Santa Barbara, CA

I lived in Santa Barbara for the last 15 years (originally from Russia, also lived in HN, NYC, CT, and Florida). Currently working remotely for a European startup. Sure, it's expensive (probably around 80-90% of Bay Area cost of living), but the weather is perfect (not too hot, not too cold, all year around), the scenery is beautiful (mountains on one side, ocean on the other), and the city itself is fairly old and cozy (home to the second oldest building in California). People are generally friendly and laid back, lots of tourists, plenty of hipsters. Lots of rich people and celebs own houses here. There's UCSB, a top-50 ranked university, which can provide both intellectual stimulation and fun (concerts, lectures, and partying in student town of Isla Vista). Los Angeles is ~2 hours away, San Jose ~5 hours away.