Random Walk at Night: Domestic Migration is More of the Same

New Centers of Attention are rising, but at least some data is hopeful for NYC

Good evening to one and all.

It’s Tuesday night, which means it’s Random Walk night. It’s something longer than a Databite, but not so long that you start checking instagram in the middle.

The where, who and why of people movement matters. It’s a long-running theme for Random Walk, so here is the latest and greatest. Enjoy!

New Centers of Attention (reprise)

When it comes to where people are moving to and from, the most recent change of address data shows more of the same: New Centers of Attention are on the rise.

The Southeasterly migration continues apace:

I suppose if you wanted to nitpick, Phoenix and Vegas are slowing a bit, but Texas, Jacksonville and North Carolina(!) continue to attract all the people.

Another interesting thing is that the relative regional gains of the New Centers of Attention (maybe) shows up in the “Downtown Recovery” data, as well.¹

When it comes to the “new normal” of city life, there are pronounced regional differences.