>So.. why didn't I move here 30 years ago?
>That's easy.... I could make tons more money in NY and, costly or not, I loved things like the Met Museum, the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera.
>Even considering the high taxes, crazy commuting times and costs etc, I'm way ahead of where I'd have been here.
>And, yes, I really miss the cultural life of NYC.

Correct - the location is attractive enough to support higher prices for everything, including taxes.
People move there in spite of the taxes - and move away when the price gets too high.
You and I both moved to lower our living costs - and so have many other taxpayers.

>> 1. Why do states and localities give big tax breaks to favored businesses to influence business moves?
>Several companies have bounced back and forth across the Delaware River between NJ and PA in order to get tax breaks.

A company that moves for a temporary tax break... will find another temporary tax break later.
Or maybe a permanent tax break by moving where taxes are lower.

>I don't doubt your statistics, but they do surprise me.
>People actually move to South Dakota?

Yes, people move to South Dakota.
Three words: Shale Oil Money
I imagine many of them have moved again recently.