People Who Moved From A Red State To A Blue State Are Sharing Whether Or Not It Actually Improved Their Quality Of Life
“I moved from Texas to California as a single mother with two children. Life improved so much. There are so many social safety nets in California, where there were almost none in Texas.”
Hot Topic
🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Politics
Ever wonder if life is really different in a blue or red state? Recently, u/ftwclem asked, “If you moved from a red state to a blue state, did it actually get better?” They admitted to staying in Texas for family reasons but regularly daydreaming about what life might be like somewhere more politically aligned with their values. Is the grass really greener — or does everything feel just as hopeless, no matter where you live? Here’s what 19 people who made the move had to say:
1. “I moved from Texas to California in 2015 as a poor single mother with two elementary-aged children. Life improved so much that it is hard to quantify or describe all the ways. There are so many social safety nets in California, where there were almost none in Texas. Community college is free, and I was able to go all the way through and get my master’s degree thanks to state-funded programs. My children and I now live comfortably without assistance. The quality of life, the people, the beauty, and culture that we’re surrounded by in California are priceless. You could not pay me enough to live in a red state again.”
2. “Though the political makeup of the city I moved from and the city I moved to are roughly the same, Ohio’s state-level policies threatened me in a way Illinois’s absolutely do not. And since I can handle the increased cost of living, it’s worth it to me (though feasibly one could move to an inexpensive part of Illinois, if you’re not as concerned about day-to-day interactions).”
—u/noodledrunk
3. “I just moved from Indiana. I have only been in Chicagoland for three months, and there is a significant, positive change.”
—u/SpecialistAd7217
BuzzFeed TrendingHot Topic
Let’s chat about all things Politics
See our Politics Discussions
4. “We moved to Massachusetts three years ago after living in Austin and Dallas for 25 years. It has been objectively better in every way. I wish you and yours the best on getting out if you choose to do so.”
—u/akratic137
5. “Moved from Missouri to Massachusetts. Worth every penny.”
—u/Tomato-schiacciata
6. “As far as I’m concerned, the only benefit to a red state is the cost of living. That is admittedly huge, but, well, there’s a reason blue states cost more: they are actually pleasant to live in, and the government does not have active contempt for you. (Well, usually.) Blue states still need to build way more housing, but I will try to restrain myself from my usual urbanist ranting for the rest of the day.”
—u/bluerose297
7. “I grew up in a red state but spent years living in New York City and Chicago. I loved it every minute, but I eventually moved back to a lower-cost-of-living blue city in a red state. Honestly, it’s the best of both worlds. I own a house now. Not so bad. Yes, some state-level politics are annoying, but the voters at least chose to protect women’s right to reproductive choice. Day-to-day, there is not really a difference. I live in an urban neighborhood with a mix of races and classes, and some level of walkability, even though the city and especially the metro at large are car-centric. I’ve got what I need. I just could not afford it in Chicago or on the East Coast.”
8. “I moved from South Carolina to Massachusetts. I’m a teacher. Things are much better for me here. Outside of my job, I do like living in an area where the state government aligns with my own values and priorities. I get that I live in a bubble here, but I’m okay with that bubble if it means my money and votes are going toward things I support.”
—u/effulgentelephant
9. “Yep, teacher from Michigan to California here. I make more money, even adjusted for cost of living, and I have a stronger union with better job security and defined responsibilities that admin can’t tack extra stuff onto.”
—u/uggghhhggghhh
10. “Even a red area in a blue state has nothing on a blue area in a red state. There are true fanatics in my hometown.”
—u/ChemicalExample218
11. “I live in a blue city in a purple state, so we aren’t being targeted and still have, you know, healthcare and all. I don’t even like visiting red, I just do it for family. I do not feel hopeless, though. I pick a few ways to try to make a difference, and I refuse to give up joy. We’ve survived worse.”
—u/Character-Twist-1409
12. “Texas back to Chicago. Yes, a thousand times. Chicago has more to do. Austin lacks non-drinking activities and, despite its population, still retains a small-town vibe. I play roller derby, and my husband does stand-up. The roller derby scene is more fun here, but both are good. He quit stand-up in Austin because the comedy scene is pretty awful and dominated by red pill guys. He’s thriving in stand-up in Chicago. Austin has better nature. It’s baked into the city. While Chicago parks are wonderful, they don’t compare to the green belt, but they are more accessible. Chicago has cheaper food. So many 10-dollar meals. Austin does not. Austin’s food scene has some gems, but there is also a lot of ‘elevated,’ overpriced, poor food. Chicago transport is wild by comparison. I lived in one of the more ‘walkable’ parts of town, and my options were mega limited. Chicago is also so much more diverse — not just race but culture.”
13. “I feel like the political environment is healthier in Colorado compared to Texas (at least for me). Texas has more in-your-face politics. Over here in Colorado, it seems pretty laid-back — especially without the government or church dictating how you live your life (outright abortion ban, illegal gambling, church liquor laws, Ten Commandments, no legal recreational weed, psychedelics, liquor stores are open Sundays, etc.).”
—u/skittish_kat
14. “One thousand percent better. Politics is not just what Washington ‘does.’ It’s what local governments do and prioritize. I’ve lived in places controlled by Republicans, and now, I live in Oregon.”
—u/oregonistbest
15. “I recently moved to Colorado, where the governor has issued a standing order to allow COVID boosters without a prescription. Meanwhile, the state we moved from is actively overturning voter-approved state constitution amendments. Things still suck as a whole, but we at least knew that a blue state would try to fight for us. It is more expensive, though.”
—u/Visual-Hunter-1010
16. “I live in what’s probably considered to be one of the top blue states: California. Yet, even here, there are large chunks of the population that are decidedly ‘red.’ I live just outside of San Diego, which typically votes blue. But my area — which is 20 minutes outside of downtown — is a decidedly ‘MAGA area.’ For example, Ashli Babbitt hailed from the next town over, and you’ll see Trump flags flying on eight out of the 10 houses on my street. I’m pretty moderate in my political views and liberal in my social views, but I often feel like a fish out of water when talking to my neighbors. It can be challenging at times, especially since I have close friends and relatives whom my neighbors would have no trouble harassing if given the opportunity.”
17. “We moved from Tennessee to Chicagoland for family reasons, but whoa, we cannot believe the overall difference. Politically, it’s been stunning. We lived in a blue dot floating in a wide, wide red sea, and it was hard not to feel besieged at times. Then there’s mass transit, higher quality education, a range of safety net programs, and a larger parks system. We thought that after 40 years in Tennessee, we’d miss it. We left with gratitude for having enjoyed productive careers and raising good people. But we have not missed it at all.”
—u/Langley2825
18. “On a day-to-day basis, I felt better moving from a red area to a blue area, even within the same state. That’s just about cultural values, though.”
—u/ucbiker
19. “I spent the first three decades of my life in red states (Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Utah) before moving to a blue state (California). I’m now in a reddish-purple area of California, and it is infinitely better than any of the red states I’ve lived in. I cannot imagine going back to a red state. The only things I miss are my family and the food, but planes exist and I can make the hell out of some biscuits and gravy, so…”
So what about you? Would you ever pack up and move, or have you already? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments or the anonymous form below.
Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.