find makes the cost of living differential worth it? My wife and I have thought about it off and on for years (she's from L.A. County), but always back away when looking at housing costs.

Her parents are still in Burbank but moving soon to AZ, so there's not a specific grandparents draw. But family would visit often for Disneyland, etc.

We see top upsides as weather, cool stuff to do (beach, theme parks, day trips to amazing places), and seeing family more often. Those are all pretty big upsides after being in the Midwest for a long stretch away from family, and with 4 boys that need to get outside more.

We see top downsides as traffic and cost of living. Housing adjustment would be a big change for us, likely shrinking our space in half.

The current job consideration would be to work in Torrance and live in Norther Orange County (like Los Alamitos area most likely). For those who have done it (or are now) with a big family...why or why not worth it?