I've enjoyed your posts dating back to our GSB days. My wife and I made the move out of Chicagoland earlier this year and we are now living on the other side of Lake Michigan in Western MI. I was following a PE opportunity, but having two kids starting at U of M also factored into the decision. We are enjoying the lower taxes and more relaxed pace of living but I miss the Italian beef!
I have appreciated your posts, first becoming acquainted on Points and Figures and now following you on substack. I am a Minnesotan though marriage and unfortunately am tied to the state despite not being a fan of winters due to 5 of our 6 children settling in the Twin Cities. Since moving to MN 28 years ago, I have been a more than less frustrated conservative amongst what I’ve considered a sea of liberals. I am curious as to your optimism in your statement “it’s probably futile to fight except in the case of Minnesota which might be changing.”? I feel like its been an exercise in futility for me working against the liberal populous Twin Cities with sparsely populated conservative rural areas.
Two congresspeople that were historically Democratic flipped. Minnesota has elected Republican Senators and Governors in the last 30 years. I agree, in the Twin Cities it is hard. Plus, my Scandinavian ancestors who populate Minnesota tend to buy the "fair" argument, which leads them down the Democratic rathole. Trump was competitive in Minnesota. It shows it can vote Republican with the right candidate, elucidating free market and conservative points the right way.
I've been enjoying your posts since earlier this year when Instapundit had referenced an article. I appreciate the sober analysis and opinions, which is hard to find lately. I'm also an Illinois ex-pat myself. My wife grew up in Naperville, and I was born and raised in Downers Grove. Before we had kids, we relocated to Nashville in 2010, long before any of our friends would consider the same idea. We lived there for 9 years, and realized we just didn't belong in the South, as it's a pretty reclusive culture for those who aren't from there or didn't attend a SEC school. In 2019, we moved to the Indianapolis suburbs, and we're glad to be amongst the Midwest culture again. Cost of living is probably pretty close to Nashville, but quality of life was the biggest factor. I tell my friends and clients that it's an 'easy' place to live with great city planning, tons of logical roundabouts, more efficient government services than I'm used to, and long summers being on the western edge of the time zone. I hope that sometime sooner than later my friends and back in Illinois consider what their ideal location is. I'm afraid at this point that they'll wait until things are too ugly or in a worse financial situation than they're in now.
We moved from NJ to Florida on 09/03/2021. We made the decision 3 years ago to sell and go. It was an easy decision because our daughter attends college in Florida and we wanted to avoid having her to drive back and forth twice a year. We started looking at houses here her freshman year. Then, the covid lockdown hit. Once that ended, we came to Florida, found an absolute ace real estate agent who has found homes for many, and I mean many people from NJ and NY. Sold our home in NJ and moved into our Florida home. Property taxes of most of the beautiful homes we looked at were a fraction of what we were paying in NJ. Taxes, fees, expenses are literally forcing people out of NJ. Florida did not lockdown during covid, thus avoiding economic devestation and massive unemployment. NJ did all of that and more, and the NJ governor seemed to enjoy dropping hints of another lockdown due to the covid variant. The democrat governors of NJ and NY are responsible for the needless and horrible deaths of thousands of their citizens and arrogantly know that they will never be held accountable for their actions. Economically, moving to Florida was just the logical thing to do. We are near our daughter, hardly any of the neighbors we have met are native Floridians, and it is a joy and relief to live in a state where respect for America and the rule of law are paramount. In short, we call ourselves escapees, and are happy and grateful to be here in Florida. As far as we are concerned, we made good our escape from NJ in the nick of time.
Jeff, I am really enjoying how your writing and topics of interest have evolved over time. We met over drinks and appetizers many years ago in Chicago and you and your wife were delightful.
My wife and I are a few years behind you and as our children will soon be out of college, we are looking at what locale is in our future. Washington State has always been my home and taxes are reasonable, but the government footprint keeps growing. At some point, the sheer insanity of the policies and electorate may be too much to bear. Vegas had not occurred to me, but it is an interesting option. Cheap flights in and out is an attraction.
Please keep writing for you enjoyment if not a little for mine.
I had a buddy move to Washington state. He moved for a job, and to be closer to his daughter who relocated there after college. He likes it so far. I have had other friends move there and they like it-though your concerns about footprints are valid.
I've enjoyed your posts dating back to our GSB days. My wife and I made the move out of Chicagoland earlier this year and we are now living on the other side of Lake Michigan in Western MI. I was following a PE opportunity, but having two kids starting at U of M also factored into the decision. We are enjoying the lower taxes and more relaxed pace of living but I miss the Italian beef!
That's awesome. Your Sox had a nice season. James MacEachern is over there too! He is up in St Joe/Benton Harbor
I have appreciated your posts, first becoming acquainted on Points and Figures and now following you on substack. I am a Minnesotan though marriage and unfortunately am tied to the state despite not being a fan of winters due to 5 of our 6 children settling in the Twin Cities. Since moving to MN 28 years ago, I have been a more than less frustrated conservative amongst what I’ve considered a sea of liberals. I am curious as to your optimism in your statement “it’s probably futile to fight except in the case of Minnesota which might be changing.”? I feel like its been an exercise in futility for me working against the liberal populous Twin Cities with sparsely populated conservative rural areas.
Two congresspeople that were historically Democratic flipped. Minnesota has elected Republican Senators and Governors in the last 30 years. I agree, in the Twin Cities it is hard. Plus, my Scandinavian ancestors who populate Minnesota tend to buy the "fair" argument, which leads them down the Democratic rathole. Trump was competitive in Minnesota. It shows it can vote Republican with the right candidate, elucidating free market and conservative points the right way.
I've been enjoying your posts since earlier this year when Instapundit had referenced an article. I appreciate the sober analysis and opinions, which is hard to find lately. I'm also an Illinois ex-pat myself. My wife grew up in Naperville, and I was born and raised in Downers Grove. Before we had kids, we relocated to Nashville in 2010, long before any of our friends would consider the same idea. We lived there for 9 years, and realized we just didn't belong in the South, as it's a pretty reclusive culture for those who aren't from there or didn't attend a SEC school. In 2019, we moved to the Indianapolis suburbs, and we're glad to be amongst the Midwest culture again. Cost of living is probably pretty close to Nashville, but quality of life was the biggest factor. I tell my friends and clients that it's an 'easy' place to live with great city planning, tons of logical roundabouts, more efficient government services than I'm used to, and long summers being on the western edge of the time zone. I hope that sometime sooner than later my friends and back in Illinois consider what their ideal location is. I'm afraid at this point that they'll wait until things are too ugly or in a worse financial situation than they're in now.
We moved from NJ to Florida on 09/03/2021. We made the decision 3 years ago to sell and go. It was an easy decision because our daughter attends college in Florida and we wanted to avoid having her to drive back and forth twice a year. We started looking at houses here her freshman year. Then, the covid lockdown hit. Once that ended, we came to Florida, found an absolute ace real estate agent who has found homes for many, and I mean many people from NJ and NY. Sold our home in NJ and moved into our Florida home. Property taxes of most of the beautiful homes we looked at were a fraction of what we were paying in NJ. Taxes, fees, expenses are literally forcing people out of NJ. Florida did not lockdown during covid, thus avoiding economic devestation and massive unemployment. NJ did all of that and more, and the NJ governor seemed to enjoy dropping hints of another lockdown due to the covid variant. The democrat governors of NJ and NY are responsible for the needless and horrible deaths of thousands of their citizens and arrogantly know that they will never be held accountable for their actions. Economically, moving to Florida was just the logical thing to do. We are near our daughter, hardly any of the neighbors we have met are native Floridians, and it is a joy and relief to live in a state where respect for America and the rule of law are paramount. In short, we call ourselves escapees, and are happy and grateful to be here in Florida. As far as we are concerned, we made good our escape from NJ in the nick of time.
There is never a bad time to leave places like NJ or IL if it's the right move for you. Sounds like it was the right move!
Jeff, I am really enjoying how your writing and topics of interest have evolved over time. We met over drinks and appetizers many years ago in Chicago and you and your wife were delightful.
My wife and I are a few years behind you and as our children will soon be out of college, we are looking at what locale is in our future. Washington State has always been my home and taxes are reasonable, but the government footprint keeps growing. At some point, the sheer insanity of the policies and electorate may be too much to bear. Vegas had not occurred to me, but it is an interesting option. Cheap flights in and out is an attraction.
Please keep writing for you enjoyment if not a little for mine.
Thanks,
Chris
I had a buddy move to Washington state. He moved for a job, and to be closer to his daughter who relocated there after college. He likes it so far. I have had other friends move there and they like it-though your concerns about footprints are valid.