This is a compelling vision for revitalizing the Midwest, and the emphasis on decentralization and self-sufficiency makes a lot of sense in an era of remote work. The challenge is overcoming cultural inertia—how do you convince the Sunburned Exiles that a return is not just possible but desirable? A strong initial wave of pioneers, especially those committed to building schools and businesses, would make the difference in proving the model’s viability.
My plan is initially to focus on places with preexisting assets such as national parks or universities. There are some places in the North which are already desirable, such as Traverse City. I also think that not very many people know how low real estate prices are in the Upper Midwest.
This is a compelling vision for revitalizing the Midwest, and the emphasis on decentralization and self-sufficiency makes a lot of sense in an era of remote work. The challenge is overcoming cultural inertia—how do you convince the Sunburned Exiles that a return is not just possible but desirable? A strong initial wave of pioneers, especially those committed to building schools and businesses, would make the difference in proving the model’s viability.
My plan is initially to focus on places with preexisting assets such as national parks or universities. There are some places in the North which are already desirable, such as Traverse City. I also think that not very many people know how low real estate prices are in the Upper Midwest.