Wealth Shift

[2forISU]

Interesting article concerning the shift of wealth in this county to the Southeast. As someone who has lived in the Northeast, I can't blame companies/individuals leaving for better weather and cheaper COL.

A $100 Billion Wealth Migration Tilts US Economy’s Center of Gravity South

Some 2.2 million people moved to the Southeast in just over two years. That’s roughly the population of Houston.

www.bloomberg.com

 

[BMWallace]

Interesting article concerning the shift of wealth in this county to the Southeast. As someone who has lived in the Northeast, I can't blame companies/individuals leaving for better weather and cheaper COL.

A $100 Billion Wealth Migration Tilts US Economy’s Center of Gravity South

Some 2.2 million people moved to the Southeast in just over two years. That’s roughly the population of Houston.

www.bloomberg.com

Companies are shifting to find cheaper labor and a lower tax burden.

Also, the idea of better weather is relative. I always like this map of mean center of population over time. The population moves west with western expansion and migration in the 19th century, but begins to move south after the invention of modern AC by Willis Carrier (Carrier Corp. founded in 1915). I don't think the shift south happens without widespread adoption of air conditioners.

 

[isufanz1]

I have found this migration fascinating. People (in droves) moving south as we are in the throes of climate change. Average temp is only going to increase in South East/South West with water becoming a big issue in the Southwest. Texas having record heat which is buckling their tired/old electrical grid. Just waiting for the hands to come out from all these folks begging for government money to help fund new water sources, prevent rising water levels, and improvements required to the electrical grid to cope with the increase in population and temperature. No thanks; I will be planning on moving the opposite direction - further North.

 

[Gonzo]

I have found this migration fascinating. People (in droves) moving south as we are in the throes of climate change. Average temp is only going to increase in South East/South West with water becoming a big issue in the Southwest. Texas having record heat which is buckling their tired/old electrical grid. Just waiting for the hands to come out from all these folks begging for government money to help fund new water sources, prevent rising water levels, and improvements required to the electrical grid to cope with the increase in population and temperature. No thanks; I will be planning on moving the opposite direction - further North.

Not to mention:

 

[2forISU]

Companies are shifting to find cheaper labor and a lower tax burden.

Also, the idea of better weather is relative. I always like this map of mean center of population over time. The population moves west with western expansion and migration in the 19th century, but begins to move south after the invention of modern AC by Willis Carrier (Carrier Corp. founded in 1915). I don't think. the shift south happens without widespread adoption of air conditioners.

You don't think weather plays a factor? I have numerous colleagues that left NYC and Jersey and they all mention the better weather. It plays a part, but there is handful of other factors, too.

Why are Americans moving south?

One part cost of living, one part politics

theweek.com

 

[dmclone]

I have found this migration fascinating. People (in droves) moving south as we are in the throes of climate change. Average temp is only going to increase in South East/South West with water becoming a big issue in the Southwest. Texas having record heat which is buckling their tired/old electrical grid. Just waiting for the hands to come out from all these folks begging for government money to help fund new water sources, prevent rising water levels, and improvements required to the electrical grid to cope with the increase in population and temperature. No thanks; I will be planning on moving the opposite direction - further North.

Not me. I've spent 50+ years living with hot and humid summers and cold winters. When I retire, I'm heading straight for the desert (NV, AZ,CA) and assume that I'll not run out of water for the remaining 15 years of my life.

 

[Cyched]

You don't think weather plays a factor? I have numerous colleagues that left NYC and Jersey and they all mention the better weather. It plays a part, but there is handful of other factors, too.

People migrating to warmer weather has been a longstanding trend since technology made hotter climates more hospitable, as @BMWallace alluded to.

Covid seems to have accelerated these trends along with other factors that are probably best hashed out in the cave.

 

[Clonehomer]

Will be interesting to see how the severe weather patterns affect this shift. With more and more difficulty in insuring property in Florida, are companies going to essentially self insure their facilities? I just don't how this will be sustainable.

 

[KennyPratt42]

You don't think weather plays a factor? I have numerous colleagues that left NYC and Jersey and they all mention the better weather. It plays a part, but there is handful of other factors, too.

Why are Americans moving south?

One part cost of living, one part politics

theweek.com

In my experience, people I know that have moved to Arizona or Southern California always list the weather as one of the main reasons they moved after the fact. But prior to moving what I hear are things like moving for a job, 'getting a new start', etc. People that live in a warm/sunny climate like to talk about it, similar to how tall people like to mention being tall.

 

[madguy30]

I have found this migration fascinating. People (in droves) moving south as we are in the throes of climate change. Average temp is only going to increase in South East/South West with water becoming a big issue in the Southwest. Texas having record heat which is buckling their tired/old electrical grid. Just waiting for the hands to come out from all these folks begging for government money to help fund new water sources, prevent rising water levels, and improvements required to the electrical grid to cope with the increase in population and temperature. No thanks; I will be planning on moving the opposite direction - further North.

First bolded: I do believe there's plenty of water (rivers, streams etc.) in the SE so it makes sense in that aspect.

Second bolded: it's early but I'm already seeing this. Living is cheaper in northern WI but it's getting more expensive and the assumption is over time (hopefully after I'm gone) that the west and south shores of Lake Superior are going to become a magnet.

 

[BMWallace]

You don't think weather plays a factor? I have numerous colleagues that left NYC and Jersey and they all mention the better weather. It plays a part, but there is handful of other factors, too.

Why are Americans moving south?

One part cost of living, one part politics

theweek.com

Oh, I'm not saying weather isn't a factor, just that "better" is subjective. My point was more that modern air conditioning has made living in areas of the south far more tolerable.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I have found this migration fascinating. People (in droves) moving south as we are in the throes of climate change. Average temp is only going to increase in South East/South West with water becoming a big issue in the Southwest. Texas having record heat which is buckling their tired/old electrical grid. Just waiting for the hands to come out from all these folks begging for government money to help fund new water sources, prevent rising water levels, and improvements required to the electrical grid to cope with the increase in population and temperature. No thanks; I will be planning on moving the opposite direction - further North.

Also “tornado alley” is shifting East and South as well.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Will be interesting to see how the severe weather patterns affect this shift. With more and more difficulty in insuring property in Florida, are companies going to essentially self insure their facilities? I just don't how this will be sustainable.

They're all made from concrete blocks now. The buildings are pretty sound. Might have to do mold remediation or tear giant African snails off the stucco though.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Gonna get real interesting as more a more insurance companies refuse to cover the areas that regularly get hit with hurricanes and flooding. Those numbers will be moving north here in 5-10 years

 

[bos]

Not me. I've spent 50+ years living with hot and humid summers and cold winters. When I retire, I'm heading straight for the desert (NV, AZ,CA) and assume that I'll not run out of water for the remaining 15 years of my life.

Tempted myself. Humidity jacks with my sinuses so thinking of heading to Arizona someday.

 

[carvers4math]

One of my sons moved from FL to NJ. Bucking the trend.

 

[Clonehomer]

Tempted myself. Humidity jacks with my sinuses so thinking of heading to Arizona someday.

Better invest in bottled water companies. The droughts aren't going to stop and eventually people will realize that our species never really evolved to live in a desert.

 

[dmclone]

Better invest in bottled water companies. The droughts aren't going to stop and eventually people will realize that our species never really evolved to live in a desert.

"eventually"

 

[Bigman38]

Not to mention:

View attachment 114069

For some reason I've talked about this a lot lately. I can remember maybe once or twice going to the basement in the last 2-3 years, it used to be 2-3 times a year. Meanwhile people I know in North Texas are having tornados semi regularly now.

Randomly I also have a coworker in Denver that said they had one come through a couple weeks ago.

 

[bos]

Better invest in bottled water companies. The droughts aren't going to stop and eventually people will realize that our species never really evolved to live in a desert.

I can live off of cactus and lizards.