If you've been flying for a major carrier for a few years, you have enough money to pay taxes and live acceptably well in California, or anywhere.

As for real estate, don't try to live in CA if you want/need a McMansion. Otherwise just downsize a little and enjoy. Get outside instead of watching TV in the snow or humidity. This December & January, I've been running nearly every day in shorts and a t-shirt to get some exercise & sun. Sports, arts, beach, mountains, shopping, education, diversity...all hard to beat elsewhere. We bought a nice 1500 sq ft house in the foothills just 10 minutes from BUR by car, or 1.5 hours to LAX by MetroLink & MetroRail/FlyAway bus. New LAX people mover will connect all the LAX terminals to new Crenshaw line MetroRail station in a few years (thanks to Measure M and some of my taxes).

Just like the federal government, CA state spending has been unstable in the past (high pensions, etc.), but will be improved.

Proud to be here, and proud the state works within the law to take good care of all our great residents while Washington talking heads work out fair immigration reform.

Life is good.