Moving inland means lower wages, but higher transportation costs on China's crowded highways and railroads.

WSJ: China's Rising Wages Propel Prices

Moreover, as suggested above, transportation costs are much lower and delivery times far shorter when goods are made here.

FORBES: Move Over, Michigan, China Is The World's Next Rust Belt

Hon Hai and other companies have moved some operations to countries such as Vietnam and Mexico, where costs for labor or transportation to end markets are lower.

WSJ: Hon Hai Confirms Employee Deaths

With investments in high-speed transportation and communication infrastructures, the creative class should be persuaded to return to the periphery to enjoy lower housing costs and a higher quality of life, and contribute to a local economy that can then provide sustainable services.

ECONOMIST: Letters

Shipping and transportation costs alone can make outsourcing prohibitively expensive, particularly if a company has a high-volume, lower-price product.

FORBES: Magazine Article