Where in the US, is life actually close to high quality. East Coast, West, South, etc?

What you are describing really does exist, out west along the Pacific Coast. Northern California, Western Oregon and Western Washington. While all cities have problems, there are a number of smaller pleasant cities around the region that you might like. Eugene, Oregon is nice, Seattle WA is great too. Eureka California is a wonderful place. Also along Highway 101 by the Redwoods is beautiful along the coast and the weather isn�t as horrible as out east, nor as rainy like the Washington Coast.