Arizona is getting alot of first time home buyers and retirees.
I went and looked at new houses a year ago and seriously debated making the move to the Phoenix area.(Gilbert ,Chandler)
Problem is I love AZ but CA is still better.
I was third generation CA. It was hard for me to leave as well. But we were having twins and needed a bigger home. Could not afford $10,000 a year in property taxes and a $800,000 home. To each his own I guess.