But other factors also play a role in peoples' decisions to move out of city or town centers.
Land is cheaper out there and, at least in the beginning, taxes are lower.
As people move into outlying areas, businesses follow. Then, schools, fire stations, and sewerage systems are needed to serve the growing communities. Eventually, towns and cities have to raise their taxes to pay for those services. Soon, people who left the city or village center for a rural aesthetic and low taxes find themselves living in a suburb and paying a hefty tax bill. Auger said New Hampshire's campaign to attract business to the state, which already has low unemployment, is partly responsible for sprawl there.