If you had no ties to anyone or anywhere and the only criteria was: I can be the first magician to build a business here, Where in the US would you move to?

For example, Where I grew up in NY, there were 50 Guys listed in the phone book, And probably a few dozen others that sdvetised elswhere.

Who needs the competition?

What'ya think? Where would you go?

I think you may be looking at it all wrong. Since there are 50 guys in the phone book it means that there are people able and willing to buy the entertainment. Also, in a market like that you get paid more for the shows.

Fast Food places do not look for the location where they are well away from the competition, that would be instant death. They all locate in close proximity to each other because that brings more business to every one.

I hate to burst your bubble but the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. Being in an area with no competition, I can tell you it is because there is not a market for the competition. I would love the competition and the higher population densities. I love where I live, it was a better place to raise my daughter in than Southern California where I moved away from. The downside is that I have to travel 100-400 miles to get the amount of work you do in a 50 mile radius.

Count your blessings and smile when you go to the bank.

If you do move, make sure it is a suburb of a big metropolitan area. You can never be a star in your own home town. CJ Johnson, you may have heard of him, lived in Austin, TX and couldn't get bookings in Austin. He was a local boy and they always wanted to bring someone from out of town. He moved to a little sleepy hamlet outside of Austin and he was all of a sudden bookable. I hope you can see the point. He is very successful now and has written a book on marketing and building your show, you can get it here:

http://www.moreshowsmoremoney.com

I don't get any money, it is just a good book. If you are planning to move, make sure you are well armed with all the marketing plans, books and methodologies you can get your hands on, you'll need them.

Martin

Here's a thread that might be of interest to you:

Magic Café thread... Best Smaller City For Magic.

- Donald.