Place Determines Future Success & Quality of Life

With the rise of the internet and vast improvements in travel, many argue that one Place is as good as any other to live and be successful, but Richard Florida, author of Rise of the Creative Class, argues exactly the opposite. He believes that Place matters more than ever today and is central to quality of life. Says Florida in his new book Who's Your City?:

"The Place we choose to live affects every aspect of our being. It can determine the income we earn, the people we meet, the friends we make, the partners we choose, and the options available to our children and families. People are not equally happy everywhere, and some places do a better job of providing a high quality of life than others. Some places offer us more vibrant labor markets, better career prospects, higher real estate appreciation, and stronger investment and earnings opportunities. Some places offer more promising mating markets. Others are better environments for raising children . . . The point is, where we live is a central life factor that affects all the others—work, education, and love."

Choosing the right Place to live is one of the most important decisions in life, Florida contends, and I agree whole heartedly. I also believe that, absent choosing one of the stellar locations that Florida points out in his book, it is in our best interest to create places that matter. We have the obligation, since Place is so central to our well being and our future, to be Bright Builders. (much more in upcoming posts).

Photo courtesy of emiliano