1. California has the strongest non-compete laws in the nation, was this something that influenced your decision?
2. California has IP laws which are to the effect that "what you create in your own time with your own resources cannot be used by your employer" (disclaimer IANAL). This has a grey area for large FAANG type employers that can enter any domain, but Bay-Area has lots of companies doing amazing things. So it opens up opportunities to start new companies in new frontiers.
The above two are still major factors that are preventing me from leaving California at least despite the high taxes, rents etc...
Bay-Area is still the best place w.r.t to getting investment and finding interesting tech-companies.
I'm curious what thoughts others have here.