In the late 80’s/early 90’s everyone from CA was leaving to go to Seattle and Portland. (No state income tax in WA, no sales tax in OR.) Houses were much more affordable… as with any supply & demand – housing prices promptly went up… pissing off the locals. (I was someone who moved up North at the time – to take a job… I’d been downsized here in San Diego… took me 12 years to get back to my native San Diego.)
There will always be people moving out of California and into California.
I’ve lived in San Diego, Bellingham, WA, Philadelphia, and Atlanta… I liked them all except Atlanta. ALL of them were cheaper than San Diego. But only San Diego has the beaches and year round weather.