The current trend of thought seems to be that rural communities are fading away, bleeding population, as the younger folks move to the cities because they don’t want to live on and work the farm anymore. That is the popular belief I see at any rate. But, I just learned that Portland OR is losing population. I posit that the urban population’s economic means just can’t keep up with the living costs and have been forced out by “gentrification.” Well, massive increases in the prices and cost of living and owning a house or condo in the much more expensive city has forced people into living in their cars, tents, or in shelters without any hopes that things will improve for them. All those lovely “amenities” come at a steep price. Housing, food, utilities, all the increases in the costs of city living have begun to price out those of us who aren’t making the big bucks. Can’t afford to buy a home there, can barely afford the rent, can’t afford to eat out in restaurants other than burger joints, can’t afford to commute further and further as the rental prices soar and we move further and further away into the ‘burbs (and have to commute to and from our jobs in all the traffic!), local schools are being starved for funds and lack of parent involvement (we both gotta work to make the house/car/cable/food/medical/etc bills).
Rural America is now less expensive, less complicated, less stressful, and could’ve an attractive alternative with a good internet connection, & can be as productive in business as any location the city.
It’s time to move back kids.
Imagine if you will a rural small town with dynamite internet coverage and a locally-owned and operated internet service provider that is a city utility that serves residents via wireless or microwave relay at gigabit speeds, so you can work and play at home on the farm which now has solar panels partially shading your organic lettuce and veg. Where the schools are all connected to the best content and online resources for helping kids learn both how to learn and what to learn. The local stores and restaurants feature locally produced products and fresh organic veggies and meat. All the best movies and theatre events are available online, either at home or in the local theater on the big screen (as well as local onstage productions).
Property and social values are maintained or increased with the aid of a City/County/State/Federal government that actually works for the people who live in rural (and urban) areas rather than just the Corporations and .1% of high earners.
That’s a dream I can get behind.