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I am originally from Detroit Michigan, but I spent a significant amount of time in the DC area when I was doing an internship in college.
I have been a California resident now for almost six years.
My thoughts...
California is beautiful and if you already have loads of money it is a great place to retire. If you're young and up and coming you need to run for the hills.
It isn't an area that values education. I have a Master's degree and I am working on a PhD and it has done nothing for me here as far as higher wages. The wages in the area do not support the cost of living.
People here are laid back to a degree, but most Californians are "on" all the time since the weather stays nice most of the year. The sun provides a false sense of peace and serenity here because I can assure you there are problems that are beneath the fake smiles and rays of sunshine.
I have found people here to be friendly, but they care more about what you have then who you are. Entertainment is paramount and many of the most wealthy are either celebrities or members of the corporate elite.
The DC metro area from my perspective
It is expensive, but not LA expensive. People are on all the time, but usually for reasons that they deem important and not for shear entertainment value.
Education is valued and it is important. You can also find areas that are very family friendly which is harder to do in Southern California.
You can buy a nice home in Maryland or Virginia for a price that would only get you a hole in the wall condo here.
People care more about who you are in terms of what you do and where you went to school which I actually find refreshing.
The area has good schools and it seems people still aspire to be something.
Since there really is a real season change throughout the ear you do get a few months in which things slow down a tad, or at least you can slow them down if you want.
Just my two cents, but of course each area has positive and negative points, it is all about what you find valuable.
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