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Comment by jakedata | Hacker News Reader

Is it just mortgage rates or is it that moving down to the southern United States is not all that appealing for other reasons? There is clearly an amount of money that would convince me to move to "the US south" but as of yet nobody has offered it. There is a significant quality of life and sanity cost that I would prefer to not incur.

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It's hard to quantify, but as someone who grew up in the south and left, the "unappeal" is definitely apart of the calculus.

Not only do the outdoor activities pale in comparison to what you get in other parts of the country, but additionally so much of the political rhetoric, attitude, and actions isn't just "I want myself, my family, and my neighbors to do well" but "I want other people to suffer."

It's truly a terrible micro-society within the U.S.

Like anywhere, there are of course tons of nice/great people and some nice places. But exceptions, rules, etc.

Stayed in the South many years and while yes they can be busy bodies, I don’t think they actually wish ill on others.

Unfortunately a lot of US politics has become more about hurting your opponents rather than uplifting your own. Not saying everyone in the South is like this but it is a growing attitude. “He’s not hurting the people he needs to be hurting.”[1]

1: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/8/18173678/tr...

I was born and raised in rural Oklahoma. Most of my family is still there or in Texas. Most of them fit the stereotypes of ignorant rural conservatives. They are angry at their lack of "success" at life and blame it on everyone they can. They are absolutely malicious in this regard.

https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/jonathan-m-metzl-dying...

> Even on death’s doorstep, Trevor was not angry. In fact, he staunchly supported the stance promoted by his elected officials. “Ain’t no way I would ever support Obamacare or sign up for it,” he told me. “I would rather die.” When I asked him why he felt this way even as he faced severe illness, he explained: “We don’t need any more government in our lives. And in any case, no way I want my tax dollars paying for Mexicans or welfare queens.”

People like this exist in significant numbers. I know because I'm related to and grew up around way too many of them.

The south has above average inmigration, and below average outmigration.

So, probably you and your peers like you would never move there, but a ton of people are moving there:

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/11/state-to-stat...

As somebody who lives in the US South, this is spot on. I doubt I would choose to move here. Definitely not for a pay cut as the article implies.

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