Why do some people live their whole life in the same city? (mover, neighborhood)

[Al G]

I've traveled to many countries and states. Have lived in only one other state/city, except not counting working in three other counrties for a couple of years each.
But still live in the city where I was born.
Why? Friends, family and lots to do and see in my small but beautiful city. And there is no place like "HOME".

[TheTimidBlueBars]

I always knew I didn't want to live in the Chicago area my whole life, ever since I was a kid. If anything, I was probably being overly conventional in that regard: I had subscribed to the cultural narrative that you're supposed to move out and see the world, and not doing so signifies never truly growing up and being independent. I was dealing with some clinical issues that often keep kids dependent on their families in adulthood, and I was determined to not let that be me, to launch successfully like a "normal" person does. When it came time to apply to colleges, I knew from day one that I would not be including any in Illinois (yeah, that signifies callous socioeconomic privilege, but I didn't realize this at the time).

As I've grown up and actually gotten to live in a few parts of the country and do more traveling (alone and with others), I've realized that belief I once lived with was misguided, and many people (especially in big cities) never leave home and are perfectly conventionally successful. But I've also come to appreciate the experiences of moving and traveling for their own sake, as part of living a full and varied life, and not for what personal status they might connote.

[NW4me]

They were lucky... already in the place where they belong
(or at least a place that was "good enough").

Others of us have to go looking for the right place.

[elchevere]

Variety is good. Grew up in NY through college, 2 years in Atlanta, 33 years in CA (SF and mostly SoCal), and currently Miami. Experienced things I most likely would not have had I stayed in NY my entire life, especially outdoor activities (was a lot easier for me to look forward to skiing out West knowing I would be returning to a warm weather climate in a few days). OTOH, I missed the directness (vs overly PC), close bonds, sarcasm, and overall grounded, common sense and solid advice I was accustomed to from back East, which is why most of my good friends out West were also transplants from similar backgrounds....even though I ventured cross country and tried new things I still sought people similar to what I grew up with but in different surroundings. Guess you can call that dipping the toe in the water v jumping all the way in.

[Enean]

My answer would be, because it's where they believe they belong, and where they choose to be. Most people can pick up and move, so if they're staying, it's their choice. Family, a love for their state, close friends...those are probably more the deciding factors than jobs, as people don't stay in their jobs throughout their entire careers. I think it's ridiculous how people are made fun of, for living only in one state...it's their choice.

I've lived in five different states, am currently in WI, and love it. May move for a few months during the winter, or back to Chicago, but that's, pretty much, WI.

[btownboss4]

This is such a perplexing question for most people it takes a reason to move. Especially non Americans it takes a war or Famine, or economic collapse to get people to move.

You can’t replace family or friends so people really value being able to spend as much time as they want with those people as opposed to just holidays or vacations.

[Bailey340]

I think the biggest reason is home is where family and friends are. As long as you have a good job in your hometown, why move for something else? especially for weather? Memories with family and friends are not easily replaced by more money or nicer weather.

[STL74]

I left but came back. I mean, I like it here and it’s home but mostly we agreed it is better for our children to have a stable home and grow up with family. We refuse to move our children around. We travel a lot, all over the world, but they have a home. Pre kids I would have moved anywhere, anytime but we had stable careers that required setting down some roots to be most successful.

[Vlajos]

For myself, I love my city. I've traveled all over the country and there's really no where I would rather live. Now, I would leave the US in a second for the right opportunity.

[btownboss4]

Originally Posted by HiddenHighways

To answer the original question...because they gave up on their own lives.

This might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever read