Won't You Be My Neighbor? No, Not You.

Categories: News

Fascinating piece in the new Economist about how some Americans are choosing the neighborhoods to which they're moving -- based on a little something called "political segregation." Using Bill Bishop's new book The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart as its jumping-off point, the piece says some are looking to move to places based not on how good the schools are or how close they are to work or downtown (ahem), but on how politically segregated they are -- as in, are there too many or not enough "W" stickers affixed to folks' rear bumpers. And, of course, there is a local mention, however rooted in cliché it might be:

Because Americans are so mobile, even a mild preference for living with like-minded neighbours leads over time to severe segregation. An accountant in Texas, for example, can live anywhere she wants, so the liberal ones move to the funky bits of Austin while the more conservative ones prefer the exurbs of Dallas.
And, we're introduced to a new West Texas town: Paulville. As in: Ron Paul. --Robert Wilonsky

My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest

General

Home

©2013 Dallas Observer, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Dallas / Fort Worth

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city