Baked into this theory is the belief that people only live in cities for job prospects, and not because they want to for every other part of their life. The belief is untrue at least for me and everyone I know.
Observer's bias? Of course you observe people in that situation, because of where you are.
I agree though, that folks also live in cities by inertia. They've always lived there, and don't know any better. Even though they've got problems getting employment and housing, they can't see any solution. That's a demographic too.
Oh it’s very clearly observer’s bias, I don’t mean to suggest otherwise. That’s exactly my point. I just wanted to push back on the idea that there are two kinds of people - those who don’t live in cities, and those who live in cities reluctantly.
Working from home seems to have a similar narrative on hacker news I’ve found, probably for similar reasons - either you work from home happily or you reluctantly go into the office.
I agree though, that folks also live in cities by inertia. They've always lived there, and don't know any better. Even though they've got problems getting employment and housing, they can't see any solution. That's a demographic too.