I was born and raised in small town south GA where I also went to college. Most of my class couldn’t wait to move after graduating from high school or college. It’s the same with people who I know from Mississippi and Alabama.

I can’t say I know anyone who left a small town in the south who pine to go back even if there were jobs.

True, but my perspective is that these people aren't wanting to move for a job, they're wanting to move for other reasons and a job elsewhere is a means by which they can accomplish that.

Also, there are certainly people who actually want to move for a job itself. I'm just asserting that they're a very small minority.

But to be fair…

“Unambitious Loser With Happy, Fulfilling Life Still Lives In Hometown”

https://theonion.com/unambitious-loser-with-happy-fulfilling...

Read the article, it’s a condemnation of people who think the guy is “a loser”. It’s not an insult to people who decide to stay in small towns.

I couldn't agree more. There's nothing whatsoever wrong with staying in a place where you're happy living.

I'd even take it a step further: if you're happy in the place you live, moving for a job is a mistake.

Sure, but the motivation was "I want to get out of this place." A job just helped to facilitate that. I mean, I was in that boat too -- though I moved for college, not a job -- and never seriously considered going back. I would've loved to have stayed where I was after college, but there were no great jobs there, so I moved for a job -- but that meant parting with my then-girlfriend and other friends.