I'm still in Mass because I was born and raised here, my wife and her family are from here, my job is here, and she is disabled and her doctors are here.
It's more difficult to move when you are a spouse/caretaker for someone with special needs. They need a medical and emotional supoort system to work through chronic medical challenges.
If I hadn't worked my ass off, lived below my means, bought my house in 2003, paid down my mortage, and saved money, I wouldn't be able to afford to live here.
My property taxes are almost twice the annual principal and interest I pay for the mortgage.
My parents-in-law can't move because my wife's father has just been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's, and the doctors advised that they stay in the house they live in since 1969. Signifcant change can make the situation more difficult for the Alzheimer's patient.
Massachsuetts is not all bad. There are still some deplorable Archie Bunker working stiffs around. The quality of life is good ... if you can afford to live here.
As you get older, the winters become more unbearable and more difficult to endure.
For young and fancy free folk who are mobile, I'd say head to the Confederate states. Due to the difference in the cost of living, taxation, and regulation, there are more opportunities for recent school graduates down South.
Most of the people buying houses in my area are more established, professional 30-ish/40-ish families where both spouses work full-time and have graduate educations.
Less established young people need to live with their parents, in government subsidized housing, or in towns that don't have great school systems.
