May, Texas — Gen Z doesn’t fear China, but also doesn’t know China

For a town like May, Texas, the generational disconnect revealed by the headline “Gen Z doesn’t fear China, but also doesn’t know China” carries a surprisingly local echo. The quiet collapse of U.S.-China relations may feel distant from the wide-open skies of Brown County, but it reshapes the economic landscape in ways that matter for anyone considering a move here.

May’s appeal has long been its affordability—modest housing prices and a cost of living far below national averages. Yet the town’s future growth depends on attracting young families and remote workers, many of whom are part of Gen Z. If this cohort lacks awareness of global supply chains, trade policy, or geopolitical risks, they may underestimate how shifts in international relations affect local jobs, from agriculture to small manufacturing. A textile factory in May might not seem tied to tariff wars, but it is.

For relocators, the lesson is pragmatic: a low cost of living doesn’t insulate you from a shrinking global horizon. The lack of fear about China might stem from ignorance, not resilience

Source: Currents

View May city guide

Updated August 19, 2026.

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