True, my statement incorporates facts not in evidence. Net domestic migration to California is positive for high educational attainment (bachelors and higher) and positive for high incomes (50k/year+). It's negative for low educational and lower incomes. Basically the state attracts high earners and refuses to build housing, so someone has to leave. That's the competition.

Speaking of unsupported anecdotes, it makes sense that the people you meet in the middle of the country express a preference for being there. That's pure selection bias. In terms of revealed preference, the states that are getting more than their per-capita share of California out-migrants are Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington.