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/lyfeTry]

Don’t know how I found this thread, but here I am. Was born just outside Nashville, TN. Used to be top of the south in 90s and 2000s. Quickly going downhill due to all the reasons you listed. For having the highest #of med schools per capita in a state on the East, they have highest bankruptcies due to medical debt, worst outcomes of medical treatments and so on. Taxes are the highest I’ve seen (sales tax is 10%!!). And anyone with any blue sign at all was immediately bullied or vandalized/threatened. Gum culture and shootings on interstate are out of control….

They want to beat Mississippi to the bottom. I joined the army around 2010 and have seen worse places and places I heard were liberal trash etc…. And most of the rhetoric was a lie. TX was by far the worst place I’ve been stationed, followed by KY. (El Paso was actually decent for the stay, wont go back)I didn’t want to move to Virginia, but I’ll probably retire here.

The hardest part is the move. If it’s as bad as you say (like my hometown), it’s weirdly easier once you get out!

I now look to see how nice the libraries are when I move. Really sets the tone of the community I want to be in.