People have been speaking with their feet for many decades as the country migrates generally to the south and west. But there are a whole host of reasons for that with taxes being one element. I think the bigger reasons are climate preferences and job prospects. Arizona and Florida soak up lots of Yankees simply for weather related reasons, although both are good places tax wise. Texas and Denver are excellent places for jobs, and Denver has awesome weather (300 plus days of sun) and great outdoor activities.

Having lived here my whole life, I am probably not a good example of those who have fled. However, we will be retiring elsewhere and are close to buying a home out of state. As I have posted in the past, I cannot leave the midwest. I have travelled all over the country in the course of my employment, and quite frankly, I love Midwesterners. My wife and I also love four seasons, so we would never move south.

Taxes are just one part of the overall quality of life discussion. Lower costs of living allow people to do more with their money, like buying a larger piece of property or owning a home of a certain size. So Rick is right in that no one looks back and is excited over paying lower taxes, but they do look back with a certain degree of satisfaction with the quality of life in their retirement years- travel, golf, boats, etc.

I moved back to the Midwest after living in an even more expensive area than Chicago. I would move to Chicago if the right opportunity came out too and visit fairly often.

Weird, I see Dolphin looking in my asshole

The moment of reckoning that happened in Detroit and Puerto Rico will happen in other places. Benefits were doled out for decades without the funding behind them. Luckily for places like Chicago, chapter 9 will provide a good way to work out those obligations.

There is one wrinkle- my understanding is that Illinois cities cannot file chapter 9 (federal bankruptcy) without approval by the state legislature. And as everyone saw with Detroit's bankruptcy, in federal court, they do not have to fulfill state constitutional pension promises, meaning pensions would get chopped. The state legislature will not approve a Chicago bankruptcy filing. It is going to be an interesting fight that will come to a head probably by 2025 when the city pensions are due to hit zero funding.

Weird, I see Dolphin looking in my asshole

Living in a city with low taxes and manageable debt would most likely lead to a better stake of $$$ left over for your family when you die, as well as allow you to spend your income to visit cities like Chicago or other countries.

Whereas living in IL will allow you to save less $$$ to pass on to your family, and prevent you from experiencing this country and the world.

Living in a city with low taxes and manageable debt would most likely lead to a better stake of $$$ left over for your family when you die, as well as allow you to spend your income to visit cities like Chicago or other countries more often.

Whereas living in IL will allow you to save less $$$ to pass on to your family, and prevent you from experiencing this country and the world the way MANY would like to.

Brick, I'm seeing this strangulation of the middle class first hand with my family in IL. You cannot convince me living in that state is the bees knees anymore. The financial situation is maddening.