This week we bring you our pressing topic of the moment straight from our reader-driven discussion boards! Core77-er Variant recently had the opportunity to make the best of a bad situation—after getting laid off at his job, he decided to make a life change, and asked Core77 readers,

So what's the lay of the land in the product design market like in these post-recession times? Myself (and 27 other people in all sorts of positions) got laid off...and I'm actually looking at it as a bit of a good omen. I'd been the Sr. (and only) designer there for over three years now and got about all the experience under my belt as I feel like I could, and I've been itching to get out of Arizona as it's not really the work-life balance I'd like at this point.

I've got no regrets on the career move. It was precisely what I needed at the time, but I can't say the time I've been back here that I've enjoyed The Valley of the Sun [...] I feel like I just need to take myself somewhere else. But where to?

Designers, the question is simple: based on your personal experience or from what you've heard, where is the best place for designers to relocate and why? 

Which cities have the highest paying design jobs? Best quality of life filled with creative personalities? What are the best destinations in America? Internationally? We want to hear your thoughts!

(Also feel free to check out the original post and contribute on our discussion board!)