I suppose the idea is to work in SV for a couple years while you're still young and healthy, rack up as much cash as you can while living quite frugally, then move to a cheaper place, buy a house for cash (or at least have a solid downpayment), and have no problem finding a job since you have X years of relevant experience at top-tier companies.
The result of fleeing middle class is that you have a city with a strange mix of very wealthy individuals (who can afford the high COL) and very poor people (who cannot afford to move out).
The result of fleeing middle class is that you have a city with a strange mix of very wealthy individuals (who can afford the high COL) and very poor people (who cannot afford to move out).