If you can not sell your house for more then you owe or the bank has approved a short sale, you are better off staying put.
If you don't have the money to move, you are better off staying put.
And then there are the emotional reason for not moving.
Am I making what I could if I moved to Texas? No.
But I would have to sell the house, sell the business and leave all my family behind to move to Texas. At our age the financial return would minimal over a ten year span and that would be ten years where I would see my parents once a year rather then weekly. At their ages that is not acceptable.
My mom was just in and out of the hospital recently. I was able to be with her and help my dad. Can't do that if I'm half the country away.
I prefer to clip some coupons and grow a bigger garden. Your mileage may vary.
Florida added over 300,000 people this year, now the third most populous state, exceeding New York. Texas added almost a half million. New York, California, Mass experienced outwards migrations.
Yes, people are still moving, starting new jobs and businesses, escaping heavily statist leftist areas.
“...where I would see my parents once a year rather then weekly. At their ages that is not acceptable.
Good for you. Enjoy them (and keep helping them) while they are here. Both of my parents have passed away, and I miss them every day!