Sometimes, “where the jobs are” and “where the living is cheaper [or even just barely affordable]” are difficult to find together.
Also, those who are not new graduates are more likely to have other constraints on where they can live:
- Spouse’s employment.
- Responsibilities to nearby relatives (see caregiver threads).
- Kids’ school (including effect on where one gets in-state tuition for the high school junior/senior looking at college).
- May be in a house with negative equity. Defaulting would harm credit score, which some employers use to screen out job applicants.