Americans Moving Less, Getting Rooted

28 January 2010 - 5:00am

In the 1950s, nearly 1/5 of Americans moved each year. That trend is quickly reversing. Americans are now staying put in greater numbers than at any time since World War II, and experts have plenty of opinions on why that is.

From the recession and lack of jobs to a new sense of community ties and rootedness, Americans are choosing to stay put and delay moving for a wide variety of reasons. A panel of experts including urbanist Richard Florida, economist Lawrence Katz, sociologist Katherine Newman, and demographer Peter Francese weighs in on what's tying Americans down, whether or not it will last, and what it all means for communities.

From Richard Florida: "One consequence of this is a new kind of class divide in America between the 'mobile' who have the resources and flexibility to pursue economic opportunity and the 'stuck' who are tied to places with weaker economies or where their personal economic prospects are more limited."

Source: New York Times, January 10, 2010
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One of the keys to regional and local prosperity is the ability to attract and retain high-skilled people. ... Many people can, and do, choose where they want to live based on factors beyond their ability to make a living.