not sure of your intent; but no, I reside in beautiful and bountiful Stockton California; the HEART of foreclosures, unemployment, states worst test scores re education; high crime; the city is considering filing for bankruptcy; etc.... YET - MY life (knock on wood) is GREAT - and if I didn't read the paper or listen to the news I'd think I live in a great community.
Additionally; we are 90 minutes from San Francisco; a little over two hours to Tahoe or Yosemite; less than two hours to Monterey; and 3 hours to north California Coast ... a great location to get out of!