The Decline of Boston

Joan Vennochi reports:

At one time, Boston City Hall was a magnet for young, smart, ambitious people who considered this city a destination and career incubator. That's not the impression anymore. A more negative view is fueled by a micro-managing mayor, plus Boston's pricey housing market, cold climate, and contentious politics.

The documented decline in Bay State population is the talk of the town. Some 232,945 people moved out of the state between 2000 and 2005. According to the 2000 Census, Boston showed a slight population gain, but recent city population surveys point in the opposite direction.

And Boston may be losing something else -- the feel of being a place to grow a career, beyond the rarefied worlds of venture capital and biotechnology.

Research by the nonprofit Boston Foundation underscores some of the factors that affect career decisions. Baby boomers -- those born between 1946 and 1964 -- have a lock on leadership positions in Greater Boston, and show no signs of giving them up. Civic culture is ``fractious, exclusionary, and lacking the collaborative gene." Visitors and new residents of all ages and backgrounds ``can find the city's civic and cultural life difficult to navigate," although efforts are under way to make Boston ``more welcoming."

If you want your city to decline just adopt Boston area values: high taxes,massive regulation,zoning restrictions,welcome unions into your town,and watch people leave.