This writer suggests that the way forward for young families may be to imitate their forefathers and move to a cheap small town where they can work from home and escape the rat race while avoiding expensive child care and commuting costs.

I agree, although I find his tone rather depressing, as though this lifestyle is a lesser one that you’re forced into. I have lived this lifestyle for many years.

While he’s right that “smaller cities and towns lack many of the cultural and professional amenities of larger urban areas,” it’s no great loss when you compare it to the affordability and freedom of living off the beaten path. Being able to raise your kids yourself, pay less for a home with enough space for a family….these are huge advantages during the child-raising years.

Now that there are so many more work-from-home jobs thanks to technology, this is an ideal solution. I suspect it’s why I’ve been seeing so many out-of-state license plates around my small town lately. I think a lot of people are moving here to experience less stress and fewer expenses. Even though houses sell with multiple offers in mere days lately, they’re still affordable compared to the city.