that they do ripping the NYCs and Portlands of the world. There is a lot of depression and a lot of addiction in red states, a lot of health issues, etc. There are a lot of people throwing stones from the porches of their glass houses - but that seems to be what we do in this country.

Increase in crime, decrease in quality of life is real in several major cities. People seem to have become accustomed to just doing whatever the hell they want. I imagine the pendulum will swing back, NYC just elected a former cop to run the City (just like the SF'ers got rid over overly woke school board members). Public urination (and defication) and tent cities have become a blight in some parts of some major cities (there are a few dozen tents on the Union Station grounds in DC right now, still wondering when the authorities will address that). Again, I think the citizens will look to leaders to take a bit of a stronger stand (I used to joke that a return to high crime rates would have NY'ers asking to bring stop and frisk back).

Rents are up, housing vacancies down. That said, in the 3 large, East Coast cities I spend time in, the commercial districts don't seem at all "back" yet, and I think it will take a long time to establish a new baseline. I do think a certain amount of WFH is here to stay, and some work forces that are entirely remote. Time will tell how the cities will adjust, but I think they probably will.

I still don't see the Fox News talent or the rank and file clamoring to move to Texas, Jacksonville or Kansas City, though I do know people that have left NY, the District and other cities that have no plans to return.
[Post edited by Capital City Hoo at 05/16/2022 2:05PM]