The smart, risk-taking people came to California because that is where all of the other similar people are. The first ones came here because for a while California had some of the best infrastructure and education system in the nation. Bar none. Prep 13 pretty much ended that dream and now we suffer through the consequent boom or bust state finance cycles, a dysfunctional statewide political system that entrenches political extremists, and an equally moronic voter initiative system that ends up causing more and more damage every year.

While there was a large net exodus in 2008 (and a similar one in 2000-2001) there were also massive inflows prior to the economic downturns associated with those years.