...would you move back to Texas if given the chance? Or do you prefer the California lifestyle?

I currently live in Northern California for my job. I probably won't be here long term, however, my job likely won't take me to Texas either.

I will say one this about the state of California: while it is a beautiful place to live, this recession has shown that the state government's decision to continually expand entitlement programs is just not feasible in the long term. To achieve this goal, the state must continuously raise taxes, and these high tax rates are starting to drive out businesses and jobs.

The state has a fiscal budget shortfall of $40+ billion over the next two years. Lawmakers can't come to an agreement over whether to cut spending or raise taxes. If these budget problems continue over the long term, people will move back to low tax states like Texas.

I guess instead of making my own thread, I will just add to this one.

I was layed off last week, and I will be moving to the Sacramento area in late march. I have multiple reasons for moving there, though I know the job market is even more in disarray there. My girlfriend is already currently living there and has a job.

My question are these:

We need a place to live, and I have no clue where to start. She mentioned Roseville as a decent place to start looking. I am also wondering about the possibility of renting a house/duplex/townhome with a backyard for my dog to run around in.

Anyone know any architecture or Graphic Design/Visual Communications firms hiring on a full or part time basis in the area? I have 3 years of work experience at an arch firm in dallas, but am very fluent at many computer programs and have always been interested in GD.

Any information about the difficulty or likelihood of gaining entrance into the UC Davis Grad school for design would be excellent. I have already checked out both the Universities, and the departments web pages.

And one last thing, what am I going to do about Aggie games??? This is going to make me very sad I imagine.

If you can help, please let me know, my email is rhunten at gmail.