Americans are moving less than ever before

[brooklynite]

Curbed

The United States has historically been a country with a high rate of mobility, as cities used their unique job markets to attract new residents, and young couples bought new houses to accommodate children. But this might be changing.

That’s according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau that show domestic migration has hit a new all-time low in 2019 of 9.8 percent of the population. This follows decades of steady declines. During the 1960s, 20 percent of Americans moved to a new residence each year. In 2019, less than 10 percent of Americans did.

And while the drivers of these declines have evolved and changed through the years, the current drop is being driven by millennials, who are delaying life stages that typically prompt someone to move, such as buying a house, getting married, and having kids.

“The national trend [of declines in domestic migration] is especially reflected among millennials or young adults,” said William Frey of the Brookings Institute. “That’s what’s driving the real overall decline in migration.”

[Doremus]

1. It takes money to move and young people are too busy working 3 jobs

and paying off student loans.

It's a shame the mess we've left them with.

[Aristus]

2. People used to move for job opportunities.

If the only job opportunity awaiting you after an expensive move is a low-paying entry-level job, what's the point?

[Raftergirl]

3. My kid

is on his third apartment in Boston in 4 years. Nothing to do with expense, instead better location for job and the latest move is because he didn’t want roommates anymore. Just when I learn the best ways to get to his place, he moves! He won’t be leaving Boston in the next three years either since his company is paying for him to get his Executive MBA, and that is worth too much in future salary to leave his present job and go to another company.