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Paywalled, but in my experience (me and people I know) it's hard to move unless you're single. And even then, moving is a hassle in terms of household goods, p
by jleyank 3y ago
Paywalled, but in my experience (me and people I know) it's hard to move unless you're single. And even then, moving is a hassle in terms of household goods, possible residence sales/purchases and the risk of having to do it again in 2-3 years. It was trivial when leaving uni, but afterwards things grew stickier.
And once there's more than one person involved, it's quite sticky. The partner might have a career/position that's at risk if moving. Kids might be old enough or settled enough to have relationships outside the family (particularly in HS). There might be extended family situations that make moving less desirable, or the new geographic location might not be interesting or even in the same country.
In lean times, yeah, people moved for work because, work. Now, they're able to find satisfactory alternatives that don't involve moving - companies would have to pony up enough compensation (whatever form) to overcome this inertia/distaste.
- mattbrewsbytes 3y agoI relocated for a new job, pre-pandemic, and I can attest it was hard with a family. Moving before kids get to high school is less of an ordeal though. Generally speaking kids tend to have proximity friends thru elementary/middle school (grades K-8) but then have more common interest based friends going into high school. Everyone is different and some will have childhood friends from elementary for life. However, I've seen many instances when kids are funneled into larger populations (elementary to middle, middle to high) their circle of friends changes. The other element of relocating is its much nicer to be in an area growing than an area that is declining, economically speaking. If there are large pushes for "return to office" or a layoff, its much better to have many options in your area vs. a few major employers with zero growth.
- chiefalchemist 3y agoThe irony? It's the two-income household that drove up housing prices, and as you noted, taken fluidity out of labour market. And now we collectively struggle because of both.
- jleyank 3y agoWow. I'm in my 60's and have problems with this statement. How old are you? If you want to live like the 50's, better get ready for 1 car, 4 kids and 1200 sq feet houses (or less) in suburbia. And you better get rid of those robots and get companies to return salaries to 50's levels. Oh, pensions, gotta get them to do pensions again. Toss the computers also, as we need to reestablish clerical positions to give the at-home spouse something to do once the last child's in school.
- chiefalchemist 3y agoThat's not what I said. Please don't put words in my mouth. Regardless, it's Economics 101. Supply and demand. And that products can and do price based on what the market will bear. It's naive to believe we went from mainly single income households to dual (or more) and there were no side effects, no unintended consequences.
- nayuki 3y agoHousing prices rose not because of two-income households but because of housing shortages. Because homes for sale are in short supply, the homeowner can pick and choose the highest bidder.
- seadan83 3y agoThis ^ Though, I think we need to find data to support the claims in this thread. More income and more demand in housing could increase prices,but also increase the viability of building houses and just as plausibly lead to an increase in home construction.
- chiefalchemist 3y agoKeep in mind, the divorce rate as also increased. That has: Increased housing demand Limited the collective buying power of both households
- 3y ago