The biggest reasons that were cited include high property taxes and the cost of living.
Sounds like somebody here with whom I'm cyber-acquainted.
High property taxes drive a lot of people out of their communities. You'd think county officials would get a clue, eventually.
California's Proposition 13 stopped greedy county officials from doing exactly what your first sentence states. And contrary to your second sentence, CA government officials have been trying ever since to weasel their way around it or otherwise weaken it. IOW, for 41 years, California government people have demonstrated they are impervious to clues.