OP specifically mentioned California or I would't have contributed. I'm not sure that talk about NJ/Midwest/etc. is that relevant.
Carmen: I am surprised what you say about San Diego. Growing up there it was a very community oriented experience -- with people generally having close neighbourly relations whatever area they lived in. Kids at SD high schools very much identify themselves by which part of town they came from. My dad still feels strong community links where he lives (south Mission). Maybe a lot has changed, though, since I actually lived there. (shrug)
I think you'd find a notice cultural differences moving to Northern California: much more left-wing politically*, more intellectual, more awareness of environmental issues, less materialistic. The reverence for San Francisco drives me crazy (it's just another city, guys). And the vote against gay marriage made me feel hugely disappointed in California, too.
The state really is facing huge budget cuts, though. And urbanisation/expansion proceeds at a frightful pace (if that type of thing bothers you).
Healthcare anecdote: 3 adult relatives living with mental illness disability. They live on benefits in decent apartments in decent neighbourhoods, they have enough income to pay for basic clothing, food and electricity and even some Christmas presents (confirming what SofiaAmes said). But their budgets don't extend to running a car. Did I mention that living in SoCal with a car is awkward? And 2 of them have raised children mostly using just their bus pass did I mention how difficult that can be in SoCal? One SIL hasn't talked to her son's high school counsellor he's getting straight As and should be college bound, but it's a 2+ hour bus ride each way and she can't face it with her unpredictable health problems (can flare up between morning and afternoon).
Other SIL needs a hip replacement: she can get that done anytime, but her medicare doesn't cover Dental. She's been told for Hip replacement to be a success she should have all major dental work done first. She allowed herself to become almost crippled (she can barely walk a few feet unaided) before resorting to "borrowing" the money for the dental work from a relative. Now she's waiting for dental work to be completed... then she can finally get hip done, and hopefully will be mobile again a few months after that (maybe 4 months from now).
Oh, and did I mention that she's supposed to be functioning unable to walk unaided more than 10 feet, with only a bus pass? She's lucky, though, other relatives have helped her out with access to car.
See, the health/social care safety net is there, but it doesn't work very humanely.