Yeah I was living in Aliso Viejo Ca and renting a room for 950$ a month of course I was single then and it wasnt to bad.
And yes the mountains look good when you can see them its kinda crazy there only 45 min away. Like you said Dave get out while you still can! Im a computer tech and my wifes a pharmacy technician we both found good goverenment jobs up there and land is in my price range. You buy a house here for half a mil with no backyard no problem. I would rather have a few akers of land with trees and a nice cabin to live in for half the price. The economy is in a tail spin and will only get worse thats another good reason to jump ship.