Posted on 01/28/2007 9:13:55 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
New England is losing young adults at an alarming rate, according to a recently published report from the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute.
The study found that each state in New England has experienced at least a 20 percent decline in its population of 25-34- year-olds between 1990 and 2004.
Massachusetts is at the low end of the spectrum and has lost 20 percent of its young adults. Rhode Island has lost the same proportion, while Vermont and New Hampshire have lost 27, Maine 29, and Connecticut 30 percent during the period.
"The decline of the young adult population in New England has significant implications for the future labor force, economy and character in the region," according to the study.
University of New Hampshire Professor Ross Gittell, who authored the report, said the region is becoming less attractive to young people, including those in the Greater Boston area.
"I think there's a lot of evidence that limited housing availability and affordability is a strong factor for why young college grads don't choose to remain here," Gittell told the Daily.
"Boston doesn't promote itself and market itself to young people as much as other areas," Gittell said.
These other areas, which include North Carolina and Colorado, have been able to attract young adults.
With bolstered social offerings, Colorado has experienced a 17 percent growth in its young adult population and North Carolina has seen a nine percent expansion.
To see similar improvement in New England, several overlooked New England cities "need to think of more cultural amenities, such as music and clubs, to make themselves more attractive," Gittel said.
A prevailing perception of New England's urban environment as being inhospitable to young people parallels a similar trend of Boston job markets appealing predominantly to "high end, accomplished professionals".....
(Excerpt) Read more at media.www.tuftsdaily.com ...
As Massachusetts liberals move in, the smart are moving out.
Not to worry. Governor Deval will solve all problems. First he has to raise those taxes, then the solutions will follow.
Have you heard "multiple choice" Joyce's new plan to give ten grand to each graduating college student so they can use it as a down payment, as long as they stay here for five years?
See what you started, honey! :)
I suspect the biggest reason is the cost of housing is so high that beginning wage earners can't make it.
I know I did.
Unfortunately, the high cost of living forces out even the young liberals.
Even the most popular libs in Massachusetts are lucky if they get 65% of the vote. Plenty of conservatives here, we're just severely outnumbered.
They are simply adding more new liberals to conservative areas is all they are doing.
Typical liberal knee-jerk solution. Not all young adults aren't into non-stop partying. Some of them just want to start a family and find a job after graduating from college.
Here's a hint: Get rid of your high property and income tax rates and stop trying to legislate immorality. Also start building nuclear power plants for long-term energy.
New England and upstate New York are beautiful areas that should have no problem attracting people to live there.
...... limited housing availability ......
Cable TV thrives on fixing up houses. Apparently the young folks would rather buy a new house in Cary than rebuild a 120 year house in New Hampshirew/Boston.
I live in the South. To think I was upset last month for paying $1,200. I was really furious, but it was the first time we'd ever paid property taxes on a home. lol
Um, no. Some of them are freepers...
Bert,
Notice you are from Tenn, I don't think you have ever looked at buying an old home in New England to do a fix-er-upper. I never bought one while I was there, but crawled around many a structure, when I was considering purchasing a home there.
Yes I would rather a new home anywhere in the South then have to repair a multitude of sins and deal with the Building Inspectors and the Codes. From the stories of my relatives fixing one up in particular, and what I have seen, you would have a Glenn Beck reach for the Duct Tape to keep your head from exploding moment!
Don't even get me started on the number of floor substrates needed in Mass vs. NH......
Sure it does. Taxes and other liberal lunacy however, aren't given due credit.
According to the following chart, the total state and local tax burden in New Hampshire, based upon per capita income, is the second lowest of all states. Massachusetts is slightly below North Carolina and slightly above Colorado. On the other hand, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are in the top 12.
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/taxesbystate2005/index.html
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.