Florida R.
Who is your city? Creative Economy and Choice of Residence /
Per. from English - M.: Strelka Press, 2014.-- 368 p.
ISBN 978-5-906264-37-4
Translated from English by Ekaterina Lobkova
Editor Dmitry Tkachev
Find yourself a place
When I first announced that I wanted to write a book that could really help people choose the best place to live, many of my colleagues got worried. They said, “You are a serious scientist. Academics don't write DIY books. However, some do. Leading psychologists like Martin Seligman have written extensively about how to make your life better while being aware of your limits. Dozens of leading medical researchers and clinicians have written helpful books, sharing their views on subjects ranging from how to lose weight to general health management.
After more than twenty years of researching the role of residence, I hoped that I too would be able to give people some information that they could use. I was encouraged when my editor suggested, as usual, a wise decision: “If you really want to give advice, this right must be earned. To deserve it, you need to write a serious, engaging and compelling book. If you've read this far, I hope you think I've earned the right to advise.
I hope you now agree that the place is more important today than ever. Despite all the prophecies about how new technologies (car, mobile phone and, of course, the Internet) will free us from the bonds of place, allow us to work from anywhere and live anywhere, location remains a key factor in the global economy.
If you look at where in the world there is innovation and economic activity, you find that only two to three dozen places are significant here. Whatever indicators we choose to measure economic growth past, present or future - population, economic activity, innovation, presence of talented scientists - these mega-regions are head and shoulders above their neighbors. And behind all of these trends lies the great power of the clustering effect - the tendency of creative people to seek out and fill groups with similar mindsets - and the self-perpetuating economic inequality that stems from this trend. But space isn't just important to the global economy. It is also important for your life.
I began this book by stating that most people pay great attention to two key questions: how to make a living and who to make their life partner. Whichever career we choose, we all make difficult decisions from time to time about where to work and how best to develop professionally. Some take even longer to make sure they have chosen the right person to live together and start a family.
But few people devote enough time to pondering the third question - the question of where to live. During the research that led to this book, I realized that this third question is at least as important as the first two.
As we have seen, the place where we live is increasingly linked to the types of work available to us. In many specialties, jobs have acquired a geographic specialization, concentrating in certain localities. The most important thing for people is not unlimited career opportunities or a vast job market, but a sufficient number of reliable options that provide a choice and flexible career.
Where we live can determine other aspects of our economic stability as well. Consider buying a home - the single major financial investment most of us make in life. The performance of real estate markets and the growth and appreciation of home values vary greatly from place to place. This does not mean that the place of residence should be chosen solely on the basis of the possible income from the sale of the house - it is like getting married for money. But while buying a house remains one of the biggest investments in our lives, it is better to know what the situation is in different markets.
In addition to financial status and professional path, the choice of place of residence can greatly affect how happy a person will be in their personal life. The place where we live can affect who we meet, how we meet, and the ability to spend time with friends and loved ones.
Perhaps more importantly, where you live can influence how happy a person is in themselves. In addition to economic and cultural specialization, the power of clustering has led to the geographic concentration of different personality types. Different places suit different people. A person who is like a fish in water in Manhattan may feel bad in Boise, Idaho, and vice versa. On the top line of each person's to-do list, it should be written: "Find out which place is best for me."
So, when choosing a place to live, it is important to consider five key factors. First, you should think about how the place where you live will affect your work and career prospects. As we have seen, many activities are clustered and concentrated in separate locations. Before you settle down somewhere, it is very important to take a close look at how the place fits in with your short and long term career goals.
Secondly, it is critically important to understand how much you need to have close friends and relatives nearby and what you will have to give up when moving far. Chapter 5 discussed one paper that says breaking up with close friends is worth at least six figures in monetary compensation. Whether or not you believe this number, it helps you focus on how your choice of residence will affect your relationships with family and friends.
Third, you need to honestly tell yourself what kind of place will suit your habits. Some love the hustle and bustle of a big city, others - a simple life in the suburbs, others want to be a part of nature and see its beauty around. What hobbies, activities, and life interests bring you genuine joy? I am a cyclist, and I would not think about moving to a place where it is unpleasant to ride on the roads. If you love skiing, you might want to live closer to the snow-capped mountains. Whether you love surfing, sailing or just walking along the beach, you will want to live close to the beautiful coastline.
Fourthly, it is important to carefully consider the correspondence of the place where you are going to live, the properties of your personality. If you love new experiences, you will love a place full of new incentives. An extrovert will want a lot of people around who are easy to meet and make friends with. For a conscientious person - to have people nearby who are serious about their work and respect their obligations.
Finally, fifth, you should make sure that the location you choose is appropriate for your phase of life. A bachelor will want to live where it is convenient to make friends and go on dates. Families with children need a safe community with good schools. The residents of the "empty nest" want to move somewhere not very far from their children, where they can indulge in their favorite hobbies.
Most importantly, do not forget about the inevitable sacrifices and compromises. It is very important to understand how important each of these five points is to you as you narrow down the list of places to consider and make your final choice.
Finding the place that best suits us is not easy - everything truly important in this life is not easy - but it can be done. To help you better assess your priorities and choices, I've outlined the big picture and some of the tools, and I've drawn up a ten-step plan to help you narrow down your choices and make a decision.
