New arrivals to Nebraska and North Dakota had higher educational levels than did the States' populations overall, but few fit the "lone eagle" profile-individuals engaged in high-paying, knowledge-based industries who telecommute to work or service distant clients. Migrants appeared to move for quality of life rather than economic incentives. Most often cited was a desire to be closer to relatives, a safer place to live, and quality of the natural environment. These promising new residents would augment the population lost by the outmigration of the 1980's.