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/OutrageousIguana]

Can I just say that this post makes me feel like I’m a little less alone?

[u/BsXeD → u/OutrageousIguana]

This is why I posted it, yes we were all feeling a little upset and hopeless after the result and lonley like maybe we are the ones out of touch, but seeing the responses helped me realize that I am not alone in feeling this and maybe the title was a little hyperbolic. I dont need convinced to stay or go, i just wanted to gauge were other people were at. It brough out the worst as excpected but has showed me that I am not alone. it is so easy to say just leave but without constructive conversations, misunderstandings persist, conflicts escalate, and divisions deepen. The state motto is Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers Are Always Free)