Steve Huckins, a native of Oregon, recently took to Facebook to express his farewell to his home state as he prepared to move across the country. Mr. Huckins praised the natural beauty of Oregon but expressed his discontent with the societal and political climate overshadowing it. He and his wife, Ginger, specifically cited Portland’s tolerance of homeless encampments, the open use of hard drugs, and increasing crime as reasons for their despair. As a result, they made the decision to move to deep-red rural Missouri.
In their new town, located outside of St. Louis, the Huckins admired the old Victorians and the prevalence of American flags, something that they felt was lacking in Portland, where displaying the American flag was viewed as offensive. The couple’s move to Missouri was driven by a desire for a safer and more politically aligned environment.
Similarly, Jennie and Jeff Noble, residents of Iowa, decided to relocate to Minnesota due to the impact of local politics on their transgender son. Iowa had recently banned gender-affirming medical care for minors, making it necessary for the Nobles to seek a state with more favorable laws. Their move was motivated by the need to protect their son and access appropriate medical care.
These stories reflect a growing trend of Americans moving to escape political and social climates they disagree with. Americans are increasingly dividing along party lines, leading to relocations based on views on issues such as abortion, transgender rights, school curriculums, guns, race, and more. While it is difficult to quantify the exact number of people moving for these reasons, various sources indicate that the phenomenon is real.
For example, Jesse Jordan from Tennessee contemplated moving to Oregon with his fiancée after Tennessee implemented strict abortion laws. Brian Schmidt, a Navy veteran in Iowa, plans to move his family to a more diverse city within a blue state to provide a better environment for his son in a multicultural setting. Matthew Krall, an accountant, does not regret moving his family from California to Tennessee, as he found the state’s Democratic governor and liberal policies frustrating.
According to a March poll by the Axios-Ipsos Two Americas Index, 40% of adults expressed a likelihood of moving to a state aligned with their political beliefs. Additionally, 54% of adults stated they would consider moving if their state passed laws negatively impacting them. Politics has become a crucial factor in residential decisions, influencing where individuals choose to live.
Though the Huckins family and the Noble family have not met, their stories share similarities. Both families relocated due to concerns about personal safety. For the Huckins, Portland became “unsafe, unsanitary, and scary,” leading to the installation of security cameras and a loss of trust in the city’s ability to address issues like homelessness and drug use. The Nobles, on the other hand, sought to protect their transgender son from discriminatory laws and rhetoric in Iowa.
The experiences of these families highlight the impact that political and social climates can have on Americans’ quality of life and their decisions to relocate. As the country becomes increasingly divided, more individuals are considering moving to states that align with their values and offer a better sense of safety and well-being.