In other words, the trend we’re seeing might not be Millennials enamored with living in urban centers. It may be that those who flocked there in previous years now lack the wherewithal to leave, even though they want to do so.
For cities, that’s a significant problem for a couple reasons. First: those Millennials often become gentrifiers. “What do young people do if they can’t find a middle-class apartment to move into? They raid lower-income neighborhoods,” Myers said. “It’s gentrification, and poor people take the brunt of it all.”
Those young people aren’t trying to become gentrifiers. Their circumstances are forcing them to find the best housing they can on very little income.
Source: What if City-Loving Millennials Are Just a Myth? – The Urban Edge