At times, it can take some time for the data to match what we observe and experience in our daily lives. Last week, a survey from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce confirmed what many of us already knew: The Greater Boston region is about to experience a significant number of young people leaving. According to the poll, around 25% of adults aged 20 to 30 said they plan to move away from Greater Boston in the next few years.
Why? Home prices are extremely high, it’s difficult to get promotions and raises, and the rent is still too expensive. As a 35-year-old person living in Boston, my main connection to the city is through a landlord who hasn’t increased our rent too much. I have personally experienced this situation. After reading the worried news about the poll, I felt a strong urge to shout, “Yes!” Let’s leave this place.
Lately, I have been visiting friends who used to live in Boston but have now moved to Providence and Philadelphia. They have found that these cities offer a better quality of life at a much lower cost. I am almost certain that I will join them within a year or so. However, many young people from Boston feel both excitement and sadness when starting a new chapter in a city that is more affordable. A city that you’ve called home is more than just a place where you work, eat, and sleep. It’s a place where you contribute a part of yourself.
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When I got a job at the Boston Phoenix in 2011, I realized that even though I grew up on the outskirts of the city, I didn’t know many people who lived in Boston. But what made me feel hopeful and inspired in that first year was seeing many other people in their twenties dedicating their passions and skills to Boston, even though the city is expensive.
The local bands I saw at TT The Bear’s (which is no longer there) and Great Scott (which is now a Taco Bell Cantina) could have chosen to go to New York, Baltimore, or any other cities with more vibrant music scenes. However, they decided to remain in Greater Boston and support the local community. I observed a similar sense of loyalty to the community when I started volunteering for city council campaigns.
The young organizers who led these efforts to elect city leaders that better represented Boston’s diverse population were skilled enough to bring their talents to larger cities and national campaigns. However, they also made the decision to remain. They had worked hard to maintain their relationship and were determined not to give up easily.
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