Chicago: I grew up there, and I like to quote the song from the Disney movie "Aladdin": It's barbaric, but hey, it's home. It is a great city, so much art and culture and great food. I do miss it.
But I have to confess, my favorite city is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If you've never been there you probably think it's the armpit of the nation, but it's a wonderful place to live. It's clean, the people are nice, there are museums and a symphony and sports and the best pizza anywhere in the world (Fuel and Fuddle)...and you KNOW I know my pizza, being a Chicagoan.
It's also very cheap to live there. I love Pennsylvania in general..KStarboy's family lives in eastern PA and it's really pretty.
Thumbs down to southern California. Sorry, but I hate it here. I miss the seasons and I can't afford to live here and the people are rude a lot of the time. I also can't stand driving, and you can't get around out here without a car. I know lots of people love it, but it's just not me at all.