Somewhere Bound
One of the most fascinating American narratives is that of picking up and moving to a brand-new place. How do people choose where to live? How do they make a home there? What regrets do they have about leaving their previous homes, and how do they overcome these?
When I was writing Small Town Bound, I discovered this whole set of mobility stories. I discovered that they were fun to read on their own, not just as data to parcel out under various topics. I included numerous sidebars in that book, and I even tried to brainstorm ways of collecting more such stories. (Once you start reading them, they're addictive. But why does a book-buyer pick up such a collection at the store?)
The New York Times today found such an excuse. (Thanks to David Crisp for the link.) It apparently started as a story on how people are reacting to the real estate bubble. But I read on in fascination as people described how they up and moved to Binghamton, or Billings.
Since the story seemed to be about people looking for cheap real estate, I wish it had also noted that the cheapest real estate deals are in small towns. You give up a lot of culture living in a small town -- it's a very different experience, as I discussed at length in the book -- but surely the same has to be true about moving from greater New York to Spartanburg or Youngstown.
Anyone know how to research mobility rates abroad? I'm always interested in feedback, via info at johnclaytonbooks..ccom
When I was writing Small Town Bound, I discovered this whole set of mobility stories. I discovered that they were fun to read on their own, not just as data to parcel out under various topics. I included numerous sidebars in that book, and I even tried to brainstorm ways of collecting more such stories. (Once you start reading them, they're addictive. But why does a book-buyer pick up such a collection at the store?)
The New York Times today found such an excuse. (Thanks to David Crisp for the link.) It apparently started as a story on how people are reacting to the real estate bubble. But I read on in fascination as people described how they up and moved to Binghamton, or Billings.
Since the story seemed to be about people looking for cheap real estate, I wish it had also noted that the cheapest real estate deals are in small towns. You give up a lot of culture living in a small town -- it's a very different experience, as I discussed at length in the book -- but surely the same has to be true about moving from greater New York to Spartanburg or Youngstown.
Anyone know how to research mobility rates abroad? I'm always interested in feedback, via info at johnclaytonbooks..ccom
