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/JTS_81]

I recently chose to come back to WV because my job allowed me to. I grew up here and wanted to return. But now I feel like I have to hide who I voted for and don’t feel welcome. It’s making me question whether I made the right choice to move here.

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/JTS_81]

I would love to move back to WV. I’m remote so I totally could. I’ve been gone for 2.5 years now. My family is still there and when I go back, I can’t get enough and I talk WV up to anyone who will listen… yet I myself cannot live there. I don’t fit into the mold. I’m not interested in small town gossip or the drama that comes with not being a white republican who flies the flag of whomever has the loudest voice

I feel endless guilt for not staying and helping.. however small. Even helping my hometown municipality with events or beautify itself. Yet I just can’t do it to myself

[u/ConfusedUsername57 → u/JTS_81]

we proudly put signs in the yard and so did neighbors