At least twice a month for the past 2 year I’ve had headhunters calling me to consider positions in CA, MA, NJ, NY, and Il. I tell them every time that I’m not interested in East/West Coast or the commie step-child of the Midwest because of taxes, cost of living, and over-regulation.
The usual reply I get is something along the lines of: ‘yeah, I’m hearing a lot of that’ or ‘yeah, the locals are looking to move out as well’.
I know businesses are moving as well, but I don’t think they’ve reached the rate that the people have. Eventually I don’t think they are going to have a choice if they want to find employees.
You are absolutely right. Smart people with valuable skills and/or assets are too smart to move to cazy liberal states. Productive and affluent people know well which states to avoid. Its all about the quality of life for them and their families.