CNBC has one of those cute little studies looking at where young (26-35) workers earning $200K or more are moving to and from. This is interesting because it looks at the geographic/economic/social preferences of the young and successful.
First, what they found ranking states by the net migration (inflow - outflow = net) they've experienced. Here they are in descending order: FL,TX, NJ, CO, NC, CT, WA, TN, AZ, and SC.
What I found most interesting was to look at the outflow numbers of states obviously attracting plenty of inflow. I asked myself if I could guess what triggered the "buyers' remorse' in these places. The four states with really significant outflows of the successful young were in descending order: NJ, WA, TX, and FL
I don't know NJ well, though I've driven through it a few times. I remember if being flat, and some smelling bad from chemicals or whatever. It's corruption is somewhat legendary, and Atlantic City is no Vegas, not even a Reno, maybe a Laughlin. The politics run blue.
Coastal WA where most of the population lives, has short beautiful summers and is overcast and rainy most of the rest of the time. Think Twin Peaks weather - gray skies and wet streets.
If you have any propensity for depression, WA will accentuate it. There's a reason they love coffee, stimulants are essential. Politics are very blue, but oddly there is no state income tax.
Texans are genial, superficially pleasant people, easy to talk to. On the other hand, their friendship circles tend to be limited to the members of their church, where they spend a significant portion of the hours not required for work or sleep.
If they know you're new a Texan may invite to their church, if you say "no, thanks" it will probably be the last invite you get. The politics, outside 3-4 big cities, are very red, no state income tax.
Florida is flat, winter weather is spectacular, comparatively dry, and overrun with tourists. Summers are hot, wet, and so buggy they build cages over pools, Predators run to gators and crocs, and malaria is making a comeback. Thunder and lightning are normal and expected.
After years of purple, the FL politics are recently bright red - think DeSantis, Rubio, and Scott." Woke" and those it seeks to protect are not catered to, but no state income tax.
In case you aren't au courant with "left coast" doings, WA and CO are where liberals fleeing CA go. Conservatives fleeing CA mostly go to TX, TN and AZ.
Both kinds go to NV, which is next door and has no state income tax. NV politics are newly purple, in 2022 Nevada elected a D to the Senate and a R as governor.
