The lack of a varied employment and population base has its impacts. In my entire graduating high school class, only myself and three of my friends had not used some form of narcotic, and we abused alcohol. Teen pregnancy was also epidemic. I shouldn't have to describe them further. I would never raise my children in such an environment.
People provide texture to an area, interest and good examples to children.
When we lived in Texas we were in a boring, small suburb where everyone was either a CPA or some type of financial professional. A defense engineer, a sports writer, two psychiatrists, a construction manager, a firefighter and a lobbyist. In my wider circle of friends I know an accident reconstruction engineer, who explains to me why the Newhall Pass congests in the morning mainly on sunny days, and a person who designs theme parks and has explained to me the theories behind good park design. Every person who comes to the SCV has something wonderful to offer. A new bold voice in the church or temple choir, the ability to organize a school carnival that breaks all prior fund-raising records, a fine example as a coach to a soccer team, or children who are friends to everyone.