Also keep in mind, if you want the Northwest with better food and more to do, you could just move to the Seattle area a few hours south. I mean any of us who live here could have told you there’s nothing to do in bellingham 
Johnny L. A., it sounds like you have already made up your mind, and good for you.
I left LA to move to Las Vegas and haven’t looked back. But I liked LA a lot and have no regrets about living there…the film industry helped me buy my nice house in Las Vegas!
The biggest reason to live in LA is for a career in the film industry. Most everything else can be done anywhere in the world.
You are interested in the film industry.
So…go where the work and opportunity is.
Sometimes a break from LA is exactly what you need so you can return and focus on what is important and not worry about traffic and high rent for crappy apartment.
Just go, do what needs to get done, make a ton of money and some fame, and then retire up north, or get a nice condo in Las Vegas.
I was in Bellingham yesterday, if in fact that is where you live. We couldn’t get over how many women were there. In the downtown, by the water area, women galore, everywhere. I saw 10 women to 1 guy. Whats up with that. It was a very charming town though.
I’m in Birch Bay, but Bellingham is where I do most of my stuff. (And the studio is there.)
I’ve never been very good at meeting women. 
Sounds like you are thinking things through rationally. I tend to pick up and move on a whim, not always a good thing to do, but that’s why we call it bipolar.
It would be really cool to meet you someday at an LA Dopefest. You and Mr. beckwall (feh, a pox on him currently but subject to change) is a video editor, producer and writer for PBS and medical infomercial type programs. He loved the book you recommended, Rebel Without a Crew. I think you and he would find a lot to talk about. And I read all your posts, which makes me feel like I know you already.
Hope to see you down here someday soon, if that’s the best route for you.
Producer, eh? If he ever needs crew, I hope he’ll keep me in mind! 
I’m glad he liked the book. It’s a very inspiring story. Gets me jazzed up every time I read it!