CA is facing a mass exodus right now. Why on Earth would anyone willingly move there with costs being what they are?
I left 10 years ago and will never go back. I can earn just as much with a cost of living being half of that in any number of states.
> Most people in California—who are, after all, themsleves outside of Silicon Valley, which is a small piece of the state—are well aware of that.
I grew up there and no they aren't aware of it. SV isn't a small part of the state. Its the entire middle of it since hardly anyone who works there can live there. They have to commute for hours from all around.
The other half is in LA county with the same delusions. The populace out side of those areas is tiny in comparison.