Why I really moved out of California
April 2nd, 2008 by Will
A Singles Map of the United States
The commentary about this map on the blogs I’ve seen mention it has of course discussed causation, and I guess one of the leading but questionable theories is that there’s “more growth opportunities” in the West and therefore men are more likely to venture off there.
I think there’s a simpler explanation, which is partially backed up by the polling results that single people actually do rate “number of single people of the opposite gender for me to date” as one of the highest considerations for where to live, higher than job opportunities. The simpler explanation also assumes that people aren’t really smart enough to have seen this data before, but instead are going based on more mainstream perceptions.
The simpler explanation is as follows:
If you’re an average single guy, looking for single girls, then you think of California as being the place with the most desirable girls. Desirable girls being, of course, physically attractive, fit, blonde, plastic surgery-ed, etc. When you think of “girls in California”, your first image is immediately a girl on the beach in a bikini. Your best possible catch is a hot, young actress.
If you’re an average single girl, looking for single guys, then you think of New York as being the place with the most desirable guys. Desirable guys being, of course, successful, rich, powerful. When you think of “guys in New York”, your first image is immediately a guy on Wall Street in a suit. Your best possible catch is an ambitious young exec, a doctor, a politician.
Of course, this is probably a wild generalization, right? But strong correlations usually require a pretty dominant, simple explanation as to their cause.
And also, notice in the map, the only red dot that’s in California. That’s Sacramento. Where there are no beaches and no girls in bikinis. But the highest density in the state of politicians in suits.