Jobs is indeed a big one, but as I age and accumulate wealth that reason is diminishing. Right now the largest reason is proximity to the amenities of the city. I like being able to get off of work and head down to a baseball game. I enjoy having a season pass to the zoo. It is nice to have various museums near me. The quality and variety of restaurants in and near the city is amazing. We have great bike trails in the metro and near by national park. The YMCA where I can workout and take my kid to his competitive swimming is right here. I've lived in a little 99% white town of about 7000 people and that is indeed nice, but being near all these things is great it is worth the trade off. I still live in a mostly white area, probably 80% white in my suburb and I'm 15 minutes from downtown by car, 25 something by train. I've thought about moving to an even more exclusive suburb, but the property taxes are not worth it. I already give the state too much as it is. I try to limit my contribution to the beast as much as possible.