At least 12% unemployment, probably more like 18-20 real unemployment, and 25% underemployment, state finances at Greek level absurdities of debt and obligations and gridlock, therefore, rising taxes on all levels, an enormous backlog of foreclosures being held by banks, an even bigger shadow inventory of mortgage resets coming on line as we speak, and ridiculous bubble prices in LA and SF markets actually being re-inflated with your taxpayer dollars. I have this guy bookmarked and read it a lot
http://www.doctorhousingbubble.com/ , and the kind of stuff that goes for half a million dollars is absurd. I'm guessing that anybody making even an upper middle class income just wants to move out of there, as they have been doing for years now, just so they don't have to spend so much of their income on housing and sitting in traffic. Much like many places in the NY metro area.
But, you know, it's California. I started thinking it was bizarre when I watched Charlie Manson and Ronald Reagan rise. It must be the water.