You know what, I do fine for myself and tend to agree with that theory most of the time.

However, my hometown's economy caved in back in the '80's due to the largest employer leaving town with little advance notice. They only extended jobs to the top management and fucked everyone else over with the environmental and economic disaster they left behind.

Half of the people in that town left for other work within the first five years. The other half retrained and took work at half their previous wages even though they had a better education. In the meanwhile, their property values and the town itself went to shit.

Me personally, I moved away and got an education. I got a good job. Went back and got more education. Went through a corporate implosion due to CEO fraud. Watched my job market crumble with depressed wages. Then I moved into the private sector where things still paid good wages and benefits. I do okay for myself and provide "the dream" for my family with a single income, but I am an exception in this area.

Another factor is that a large number of people fucking hate city life and would rather be poor than to live there, so there is that point as well.

If you can't see it then you haven't lived it, brother.