It sucks that you are getting priced out. If you want a liberal culture, you'll be hard pressed to find one that isn't expensive. Big city liberal places cost. I moved from Tucson to Arkansas 2 years ago for the same reasons, only it was heat and drought instead of fire and money. But I couldn't afford living near amenities like a university, big-city Whole Foods/Coffee Houses, art cinema, etc. I could afford a natural setting, quiet, planned community with an older crowd, near Hot Springs, a delightful little town. If you don't mind the cold, might I suggest Fairfield IA? Lots of TM followers. But if you like it warm...I'm not optimistic about your chances of being both liberal and affordable. Then again, you are on the California scale so maybe you can afford more. Best of luck to you, but if you can't find a liberal come to Hot Springs Village. It's beautiful and Californians and Texans have been coming this way en masse lately.