I've lived in California half my life. (I'm 50.) I'd move back to Oklahoma as soon as I could get packed but, I'm here because I married a California surfer way back when (still married to him) and I won't leave without him. I just live homesick.
I had an aunt who was originally from NY and relocated to Calif in the 70s. She had a daughter living in OK that convinced her to move out there in the 80s. After about a year, she moved back to Calif with the immortal words "I'd rather be a bag lady in Calif than a millionaire in OK".
People who move away Calif seem forever morose about their loss. (Yes, Mildred, you really can't just drive to the beach/mountains/park whenever you want, in any season, and in perfect sunny weather, anymore.) Then, after about 5 years (if they can make it that long), real estate prices have once again gone up so much that they're pretty much out of the game.
I have a sister who moved to TX around 7 yrs ago (yeah, the pretty "hill country" around Austin [snicker] - she would like to come back, but she knows she's done. Her house hasn't appreciated anywhere close to where it needs to be to make it back. (That being said, after each of her kids reaches 18, guess where they head?)