Best city in U.S. to live in?

I've lived in Northern Virginia for 15 years and I'm getting ready to graduate college. I want a new experience but I'm going to be a journalist making little money, so I'm concerned about what I'll be able to afford. I love the heat but I am not completely against moving north. I really like the suburbs of San Francisco when I visited. Is there anywhere inexpensive/ tolerable in Calif.? Suggestions?

I grew up in the suburbs of SF, in Walnut Creek, but it's pretty damn expensive there and everywhere in the Bay Area. If you like the heat then the Central Valley is pretty hot in summer and is one of the cheapest parts of Ca to live in but not one of the best. Sacramento is a decent city and close to the Bay Area and mountains. It's much cheaper than the Bay Area but is close to much of what Northern Ca has to offer.

SoCal is nice in some parts and the weather is the best along the coast. I live in San Diego now and love it, the weather is perfect here and I love the beach but it's pricey. It's still cheaper than the bay area and LA and worth it to me.