Since Roe was overturned, more Americans are moving to states that better match their political and social beliefs
Jessica Hoxworth.
- Jessica Hoxworth believes in abortion rights, COVID precautions, and that Black Lives Matter.
- As legislation becomes more conservative in her home state of Texas, she plans to move to Seattle.
- Hoxworth is one of many Americans on both sides of the aisle moving because of state politics.
Although 29-year-old Jessica Hoxworth has spent her entire life in the Lone Star State, she is ready to leave it all behind.
Come February, she and her husband will say goodbye to their friends and family and trade in their condo in downtown Dallas, Texas, for an apartment in Seattle, Washington.
As legislators move to enforce stricter abortion laws across multiple states following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, she's one of many Americans letting politics guide their homebuying and renting decisions.
"It's a grim time for progressivists and liberal-leaning people," Hoxworth told Insider. "The most recent Roe v. Wade decision has further reinforced our need to get out of Texas in order to maintain bodily autonomy and safety."
Texas is at the center of Roe's story. It all began in a Dallas courtroom 52 years ago, but in the years succeeding the ruling, Republican lawmakers — who have politically dominated the state's legislature for 47 years — have worked to undo more than half a century of legalized abortions nationwide. The state is now one of 13 with a potential trigger law that could make abortion entirely illegal — to the dismay of 54% of its voters, according to an April University of Texas poll of 1,200 people.
US politics are becoming increasingly polarized, and Americans aren't happy about it. As dissatisfaction grows, it could lead to more citizens like Hoxworth migrating to like-minded states, cities, and neighborhoods in an attempt to reclaim their political power.
"I'm encouraging my friends to get out of Texas if they can," Hoxworth said. "Once the SCOTUS ruling happened, a couple we are friends with started looking at the Seattle area too."
Liberals aren't the only Americans relocating to be around more like-minded people
Hoxworth's decision to move to Seattle didn't solely rest on her reproductive rights. It also hinged on the state's management of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.
"The response in Texas to some monumental moments, including COVID and police brutality, made my husband and I want to distance ourselves from what we feel is a 'hub' of ignorance and hostility to truth," Hoxworth said.
"Our views have naturally shifted to a more progressive worldview since college, and Seattle really fits the vibe we were trending toward."
As politics become personal, more Americans are considering them more closely to determine where they will live next. It's not just liberals, either — an increasing number of conservatives are also relocating to states that align with their own political views. Several Facebook groups are solely dedicated to helping them relocate to Texas.
But not everyone can afford a cross-country move — regardless of where they stand politically. Home and rental prices still remain at historic highs and the nation's hot job market is competitive. Hoxworth says that without remote work, she would not be able to relocate.
"My husband and I wanted to make sure we moved from a place of strength, and we're lucky enough to land fully remote jobs that will allow us to maintain our lifestyle even with the increased cost of living we are expecting," Hoxworth said. "It's the only way we are able to move so quickly."
Housing prices in Seattle are among the highest in the country. Homebuyers moving into the Seattle metro area should expect to pay $875,000 for a median-price home, while renters are looking at an average monthly cost of $2,190 for an apartment. Although Dallas is more affordable than the Emerald City, home and rental prices have climbed by 13.5% and 9%, respectively, since 2021. With inflationary pressure increasing the cost of living for almost every American, moving across the country — to any housing market — is an expensive task.
Although her living expenses will be rising, Hoxworth knows she made the right decision.
"Seattle is a blue state, it's close to Canada and it's really beautiful," she said. "We love nature and it has so much to offer that we believe will be very fulfilling for the both of us."
If you're a homeowner, prospective buyer, or renter with a story to tell about today's housing market, contact this reporter at alloyd@insider.com.
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