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adastrame's review
4.0
This book is the ultimate guide for anyone who is thinking about relocating - for whatever reasons. Several of it's chapters are very enlightening and the eventual "guide" in the last chapter gives you a good structure to work through your options of places you'd like to live.
The only thing I found a bit disappointing is that the book focuses mainly on the US, despite the growing globalization. But the general advise can be converted to any country or city in the world.
What the book also lacked for me was a chapter for "childless couples" - what is the best place for them?! The one for singles? Empty-Nesters?! Disappointing... I skipped all the stuff about singles and families, so I can't speak for that.
But as mentioned, if you're thinking about relocating, read this first.
The only thing I found a bit disappointing is that the book focuses mainly on the US, despite the growing globalization. But the general advise can be converted to any country or city in the world.
What the book also lacked for me was a chapter for "childless couples" - what is the best place for them?! The one for singles? Empty-Nesters?! Disappointing... I skipped all the stuff about singles and families, so I can't speak for that.
But as mentioned, if you're thinking about relocating, read this first.
kateempee's review
informative
medium-paced
It's hard for me to give this book a star rating - I greatly enjoyed it, but it was published 15 years ago and there's a chance that a good amount of the information in it has changed, especially in the wake of covid-19. Regardless, the author is able to share a good amount of information in a way that feels conversational rather than lecturing. I've flipped through some of his other books before and I enjoy reading his work, so I am glad I picked this up. Now I want to look for updated versions of some of the charts in the appendices!
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
3.0
"Where you choose to live is one of the top decisions, if not that single most important decision, you'll ever make....But if you do it right, finding the best place for you will vastly improve every facet of your life. Choose wisely."
Yikes, as if I wasn't stressed enough about this! Gulp.
I DID love all the awesome data maps. Did I mention I love maps?
Yikes, as if I wasn't stressed enough about this! Gulp.
I DID love all the awesome data maps. Did I mention I love maps?
ciarajanae's review against another edition
3.0
There's a ton of research and statistics in here, but it all adds up to something I think most people know instinctively: different places attract different people, and we can't all be happy or successful everywhere.
youngbones's review against another edition
Interesting facts but the writing is brutal. I finished 1/3 and skimmed through the rest of the maps. I appreciate the point being made but the presentation is not digestible. At 8 years old, the facts that make up the bulk of the text are outdated and irrelevant, particularly in regards to cities like Austin. The concept was great in theory but it ultimately reads like one disjointed fact sheet after another.
niniane's review against another edition
2.0
It is focused only on Canada (and somewhat the US). It has many stats and a checklist, but the writing feels robotic.
I think the central premise is interesting, i.e. that people may be more or less compatible with a city depending on their values. These include whether they like big cities or rural countryside, openness / diversity, jobs, and their stage of life.
I think the central premise is interesting, i.e. that people may be more or less compatible with a city depending on their values. These include whether they like big cities or rural countryside, openness / diversity, jobs, and their stage of life.
jenn_stark's review against another edition
3.0
started strong, then wasn't sure if it was trying to be a research paper or a self help book. wish it hadn't been so america-centric.
jess_segraves's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book to be a great piece of nonfiction and a good foil to Tom Friedman's books. I did, however, feel as though Florida made some generalizations that were either unclear or perhaps even outdated (already!).
The combination of planning and psychology is really an interesting one, and I found this book to be accessible and interesting.
The combination of planning and psychology is really an interesting one, and I found this book to be accessible and interesting.
iambartacus's review
3.0
This book isn't as good his book about the creative class, but interesting none the less. I just moved, making it even more so. I liked his maps and charts, but I think he tried to write too long of a book, buried some of his better points.
heykellyjensen's review
3.0
I liked Bishop's "The Big Sort" way more because it was more insightful and original. This isn't interesting nor is it really brain science. Obviously, college grads want to move where there are jobs. Likewise, the reason that big cities are happy with gay/bohemian lifestyles is that they're more traditionally liberal. So, yes, liberal cities want creative people and people graduating from college with dreams flock to cities where their creativity is welcome. Those places are liberal.
That said, there's a clear bias in this book, and I think he's still misguided about where industry is growing (this was what I thought before the economy tanked, too). Yes, Austin has a lot of people with college degrees. That doesn't mean they're going to find jobs. It means they spend months and months looking and then take a job well beneath what they should be able to accomplish for the privilege of living in Austin. So, while we know that while they get a sense of happiness with place, it does NOT mean that people are going to find jobs here. Although there is the anecdote about a girl who quit a job where she was achieving success to become a hairdresser and live a happier life as a creative, it doesn't necessarily equate with the idea that people move to these "creative centers" and can't find jobs so they must instead SETTLE for whatever they can get. His thesis is a bit unsubstantiated in a lot of places. And, well, things are much different now, too. College grads have to grovel for any job at this point.
But, for people who want an easy, watered down look at the value of place in life, this book is a good introduction. Florida puts in some interesting charts and graphs, but, they're not revolutionary. Overlay one on top of the other and know even a modicum about this country, they're not revolutionary. There's a map identifying where populations have a high degree of degree-holders. Sure, there's a huge black spot in the northwest corner of Wyoming and one in the northern part of Montana. Curious? Well, those are where our national parks are, and to become employed in one, you likely need a degree. And since there are few people, obviously the percentages are high. It just makes sense without needing to even look at a map. Additionally, most of the places are in college or university towns. Let's remember, as he says, many who graduate don't leave right away, and well, it takes people with degrees to grant degrees, too.
I'd recommend Bishop's book over this one any day.
That said, there's a clear bias in this book, and I think he's still misguided about where industry is growing (this was what I thought before the economy tanked, too). Yes, Austin has a lot of people with college degrees. That doesn't mean they're going to find jobs. It means they spend months and months looking and then take a job well beneath what they should be able to accomplish for the privilege of living in Austin. So, while we know that while they get a sense of happiness with place, it does NOT mean that people are going to find jobs here. Although there is the anecdote about a girl who quit a job where she was achieving success to become a hairdresser and live a happier life as a creative, it doesn't necessarily equate with the idea that people move to these "creative centers" and can't find jobs so they must instead SETTLE for whatever they can get. His thesis is a bit unsubstantiated in a lot of places. And, well, things are much different now, too. College grads have to grovel for any job at this point.
But, for people who want an easy, watered down look at the value of place in life, this book is a good introduction. Florida puts in some interesting charts and graphs, but, they're not revolutionary. Overlay one on top of the other and know even a modicum about this country, they're not revolutionary. There's a map identifying where populations have a high degree of degree-holders. Sure, there's a huge black spot in the northwest corner of Wyoming and one in the northern part of Montana. Curious? Well, those are where our national parks are, and to become employed in one, you likely need a degree. And since there are few people, obviously the percentages are high. It just makes sense without needing to even look at a map. Additionally, most of the places are in college or university towns. Let's remember, as he says, many who graduate don't leave right away, and well, it takes people with degrees to grant degrees, too.
I'd recommend Bishop's book over this one any day.