Is it time for Ozzie and Harriet, or the Ricardos to move back to the city?

Many years ago I remember asking a former coworker, who was raising his family in the distant suburbs of Washington, DC, if, when the kids are grown, would he and his wife consider moving into the city. He is a well paid professional. and didn't even pause. He was sure they would stay there. Age in place.

Now, I haven't seen him in years, but after Sunday's release of the Brookings Institution's report called "The State of Metropolitan America". I'd like to see where he and his wife now live.

According to the report, which was financed by the Rockefeller Foundation, there is now a solid demographic reversal of what the suburbs were once perceived to be, prosperous family centered communities. For the past decade, the young and affluent are moving into the city centers, and the aging, single and poorer minorities are living in the suburbs. William H. Frey, of Brookings who co-wrote the report said, "What used to be white flight to the suburbs is turning into 'bright flight' to cities that have become magnets for aspiring young adults who see access to knowledge-based jobs, public transportation and a new city ambiance as an attraction." This trend started even before 2000.

This report is a preview of the 2010 census, and covers the trends of large metropolitan areas. It's goal is to show that a new approach, is needed in how we deal with entire metro regions. How community services, commuting, immigration, aging and race should be addressed.