of great places to eat. Here in Chapel Hill they shy away from large corporate stores, instead leaning towards small 'mom and pop' shops. The weather is fair and the landscape is beautiful.
Okay, okay. I know, you might need to work. Well, you're in luck, because about 20 minutes down the road in Research Triangle Park (RTP), which houses hunderds of business (mostly tech related) from IBM down to small businesses.

That's my offer. Oh yes, and James Taylor is from here, and Michael Jordan played college bball here. But that's just extra. You'll love it regardless.

That's not 20 worlds or less!

How about Canada? I mean if you can stomach our incessant foul language, our fliptop heads, and our funny accents, Vancouver for example is a pretty fine, if damp, place.

Of course, there's visa stuff, isn't there?

But since I'm just talking out my butt now (as usual) Sydney is a pretty darn fine place too, and the Australian Delegation would certainly welcome you with open arms!

I'd tell you to come to Korea, vacationland of the rich and famous, but I like you, so I won't. That *is* tantamount to telling someone to go to hell!

As far as America goes, I dunno. Mebbe join the Gonzo Squad (Hunter S. and Rage B.) in the Rockies?

Also, tangentially, many years ago in London I did the 'close your eyes and point at a map' thing when I was at loose ends about where to go next. My finger ended up in Lagos, Portugal, and I flew there the next day, and It Was Good.

Just sayin'. Serendipity can sometimes a good thing.

Oooops. Sorry, Shelley. I missed the part about 20 words.

(Sorry - I didn't mean to hijack the thread. Please carry on with the BB-relocation suggestions...)

Chicago, 'cos then you could help me take over my seminary. Of course, we can't pay you anything, but. . . .

New Zealand, so that you can tell me if it's worth moving there :-)

The place is beautiful, cheap, and smart.

-Dave (send me mail at the envelope link on my web site)

Guys, could I draw everyone's attention to Shelley's Muse By Category links. I don't see a "Santa Rosa Delegation" nor one from San Diego, Chapel Hill, or Chicago. Canadian Delegation? Portugese Delegation? New Zealand Delegation?

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Thank you for playing.

As Stavros (the Canadian from Korea) so graciously admitted, "the Australian Delegation would certainly welcome you with open arms!"

Though I'd suggest Sydney, other members of the Delegation will be quick to disagree. I suggest the "throwing a dart at the map of Australia" method (though make sure your map includes Tasmania).

Shelley, come Down Under. The Australian Delegation is in desperate need of adult leadership.

Eugene, Oregon. Highest state unemployment in the country. Rains a lot November to May. Tech sector not promising (other than Symantec). Other than that, pretty nice place to live. Portland is a decent place too.

Actually, *I* live in San Diego. I love it. But I think it would be disappointing after living in the Bay area. San Diego has great weather and lots of sun. But it has no sole. And you can't find two good restaurants to save your life. The really good restaurants are in LA and SF. Plus, the cost of housing in SD is pretty outrageous. I wonder if it isn't just as bad as the Bay area.

But I have to say that even if I were moving, I don't think I could move outside of California. I love it. So have you (Bb) considered staying in California but moving to someplace less expensive (but just as wired)? I'm not sure where that would be, though. San Juan Capistrano?

well, I HAVE to echo Ryan's vote for:

North Carolina...if only for the fact that I live here and NJ Meryl will soon live just over the border in VA...we'd have our very own East Coast blogging triangle.
Greenville is a bit more small-town than the RTP...I get the feeling you need water, though, and that would mean you'd have to come closer to the coast.

C'mon up to Sonoma County--the weather's gorgeous, the bandwidth is abundant, and the prices are reasonable. We drive into the city all the time for concerts and get-togethers with friends, but the restaurants are at least as good here.

Here's the view from our office window:

I've lived all over California (both Northern and Southern) and can't imagine living anywhere else.

I'd second Dori's suggestion of Sonoma County (or anywhere north-ish of the Bay) for practicality. Likewise Jonathan's invite from the Australian Delegation - tho' if you prefer SF to LA (as any sane person would?), choose Melbourne rather than Jonathan's Sydney!

I'm voting for Newport Beach. It's gorgeous here, you could have great fun pestering the natives (as a former San Franciscan, it's one of my favorite pastimes), and I could buy you a beverage or two for your help with Jeneane's permalinks, and mine as I gazed over your shoulders. THANKS!