Rules for Red-State Relocators

I’ve had a number of conversations recently about conservatives from blue states moving en masse to red areas. Here are some takeaways:

1. Honor the culture you’re moving to and seek to reinforce it.

• This means no imposing market values. If they do not want a shopping mall, even if it is good for business, do not get on the town board and vote for one.

 

• This means conforming to local and historic norms. For example, do not move to cattle country and set up a church that sings to sea shanties.

 

• This means changing your habits. If the town’s sidewalks are folded up at 8pm don’t start a business that stays open later.

Remember, you’re an outsider. Others sacrificed to make the area hospitable to you and their progeny deserves a cultural inheritance.

2. Seek the good of the region you’re living in.

• This means investing locally. Cultivate interest in local news and politics. Attend local celebrations. Become a fan of local sports teams.

 

• This means spending money locally. Frequent local farm markets. Hire local contractors.

 

• This means investing in the community's spiritual condition. Try to attend a local church before starting a new one. Minister to the people around you.

You’re living somewhere new now and you must make decisions that help shape your identity to conform.

3. Never, never, never talk about how much better it was back home - at least to locals.

This encourages resentment and discourages your own family. Remember, you left there. Say you miss back home but are happy to be in the new place you’ve moved to. If it doesn’t have mountains or restaurants or something else, it was worth giving up for the benefits of the new area.