To say that some of our largest cities are experiencing a decline is an understatement.

San Francisco and the Bay Area are the prime examples. Long known for its beautiful climate, welcoming spirit, and one of the modern engineering wonders of the world, the city has attracted tourists, entrepreneurs, and some of the brightest tech minds. Yet, in June 2021, the city’s chamber of commerce conducted a poll and found more than 40% of residents said they planned to move out of the city. Seventy percent feel the quality of life in the city had declined. How did we get here?