i live in santa monica, which in my mind is like an improved san francisco, and an improved los angeles, combined. i can always see a tiny twinge of jealousy when i tell current-SFers that i live in SM now. :)
it's not perfect but it's good for me. i have an amazing view from both home and the office, i can walk OR drive OR cab to get food/coffee/clothes/entertainment, and have access to the rest of LA if i choose to leave the sm/westside bubble.
actually, i already did that, years ago.
SF is a pain in the ass to live in, even if you have lots of money.