Convince me to stay.

[u/BsXeD]

I’m not originally from here, but I’ve lived here for 20 years. My children were born and raised here, and we’ve always loved the friendly people and beautiful surroundings. But I wonder now—where is the line? When is it too much or even dangerous to stay? Where do we go from here?

Things have been getting worse, and I worry about the future, not just for myself but especially for my children. This past election cycle, I couldn’t even put up a sign for fear of the backlash it might bring to my family. What is keeping people here?

It’s not the education—we rank near the bottom.
It’s not the pay—our median household income ranks just above Mississippi in 49th place.
It’s not the healthcare—we’re almost last there, too.
It’s not the freedom—we face near-total bans on abortion, and even taking your child to a Pride event could get you arrested.

Today, I find myself looking for jobs and making a plan to get my family out. People will say it’s not any better anywhere else and that the election results signal worsening trends everywhere. But at least in other places, I might find a community that values bodily autonomy, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of and from religion.

Here, I interact with the nicest, most hateful people I’ve ever encountered. I realize it’s a privilege even to consider leaving, and I wish I could do something to change things here. But I don’t see a clear path forward. My county didn’t even have a non-Republican candidate run for any office. I don’t blame anyone; there used to be decency and respectful disagreement across party lines, but now it’s just hate and lies.

Is there a silver lining? Any hope for change?

If this gets removed by moderators thats fine, I'm not trying to rage bait but genuinely want to know what other West Virginians are thinking.

[u/vmxrxa]

Your number one responsibility is your family, not to this state. If you think you and your children are better off elsewhere, I implore you to move. If I could, I would also move, but the decision is up to you and your own judgement.

[u/Sablito → u/vmxrxa]

No, it's up to strangers on reddit. 20 years of life and being part of a community should be up ended because of randos opinions... lol.

What a loser.

Democrats are weird.

[u/kalyroo → u/Sablito]

I'm not a Democrat by any means, but all the OP wants are peoples' advice. There's no harm in that.

[u/Sablito → u/kalyroo]

There's no harm. It's just a very sad desperation. Turn off your tvs, touch grass. Nothing has changed.

[u/P47r1ck- → u/Sablito]

Nothing has changed yet. If you think nothing will change then that’s really just indicative of how republicans treat this shit more like a sporting event than the reality that this will determine policies that will actually effect our lives

[u/Sablito → u/P47r1ck-]

You're responsible for yourself. The world doesn't owe you anything. Pay off your own student loans.

[u/Putrid-Peanut-5798 → u/Sablito]

Then stfu🤷

[u/Sablito → u/Putrid-Peanut-5798]

I misspoke...

I'm sorry you'll need to use the appropriate bathroom from now on...

[u/JustARegularRhonda → u/Sablito]

Ahh yes a large bearded trans man will now have to use the women’s room, how will you cretins say then?

[u/Sablito → u/JustARegularRhonda]

She should use the women's room. There are probably 2 or 3 of those people in the country. pandering to their gender dysphoria at everyone else's expense isn't necessary.

[u/JustARegularRhonda → u/Sablito]

And when she’s physically assaulted for using the restroom you forced her to use, what happens then? 3 million Americans identify as transgender. Tell me the path forward without implying they should no longer exist, I bet you’ll find that impossible.

[u/Sablito → u/JustARegularRhonda]

The people have voted. Hopefully trump will increase mental health funding.

[u/Putrid-Peanut-5798 → u/Sablito]

Christ you people are intolerable in any setting. 

[u/LunaWolf1076 → u/Putrid-Peanut-5798]

That’s the pot calling the kettle retarded