Gallup recently asked citizens of all 50 states whether they’d move if they had a chance, and guess what: New Jersey, New York and Connecticut rank in the top 10 of states whose citizens want out.
The question was this: “Regardless of whether you will move, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move to another state, or would you rather remain in your current state?”
In Connecticut, nearly half of those polled — 49 percent — answered they would vamoose if they had the chance. In New York and New Jersey, 41 percent said they’d leave if they could.
And when Gallup followed up by asking state residents how many will move in the next 12 months, again New York and Connecticut ranked in the dismal top 10, with 16 percent saying they’ll soon be moving.
These results suggest two things. First, these states are driving people out. Second, many who remain don’t do so because they want to but because they feel trapped.
These results track other Gallup surveys, such as one finding people in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut most negative about their state’s taxes. As for those who say they intend to move in the next year, the high cost of living, high taxes and work- or business-related concerns ranked at the top of the reasons.
In short, the Gallup results are a vote of no confidence. At a time when governors are all trying to grow their economies and generate tax revenue, you sure don’t want to be where New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are: with a large bunch of your citizens concluding their best shot is to head for the exits.