Most people I know trying to leave are in their 30's and 40's and realize that even a 15% pay cut means more buying power most other places. I am a turbine generator tester, we have lost about 30% of our workforce for this reason. I am also looking to leave the state sometime this year, but I'm not taking a pay cut, found a bigger house and my budgeted cost of living between food, electricity, insurance and taxes will be about 40% less in Charleston.