Posted on 05/04/2014 5:36:43 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
While every state has at least some residents who are looking for greener pastures; as Gallup reports, nowhere is the desire to move more prevalent than in Illinois and Connecticut. In both of these states, about half of residents say that if given the chance to move to a different state, they would like to do so (against an average 33% of all Americans who would prefer to live in another state than their own). The 'greenest pasture' or least disliked, according to Gallup, is Hawaii and Montana (where only 23% would prefer to leave). The biggest factor driving the desire to leave the current state - unsurprisingly - jobs (or business opportunities)... and Nevada residents (thank you Harry Reid) the most anxious to leave in the next 12 months.
These findings are from a 50-state Gallup poll, conducted June-December 2013, which includes at least 600 representative interviews with residents aged 18 and older in each state. Gallup measured residents' interest in moving out of state by asking, "Regardless of whether you will move, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move to another state, or would you rather remain in your current state?"
Thirty-three percent of residents want to move to another state, according to the average of the 50 state responses. Seventeen states come close to that 50-state average. Another 16 are above the average range, including three showing an especially high desire to move. In fact, in these three -- Illinois, Connecticut, and Maryland -- roughly as many residents want to leave as want to stay.
At the other end of the spectrum, 17 states are home to a below-average percentage of residents wanting to leave. This includes the previously mentioned six states -- Montana, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Texas -- where fewer than one in four want to move, the lowest level recorded.
In the same poll, Gallup asked state residents how likely it is they will move in the next 12 months. On average across all 50 states, 6% of state residents say it is extremely or very likely they will move in the next year, 8% say it is somewhat likely, 14% not too likely, and 73% not likely at all.
The combined percentages reporting they are extremely, very, or somewhat likely to move out of state ranges from 8% in Maine, Iowa, and Vermont to 20% in Nevada.
With the biggest motivating factor to leave being work/jobs...
State leaders have important reasons for wanting to see their state populations grow rather than shrink. A growing population usually means more commerce, more economic vitality, and a bigger tax base to pay for state services. A shrinking population not only hurts government coffers, but can weaken a state politically by virtue of the potential loss of U.S. House members through redistricting every 10 years.
...
Nevada, Illinois, Maryland, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Connecticut all appear particularly vulnerable to losing population in the coming few years: high percentages of their residents say they would leave if they could, and larger-than-average percentages say they are at least somewhat likely to do so in the coming year. At the other end of the spectrum, Texas, Minnesota, and Maine have little to fear. Residents of these states are among the least likely to want to leave and few are planning to leave in the next 12 months.
If these states sound familiar to readers of Gallup's previous 50-state poll articles, it's because several of them also appear at the top or bottom of the states for resident satisfaction with state taxes, state government, and overall perceptions of how their state compares to others as a place to live.
The little frogies have noticed the water is getting hot and think another part of the pot is safer!
Stay put. Y’all made your bed.
Re: South Carolina. Those who plan/hope to leave, we hope it’s the yankees who came here seeking warmer weather but hoping to change things to “the way we did it up north.” Nobody wants to leave the south to go live up north. There’s a reason for that. Assimilate or leave, and quit talking through your nose.
Stay and fight!
I’m real sorry but a poll of 600 spread over 50 states is right about meaningless. I may have the spelling wrong.
Surprising to me is Idaho. Reasons for leaving: bad weather and bad schools.
Not buying this poll about Nevada, The only ones that cant wait to leave are the Californians who moved to Las Vegas during the housing boom, and now cant stand Nevada. Too much freedom I guess lol Those of us that live out of the Vegas area love it here.
Viewing from 160 miles away, I could never understand Chicago.
High prices, lousy weather, and high taxes.
The trifecta of despair.
10 million people in the msa....
I live in SC and love it.
is there a short explanation for why Nevadans want to leave? we;ve been considering moving there
thanks!~
They are quickly ruining Virginia, as you probably know. We now have Rat senators, governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. With the continuing inflow of Yankees into northern Virginia to feast off the largess of the Federal Government, there is no hope for this state.
I really love Texas and am glad I brought my Conservative sensibilities with me from now dying California.
But I do remember reading about people who let SoCal who moved back from homesickness.
I sort of understand it. I was born and raised in SoCal and now I miss so much. The beach was 30 minutes (off rush hour). I had Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knotts, the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro’s, and so much more at my fingertips.
And the weather was a narcotic.
I do get homesick. The first time I did the “Soarin’” ride at Universal FLA I literally cried (especially when we flow over Malibu and I saw my prior home of Point Dume).
Wistfulness be damned, though, in Texas it is about the people. So much more friendly and helpful than the self-centered Los Angelenos. And their stubbornness is a great thing — Texans bow to NO ONE and will tie your ass to a trailer hitch in the noon sun if you try to make them.
On balance, I made a great choice and I would never take it back. I am an honorary Texan now and in a few years I hope to develop the piss and vinegar to make it all the way.
“600 representative interviews with residents aged 18 and older in each state.”
Article says AT LEAST 600 FROM EACH STATE.
Well, we have to sleep in it regardless.
I came to Illinois for a good job with a Fortune 50 company and it’s a nice place to live. (Yes, I know there is snow. I like snow). Republican Governors served from 1977 through 1999 and the statehouse was in relatively good shape. George Ryan, also a Republican, served until 2003 and then went to jail. Blago took over in 2003 and served til 2009, then went to jail.
Out of the 26 years I’ve lived in IL, Republicans ran things for 16 and Democrats 10.
And I made this bed, how?
The problem in Illinois is, over the past 10 years it’s come under one party rule. (I needn’t point out which party) A supermajority in the Legislature, the Governorship, and gerrymandered districts to keep it that way.
Democrats control the
I am considering moving to a suburb (Simpsonville or Mauldron) in the Greenville, SC area. I heard nice things about SC. It’ll be hard to leave WI though but the winters are taking its toll and I’m stuck in a stagnant job.
” The beach was 30 minutes (off rush hour). I had Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knotts, the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro’s, and so much more at my fingertips.”
Gee, you just described my daily itinerary LOL. Compared to the cold and depressing ex-home Vancouver BC, this is heaven..weather-wise. The people, culture and liberal crap ruins it for me.
RE: is there a short explanation for why Nevadans want to leave?
Here’s a question in reverse, other than the cheap housing, no state taxes, what’s there in Nevada for you?
Jobs? Nope.
Less government? 84% of the land is owned by the Federal government.
Culture? How many illegals are there?
Then of course, there’s the people you continually vote in Harry Reid...
Overall, I only see minuses.
Maryland is beyond hope.
The influx of Yankees into Virginia in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865 may have been less harmful than the current invasion.
I live in Greer (Greenville area) and it is really nice. Nice people, nice homes that don’t cost a fortune (yet), and we are getting a Bass Pro Shop!
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