I still would feel safe and like the government isn't out there to make my life hell in CA. People's life get ruined by the state just for the fun of it in many other places, especially anywhere in the south like arkansas, texas, missisipi,etc... the cruelty is just overwhelming.

When I first saw the long encampment of homeless people in venice/santa monica (and LA in general) it felt horrible but then I am wondering if those people are better off than poor folks in some other states.

Yes, most of my life. CA is the best place I have been to in the world but I think locals get used to the nature, climate and nice politicians too much so they complain. The people part you are right, always overcrowded but still most coastal folks are nice (regardless of sincerity) central/valley and eastern folk are more like texans but not quite as much imo