10 Pricey Cities That Pay Off

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I was born in San Diego and have lived in Santa Barbara for the last 36 years. Yes, it's beautiful here, but jobs are scare, the city closes down at 10PM entirely and if you want to buy a home or even think about it you had better be a multi-millionaire. I've watched the population here grow from 180,000 to 400,000+ people, and let me tell you, it's not pretty. The mom and pop local businesses are all but gone, big high-end chain stores have moved in (think Sacks 5th Ave, Sotheby's Realty, etc). Rents are at an all-time high. SO high in fact, it's laughable. I literally cannot believe what they are charging for a sub-par dirty hole in the wall box with a gas leak! It's an absurd shame. Also, if you are single and in the age range of 30-50, you can FORGET finding anyone here... the phrase is "Santa Barbara is for the newly wed or nearly dead".
I am leaving my fair city in September for Montana, where I can still hope to BUY a house or a condo and live my life out in clean air and peace. I love the ocean, but for me the high prices are just not paying off in quality of life! I would like to own my own home and get out of the rent rat race.

Colin Greene of CA 2:17PM June 26, 2009

I have experienced going to school, living and working in Honolulu, L.A. San Diego, and San Francisco at various times and now live in Boca Raton, Florida with Naples, Florida being my number vacation destination in this area of the world for now.
I concur wholeheartedly with these selections. All are beautiful cities with so much to offer. However, I would add Irvine, California to the list replacing L.A. Orange County in general is wonderful in terms of jobs, people, quality of life, beauty, schools, climate, terrain, etc.

S Jackson of FL 11:35AM June 25, 2009

Allen T of VA is right on.
Kristen of CT is a perfect illustration of the relatively few people who could find living in a place like NYC enjoyable. The life she describes is deathly dull for normal people. People who are healthy and enjoy life could not endure eating barely-edible restaurant food frequently (the best Italian meal), sitting for hours watching actors on a stage (go see a play), walking to work (what civilized human wants to live that close to the business/industrial district of a dirty city?) pouring most of their income down the rent rat hole, or going to the same museum over and over and over? And don't tell me NYC isn't dirty. I've been there. A city with amenities (there are thousands of them, and they aren't the pricey ones) is not one that can be endured at a sacrifice, it is one that offers the opportunities for positive activities that enrich your life and distinguish you from sheep.
So-called "economists" should stick to economics and not philosophize about something they obviously are not equipped to discuss.

Chuck of OR 10:19PM June 24, 2009

I fled California; moved to Arizona; love it here even though we don't have an ocean.
Taxes are lower; folks are nicer, and so many less laws to restrict our lives.

ted of AZ 7:40PM June 24, 2009

I have lived 35 years in Santa Barbara, 6 in San Luis Obispo, with the my other years in small cities in the rocky mountains (15). The article left off air quality, national parks/recreation, and ECONOMICS. The coastal California cities are vibrant, fun and culturally adept, but also crowded, expensive, polluted and lacking in job opportunities. For my money Colorado and Utah top California for overall lifestyle at a reasonable price.

Annie Linn of UT 6:23PM June 24, 2009

Too bad that Pelosi, Feinstein, Boxer, and Miller represent this state!

Ken of MT 4:18PM June 24, 2009

I truly love living in San Francisco. It's worth every penny!!!

Jeremy of CA 2:14PM June 24, 2009

Santa Barbara has so many amenities that it's worth the cost!

KKG of CA 1:53PM June 24, 2009

I used to live in NYC for almost 10 years, and I loved it, even though most of my paycheck went to my rent. The fact I could walk to work, visit my favorite museum during lunch time, eat the best Italian meal for dinner, and then go see a play, is exactly what kept me there for so long. Quality of life!!!

Kristen of CT 11:31AM June 24, 2009