Escaping California - Where To?

[Chris Williams]

Look out world, I'm escaping from California! The only question now is...where to move to?

Granted, this is not strictly REI-related. But my decision will be heavily motivated by real estate anyway, and I'll definitely want to make some contacts at the new location. Consider this a preliminary hand out.

In late 2019/early 2020, I plan on escaping California's exorbitant prices and problematic housing environment. I'd like to find a cheaper, decent place to live while I save more & work on acquiring property. (And maybe some notes; I like that idea.)

Criteria:

• Cooler climate than CA. The significant other and me both enjoy cool, overcast/damp weather.
• Good business climate.
• Good real estate environment/reasonable prices! (Almost anything's better than California prices, but I digress...)
  • I don't intend to invest locally 100% of the time. Already considering Indiana, Alabama, Ohio, and Texas for long-distance REI.
• Decent tech industry. I'm a content marketer/manager; a lot of my work comes from the tech community. Obviously I'll need to find work in the new area.
• Reasonably-close access to good medical care. Said SO is diabetic...I don't want reaching a good hospital to take hours.
• Not New York, DC, or Texas. I personally wouldn't mind northern Texas, but the SO would.

O Great Mental Conglomerate of BP...what say you? What regions should I consider?