Quote:
Originally Posted by pspeid
For me the next question is "why?". Why do people still rush to places where many of them will never be able to afford a house?
I suppose if one's career is only supported in a certain size of city, or immediate access to an ocean or mountain is essential to someone's lifestyle, then one's choices are limited. After that, is image/reputation of the city the guiding factor in people's decisions?
Pretty much any sizeable city will have good and bad areas where crime and poverty are more or less evident. Most cities will have the usual complement of stores, restaurants, movie theatres, and the basic amenities, though the availability of top-of-the-line concert experiences may be limited. I think night-life exists in some degree or another in every sizeable city, though where one must go to find it probably differs.
I guess Im thinking like an old fart instead of a young single looking for excitement, but it seems that we spend more of our lives either at work or at home, rather than in nightclubs or restaurants. To me, "affordable housing" isn't damning with faint praise, as it were. It should be a huge positive in choosing a place to live. But, then again, "old fart" thinking, I guess...
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Even if your job falls outside of those that can only be supported in big cities, it might be the amount of opportunity within a larger urban centre that draws more people in.
To be able to find a job in my field at my pay grade, there are at most 4 organizations in the province that would offer that (including my current org.) unless I opened my own business and operated as an independent contractor. In the GTA, GVA, Montreal, and even Calgary there are probably dozens that could provide a similar role and salary (relative to COL). Yes more people to compete with, but at least there are more opportunities to try in case you fall flat on your face in the first job interview.
I think there's also the challenge with uprooting yourself once you're past your mid twenties that really dampens how much people want to move. More local family, friends all add to that resistance, and if you're married you have to consider their ability to find jobs, and any childcare if you have kids.
You made good points about city amenities and night life. Once you get north of ~150-200k, all the basics are covered. Night life might play into a young person's decision for what university to attend, but I don't think anyone past 25 would move cities just because it has better top end entertainment options. Personally, if I would find myself craving top-end night-life or better concerts, I'll just plan a vacation.
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