Not a bad idea. It may come to that anyway, perhaps not beacuse of CA, as such, but the attitude behind it. A house she would not look at in FL - too small, she'd say - would be perfectly acceptable for $100,000 + more in California, just because it's CA. The extra costs and taxes fall on deaf ears and elicit only a blank look, and probable disbelief.
We looked at areas in TX, which would have been my second choice after certain areas in FL. TX at least has reasonable prices and no state income tax. I know the real estate tax is high (were looking at waterfront in the Corpus Christi area), but it ends at that: I wouldn't have an increasing income tax as or if I earned more. JOb isn't an issue, I'm retired and derive income from investments.
May look into AZ as it is on the way, possibly the Flagstaff area, or a bit south. I'm hoiping the home prices will be in her mind when we get to CA to look around. I have to research taxes in AZ, too.
Thanks for the comments.