[Mpls] 9,430 people leave Minneapolis

[Laura Waterman Wittstock]

On Thursday, June 24, 2004, at 06:33 AM, Victoria Heller wrote:

> Can anyone else see a trend here?  Have you noticed all of the "for 
> sale"
> and "for rent" signs around town?
>
> To solve your financial mess, you'll need to reverse this trend.  
> Perhaps
> City officials (and journalists) should conduct "exit interviews" with 
> the
> people and businesses who seek greener pastures elsewhere.
>
> It would be nice to know the reasons behind the exodus:
>
> Is it rampant crime?
> Is it intrusive government?
> Is it oppressive taxation?
> Is it lack of employment opportunity?

I don't think leaving Minneapolis is always attributable to negative 
factors. If the question is regional migration (not leaving the area or 
the state), then lots of reasons come to mind:
Trading up living space.
Moving closer to a new job.
Moving closer to preferred schools.
Moving closer to relatives or friends.
Moving from renting to buying and preferences for space, land, etc.
Moving for school or training.

Older cities like Minneapolis do get surrounded by expanding suburbs. 
That's true all over the country. What's the answer? Regional 
metropolitan areas? Super cities?

It is very complex.

Yes, there are some people who say they are leaving because of crime, 
intrusive government, etc., but they generally will have a plan that 
makes economic sense for them, too. So it is not a case of people 
abandoning their homes and fleeing. There are not long lines of the 
oppressed slowly moving west on 394.

Best,

Laura Wittstock
Southeast Minneapolis




Laura Waterman Wittstock
MIGIZI Communications, Inc.
3123 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612.721.6631 ext 219
wittstock at migizi.org
http://www.migizi.org
http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/