[IanDrake]

Andy - your experience doesn't matter for several reasons.

1st - It doesn't fit with what the majority here believe.

2nd - It dangerous to spread the idea that people aren't victims and they're just experiencing the effects of their own choice to live in an expensive city.

[dvdhnt]

> It dangerous to spread the idea that people aren't victims and they're just experiencing the effects of their own choice to live in an expensive city.

Mobility is much more elusive than HN, or the middle and upper classes, would have you believe. Also, that doesn't account for the fact people do not choose where they are born.

[IanDrake]

I'm listening... Why is it more difficult?

For every corporate executive position there are thousands of low level jobs. These low level jobs are practically everywhere.

Internet is free at the free library. Go there, Google cheep places to live, pick one, look for a job, rent a moving van, rent an apartment. It's not rocket science.

[mac01021]

IanDrake: I upvoted you here to offset some of the downvoting.

While your posts here arguable lack a little tact, I think this discussion would be improved if people who strongly disagree would respond with substantive, logical argument.

I don't think you're really wrong here, but some things are worth noting:

- People are generally not rational beings who examine their lives and try to live them better. So it's not reasonable to expect a large majority of people to take the kind of initiative you're describing

- There are only so many jobs in Billings, MT. So it's not like all the struggling families in San Fransisco can move there and all expect to do better. They need to all move to 10000 different parts of the country.

- Most kinds of working class jobs do not typically interview candidates from around the whole country so it gets tricky to first find a job and then relocate. And uprooting your family and moving 1000 miles to then look for a job seems risky.

[dvdhnt]

I'm surprised it isn't obvious. Let me ask -

Have you ever moved a family across the country? Do you have parents or family that offer a safety net? Do you have children?

A few things - you often need to pay to break a lease. Say your lease ends naturally, most new tenants are required to pay at least one month up front, sometimes the last, and maybe a deposit, too. You have to pay for some kind of moving truck or storage. Utilities require a deposit. You probably don't know what neighborhoods or schools suit your needs. There's an emotional cost to losing your support and friend network, not to mention those of your family members.

Those are a few things off the top of my head. I don't think anyone is claiming it's as complicated as rocket science. But the idea that it is cheap or free to uproot your life and family with little to no savings or support (low level workers don't get relocation packages) is not correct.

[IanDrake]

Yes, far enoug away to need a moving truck. No and no.

I guess we have different measures for hardship. I read what you say and think "and?"