No kids but when I wanted to leave paid employment at age 42 and live off savings - yet stay close to my older parents who, like me, lived in expensive Orange County, CA. - I moved to a much less expensive part of CA. Only 100 miles away in a beautiful mountain, ski, and lake resort town. Housing, including rentals, were about one-third of the cost. So, since you aren't tied to a job, I would suggest you look for areas you like in CA. rather than move out of state if it's important to stay near your family.