> From the high prices to the schools filled with grinds
Interesting to see the word "grind" word making a comeback. It's first manifestation was "greasy grind", used as a pejorative for academically hard working immigrant kids - usually Jewish - before WW2.
Before we start applying labels like that to people again, perhaps it would be better to look at the incentive structures that cause people to be so driven academically, even if to a fault.
For example, many of those people might not have a place like the Midwest to move back to, or even if they did, it would be even more hyper competitive (like much of Asia).
> they just want to move back to the midwest and live near the rest of their families in a place where land is cheap and people don't try to compete so hard in high school.
I sympathize with this as I think the SV style academic rat race damages kids' curiosity in the name of status, but the Midwest didn't sit still this whole time.
You will find such hyper competitive academic systems these days in many parts of the Midwest too, especially in the "nice" suburbs that people want to move to with cheaper land, big houses, "good" schools, and probably a short driving distance from a Whole Foods (or similarly posh supermarket).