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[WoodCy]

I've lived in OR, PA, WI, and now back home in IA. I would move but only for the wife's job. I would head back west in a heartbeat. All the years of sales have started to sour me on people in general. Less is more now and I love the outdoors, hunting and fishing. We won't move because my kids are young and it is better to be close to family.

I would strongly disagree with "coasters" moving more so than midwesterners. All of the folks I know from NYC and Chicago tend to stay home. That is true for a large number of the people from the major metro areas on the coasts. People from outside of those areas will move all over the place.

It is also funny how people from certain areas tend to migrate to the same places. People from Pittsburgh that leave tend to end up in North Carolina or Atlanta. A large number of New Yorkers ended up in Florida. A number of Oregonians ended up in California.If I had a nickel for every Iowan that moved to Texas, I'd have more than a couple bucks in my pocket.

 

[0u812]

Interesting comments here.....I moved to Oregon directly out of school (ISU) and havent looked back. I think my need for a job was the no brainer at the time, but since the advantages of being out west far outweighs coming back to the midwest. Mountains, the coast, desert, skiing/snoboarding, all sort of good opportunities here, primarily outdoors. From my house the bay area, Reno, Boise, Portland, and all sorts of other smaller towns and cities are a days drive at the most.

Cost of living is critical, and its not what you make, its what you keep. I live in a relatively small town here in southern Oregon, and its a world of difference in Portland, and especially the bay area. I enjoy the people here, as they are somewhat like Iowans (not quite as friendly and conservative). Great beer, excellent outdoor activities, and good people....what I like best.

I am glad I gave it a shot, but could see myself back in Iowa again someday....just not for a while (am 43 yrs old).

 

[Colorado]

Moving back to the midwest is a nightmare scenario and is a non-starter. Have to have mountains.

 

[cjs24]

When we lived in Wichita we liked it but didn't love it. There is plenty to do there but we struggled to make friends (Iowa State grads that we started to do game watches with) until the last few months there sadly. Now being back in CR around all of our family and more long time friends we partially wish we could go back and have debated it but the 8 hour drive all of hour family and longtime friends has kept us here thus far. If I were to get laid off again or not like my job Wichita will be the first place we look outside of CR and DSM. Pay is also key. The pay would have to increase enough to replace my wife's in home daycare income so she can be a stay at home mom until our kids are in school.

When I was laid off in Wichita and the job opportunities were slim to none (the downfall of putting 620 people in the job market in one day) our goals were DSM, KC and CR in that order. Mostly we wanted to be closer to family and friends but the wealth of opportunities both work and free time are so much more available in DSM and KC then especially CR. Our son was born a month after I was laid off so that wasn't a huge factor.

Your comment about pay increasing enough for my wife to be a stay at home mom is my exact thinking. She also does in home day care but I have always hoped to be able to provide enough financially for her to solely focus on our children when we have them. And even then, there's about 4 locations we would consider. Phoenix, Dallas area, Kansas City, or back home to the farm.

 

[ruxCYtable]

It would take very little for me to relocate. I'm sorry, but I've grown to hate living in Iowa.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

No wife, no kids, no parents, don't talk to my siblings. Sooo not much.

I travel for my job and get to see a bunch of cities plus lived in Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Charleston, SC for my internships. Now I live in Dallas. I'll live just about anywhere and can enjoy it. Haven't found a city yet that I wouldn't mind living in. Except Bartlesville, Oklahoma. **** that place.

Been setting up job alerts for Europe, Singapore, and Japan within my company. Never pulled the trigger and applied though. One day