@Ohiosam
Don't you have some well traveled kids? I'd be interesting to know how they landed on their choices.
My kids went where they found good jobs. That is THE reason they are in San Diego, Seattle, Chicago.
Oldest son is in San Diego and weather is fantastic but COL is stupid. Million bucks doesn’t buy much house and taxes are ridiculous. 50 miles inland the homes are much cheaper but weather gets much hotter.
Middle son is in Seattle and weather is a step down but much better than Ohio. Housing is a smidge cheaper than SD but still very high by Ohio standards, taxes are much better than California.
Both places offer a lot for young people as far as entertainment and recreation. Lots of young families. Both boys work in tech and are well compensated which allows them to live a comfortable middle class life style. Neither place is a place for middle age folks to move to to restart or older people to retire.
Daughter is in Chicago. She’s a chemical engineer at a well know food company and her husband is in advertising for a beer company. Good jobs. Weather and taxes suck. They are north of downtown in a relatively safe part of the city with lots of nightlife/entertainment but are looking to move to the suburbs that are more family friendly. Son-in-law’s sister and mother have moved to the Chicago area too.