We recently featured a viral TikTok showcasing a woman who had relocated to a blue state for the first time, sharing the “stark differences” she observed after living in the South her whole life. This prompted members of the BuzzFeed Community to come forward and share their own experiences of moving from a blue state to a red state, or vice versa. The resulting stories range from shock to fascination:
1. “I was born in South Carolina and attended college in Maryland in the ’90s. The contrast was striking. In SC, teachers would ask the community to purchase basic classroom supplies, whereas in Maryland, school districts provided teachers with essentials. Additionally, the county parks in Maryland are free to use, unlike in Charleston, SC, where entrance fees limit access to public lands.” —lovelyangel85
2. “I resided in Arizona all my life until moving to Texas in 2022 with my husband and dogs. I must admit, I’m not a fan of living in Texas. I miss Arizona’s progressive stance on issues deemed ‘irredeemable’ or ‘immoral’ in Texas.” —agntclkwrkorng
3. “Having lived in New York, I recently relocated to Ohio for a career opportunity. While I miss the vibrant city life and cultural richness of New York, I appreciate the pleasant environment here in Ohio. People are friendly, and political ideologies aren’t as aggressively pervasive. I do miss the food in NY, though.” —Anonymous
4. “Growing up in a liberal part of New England, I briefly moved to a more conservative area below the Mason-Dixon Line as an adult. It didn’t take long to encounter my first Confederate flag, leading me to reevaluate my decisions. Despite the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, I relocated a few months later.” —lobster_lemon_lime
5. “Four years ago, I moved from California to Tennessee. As a government worker and military veteran, the disparities between the states are glaring. Not only have my benefits and income decreased, but the quality of life for veterans is dismal. The conditions are disappointing, contrary to my initial belief that red states prioritize the military.” —kendallmarie1994
6. “Transitioning from the North to the South, I’ve found similar amenities at a lower cost, with reduced traffic and crowds. Property taxes and utilities are affordable, contributing to an overall lower cost of living. Safety is a notable aspect; crime rates are low, and people tend to keep to themselves. While I rarely encounter Trump flags, the cuisine up North is missed. In my view, red states offer a safer environment for families, especially as I work remotely.” —cleverdog423
7. “After moving from California to Arizona, I noticed lower wages offset by cheaper rent and gas prices. However, the savings were negated by higher costs for food and utilities. I felt compelled to censor my opinions at work and in
I grew up in a red state and have lived in two blue states on opposite sides of the country. The worst part about living ‘in the red’ is how long it took to get out – it really was a trap. Lower wages in red states mean it’s harder to save when prices are going up across the board. When people say to ‘just move,’ it’s not that easy. I feel safer where I am now, even though I live in a large city instead of a smaller town because I know there are more resources here to help me if something happens. Although I can work, I’m disabled, getting older, and I’m alone, so having access is important. I do wish it weren’t so expensive, though.
I live in a red part of a very blue state, Maryland. It’s great because there’s a much lower crime rate than the rest of the state, like Baltimore, which is considered a blue city. The blue parts of Maryland are the high crime parts because Democrats are generally ‘soft’ on crime.
I grew up in a red state and was super conservative myself. I moved away to a very liberal part of a blue state, and over the course of a decade, my views changed tremendously. It was great to experience life in an area where differences were celebrated, and you could freely express your views without fear or social repercussions. Even though I grew up around conservative ideals, it was still a culture shock to come back.
