The world is definitely urbanizing at a rapid rate and by 2030 about 60% of the world’s population will be sipping (or serving) Martinis on skyscraper rooftop bars. With all this talk about metropolises, it’s no wonder that some of us got a bit carried away, moving all our business to the concrete jungles. However, the wise ones know that you should never put all your eggs in one basket and once again this has proven to be true.

Tired of renting and never settling, sick of smog, congestion and the hamster wheel, those who can afford to get out, jump at the opportunity. As the cities become crowded, the space-hungry run to the open fields. Some of the best and brightest have relocated, because freelancers know that they have the bargaining power, and that the business behemoths cannot do without them.

These ‘rat race refugees’ are well-educated, wealthy and looking to create the life of their dreams on the vacant lands at their disposal. It’s like playing Sims and building the most enviable and high-functioning communities you can imagine. As a result, rural counties are transforming from downtrodden, apocalyptic wilderness into elite and highly sought-after enclaves where the Gini coefficient is low and the well-being high.

The city has lost its attractor factor for those who have climbed Maslow’s pyramid. They can work virtually on ubiquitous high-speed networks, even in the most remote locations. But the 99% at the bottom of the pyramid have no choice but to stay and make the best of big city life, because even now, it is still where the bulk of jobs and resources reside.