In this episode of the Planet Money podcast, the hosts explore a long-term study on how neighborhoods affect economic mobility. Initially, the "Moving to Opportunity" experiment showed minimal effects on income and education. However, a more recent analysis with better data found that relocating to a higher-opportunity neighborhood before the age of 13 can significantly enhance long-term earnings and other positive outcomes for children. This insight prompted a revamp of the program, which now includes support services to facilitate voluntary moves to better neighborhoods. The findings highlight the important role housing policy can play in improving economic opportunities, especially for young children.
