California tops list of best states to live in U.S.

A beachgoer is seen at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California in this September 5, 2007 file photo. Sunshine and beaches were top priorities for Americans who chose California, Florida and Hawaii as the most desirable states to live in the United States while New York was voted the most desirable city.

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Sunshine and beaches were top priorities for Americans who chose California, Florida and Hawaii as the most desirable states to live in the United States while New York was voted the most desirable city.

California was the No. 1 state for the fifth consecutive year in the Harris Poll while Florida has been in the top three since the survey started a decade ago.

"We all dream about vacations and isn't that where we dream about?" said Regina Corso, the director of the Harris Poll, referring to the sunshine states.

"When we ask people to pick any state in the country to live in this is where their mind goes first ... this is where I would spend my time if I wasn't working," she added.

North Carolina, Colorado, Texas, New York, Arizona and Oregon rounded out the top nine states in the poll of 2,694 adults, while Washington, Tennessee and Virginia tied for the 10th spot.

"Colorado comes in the top five, I guess, for the skiers out there," Corso added.

Hawaii was the favorite state for baby boomers, people aged 43-61, but for all other ages California was the state where they wanted to live most.

East and west coast locations were also among the top spots when people were asked which city would they would live in or near, apart from the one where they reside now.

New York, followed by San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco and Las Vegas won the most votes.

Corso said she was not surprised most people selected New York because of all the city has to offer.

"Where else can you get the night life, the shopping, the restaurants? Well, here. (They think) if I could live anywhere it would be great because I would never get bored," she explained.

"If you look at all of these cities, these are ones that have great airports and you can get to and from places pretty easily."

Other cities in the top 10, which also reflected the state choices, included Orlando, Honolulu, Phoenix, Denver and Los Angeles.