Looks like a foggy view from the valleys here without all the diverse cities, towns, sites to be close enough to drive to. A lot of people here invested wisely in companies they worked at or they invested in others in the tech/bio/whatever field and did well for themselves. So they have a comfortable life here and great view, great year-round weather and the rest. As for real estate, timing is everything. We could up and move for a cheaper home or less in taxes but know we’d be selling out for that and regret it in the end. Have several friends who sold and moved out of state for family, work or retirement reasons and they have occasionally told us they wish they hadn’t but now can’t afford to move back. People adjust and make due wherever they live and hopefully live a happy life but most still dream of living in California.