GA natives tend to stay where they're planted (Decatur: transplants, home)

[LovinDecatur]

I just heard on the radio that GA ranks #3 in the nation for keeping its' native born. The only states that rank higher for retaining those born there are NC and TX.

[DeaconJ]

Interesting...3 of the most popular states for transplants are the best at retaining native residents. There must be something good about living in these states.

[Saintmarks]

Proves these states have opportunities that youth don't have to leave to find gainful employment.

Would like to see studies on the migration within those states. I know both Texas and Georgia have many small towns and rural communties that are dying on the vine while the metro areas are prospering.

At least its nice to be in a metro area and within a close drive of the home town.

[GApeaches]

If the economy in Georgia does not get any better, there may be a mass exodus soon.....

[matt8325]

Well ,the economy is in horrible shape so obviously that's not the reason why people are moving here.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by matt8325

Well ,the economy is in horrible shape so obviously that's not the reason why people are moving here.

Of course, those stats are mostly based on past trends when the economy down here was good and the housing market was booming.

It may take quite a while for the slow economy to have an impact on immigration.

[RangerDuke08]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

Interesting...3 of the most popular states for transplants are the best at retaining native residents. There must be something good about living in these states.

Exactly, it's generally a combination of business and livelihood. The first is simple $$$, you build it they will come (including illegals but that's another topic) and the second "livelihood" is a factor of many things I'll just name a few, culture/outdoors/nightlife/cost of housing/crime, etc.

Though the first one is not always synonamous with the second, a general over-growth, over-population and rising crime/traffic etc., can diminish the 2nd. It's important to see how these metropolitans handle the growth to see how it's current livelihood can sustain itself in the future. As cities grow it tends to keep it's current population as well as invite transplants, a positive sign of a high livelihood ... though when it hits its tipping point (ie., NY or LA) a good deal of transplants will replace the out-going population (generally natives) who seek somewhere else to replace the "livelihood" they once knew. The tipping point thus balances itself (equilibrium) in order to sustain itself. And then there is the sign of a diminishing population (ie., South Bend, IN) a sign of a diminishing livelihood.

[USA_Mom]

LOL I think it's kind of funny in our situation. I guess I'm native to Kansas (but have lived in close to 10 states now) and DH is native to Louisiana.

We moved to Texas for a job and opportunity and stayed about 10 years.

Moved to Georgia for a job and opportunity (the job was great/the state we were not a good fit for) and moved back to Texas. So it's spot on that those states would retain us--and ironically our 2nd choice at the time was North Carolina when we decided to move to Georgia from Texas.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by GApeaches

If the economy in Georgia does not get any better, there may be a mass exodus soon.....

Mass exodus to where? The sagging economy isn't a problem exclusive to GA.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Mass exodus to where? The sagging economy isn't a problem exclusive to GA.

There has been a mass exodus back to Mexico and other countries where people came from illegally to work in Georgia in sectors such as construction. Now that the jobs have gone, many are returning home.