Would it make sense for a person in a "privileged class" to move from a red state?

Trying to gauge if I’m going crazy or a little too much “online.”

I currently live in Texas, and moving has been on my mind a lot lately as the Republican party and Texas itself seems to be slowly moving toward fascism. I don’t know when the slide toward fascism will stop, and how much more authoritarian the state will get. I do not feel very good about my tax dollars going to support this state.

I am a middle-aged cishet white man; middle to upper middle class software engineer. I have leftist opinions (libsoc/ansoc), but I’m not an activist (I am very introverted, probably a little bit on the autism spectrum, and pretty much a hermit right now). I do seldom indulge in marijuana consumption, which is illegal here.

I really don’t have much tying me down here. I have no close friends, no family in the state, and no current romantic partners. Last year, I moved within the state for a job, but the company was bought out, and everyone was layed off. I have very high autonomy at my current job, and could probably work fully remote if I wanted. Moving would be expensive (I am in an upside-down mortgage), but I have enough savings to take the hit.

I am personally feeling very isolated here (Texas suburb), at this point in my life, and am thinking about moving into some sort of intentional community (eco-village, cohousing, or land trust; not a commune) in a blue state (or even in Canada if I could pull that off).

Also, the weather in the last 2 years has been absolutely oppressive, and I have a hard time keeping anything alive in my veggie garden :)

Am I being over dramatic? Should I just stick it out here, and try to rebuild my life in a state that doesn’t align with my beliefs?

Also, I’ve heard arguments that libs should stay or even move to red states, but I’m not convinced. The state rules with an iron fist, and pre-empts anything progressive Texas cities try to do. And the district I live in is already pretty solidly blue. Not to mention, red states put families that contain females or lbgt people in danger.

jadedwench,

I left Texas many years ago and you couldn’t pay me enough to move back. Get out. Go experience other communities, cultures, and locations. Go somewhere where any future romantic partners have actual human rights and healthcare. Go somewhere that doesn’t have a state flag as part of its identity. It will be an adjustment, but change can be good.

Holyhandgrenade,

If you think living somewhere else will make you happier, you should do it as long as it doesn’t screw you over financially. Even if you’re probably not at risk of persecution as a white male, I can fully understand not wanting to live in a christofascist hellscape. If you have friends in a more desirable area I’d consider moving there.

pjhenry1216,

You can't be a useful protestor/advocator/supporter of any movement if you don't address your mental health and well being first. It's a bit more nuanced than do what makes you happiest, but more like do what makes you happiest and can still sleep well at night I guess.

bucho,

Gotta go with what works for you. But as a fellow cishet middle-aged white engineer, you could not pay me enough money for me to want to move to Texas. Or Florida. Or most of the middle of the country. If I were in your shoes, I’d be out as soon as I had the means to leave.

guyrocket,
@guyrocket@kbin.social avatar

Isn't the weather alone enough of an argument against TX or FL? What will it be like there in 10 or 20 years?

bucho,

I mean, I’m a fuckin’ weirdo who loves both heat and humidity. So I’m not really the target audience for that particular argument. But I get that I’m a weirdo, and most people don’t like living in the desert or a swamp. Personally, I’m much more turned off by their politics than I am their weather.

MxM111,
@MxM111@kbin.social avatar

There is no “should” here. You feel unhappy with current arrangements and would not mind paying expenses to have better life elsewhere, sure, go ahead. It is your life, you do not owe to anyone, live your life. Stay, or leave, It is still (mostly) free country.

evasive_chimpanzee,

This is something that I think about often. There is an argument that progressives should try to stay and change things for the better where they are. I think to some extent, though, that only works if everyone is operating in good faith. The government there is essentially conducting a full assault on any progressive measures. Just recently, Texas passed a law that automatically overrules any city ordinances that they dont like. More progressive cities like Austin can try to pass laws to protect tenants or workers, but it won’t do anything. It’s hard to make a positive impact in those circumstances. You also have to balance out the fact that by living there X% of your paycheck will go to that govt via property/sales tax.

On the other hand, where do you move to? There are lots of communities with skyrocketing real estate prices that they blame on remote workers (not sure how legitimate that is), so people are getting priced out of the communities they’ve been in for ages.

In the end, I think it’s impossible to make a complete moral determination either way. The only thing you can do is just try your best at whatever you do. Whatever you do, I’d definitely recommend trying to build a community wherever you are. You might not be able to get the local laws around you to reflect your values, but you can do your best to help those around you.

rayyyy,

Things are going to change fairly soon. That's why the GOP is so frantic about getting voter suppression and their agenda in place before the demographics change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4FqqVzH8-0&t=22s

MyEdgyAlt,

I did, and multiple friends are either actively working on doing the same or have expressed interest but have constraints (e.g. an autistic child who found a school / therapist they like, or non-ASD kids in hard age ranges to move).

Contributing to a pro-birth, anti-democracy, anti-reasonable-gun-control, transphobic economy in a hot humid climate that’s getting worse made no sense.

Texas literally banned ensuring workers get 10 minute water breaks every four hours. They banned cities voting to protect their own trees. Local democracies try to make things better and Texas says no. All the while, Texas refuses to employ a fair taxation strategy for less-urban areas, so blue cities have to fund the red counties’ school districts. Anybody not actively fighting to improve the political situation there should leave.

I haven’t missed the weather at all.

You’re underwater on a mortgage - this may not be catastrophic if you have a COVID interest rate and the place is rentable. Is that an option?

givesomefucks,

One of the reasons red states are so shitty is the people that disagree with Republicans keep leaving, so republicans keep winning elections.

I’m progressive but live in a red state, I might not live long enough to see shit get better, but if I leave…

It’s going to take even longer and fuck over people who can’t leave.

So I’m staying put.

768,

Isolation sucks and (political) alienation does too. I wouldn’t give too much about party politics, but supporting women and queers is a nice cause.

I guess you’re not the only one contemplating similar steps - given your class background I’d argue that it’s part of a brain drain of so called ‘red states’ (‘The South’ isn’t enough anymore). Political stability is part of QOL, but once intentionally disturbed there might be a feedback loop of brain drain, QOL decrease and political instability (because it sure isn’t safe for many).

I think you also have at least some moving experience…

Blamemeta,

If you have to ask, it might be best if you move. But you’d most likely fall into the same habits and become isolated again. Have you tried joining a club or something?

RickRussell_CA,
@RickRussell_CA@lemmy.world avatar

I made the move 15 years ago.

I’m certainly glad to be in a society that isn’t hostile to females, LGBTQ, etc.

Does it affect my day-to-day? Eh, probably not. I certainly could live in a regressive state without any personal risk or penalty.

w2qw,

You seem to not be enjoying your current situation anyway so I’d vote for a change. We are all very small fish in a big sea when it comes to changing states whereas you can make a big change in your own life.

riceandbeans161,

i’m not you, but i can only recommend you to get out. As far away from the fascists as possible.

TrismegistusMx,
@TrismegistusMx@lemmy.world avatar

You can only choose what’s right for you. I’ve often said that if I was able to work remotely with a high paying job that I would buy a big house in a small town.

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