Getting depressed. I have my dream but.... [View all]
I grew up on a farm but ended up living in cities for my work in IT. I never wanted to live in a city. I'm a country girl at heart. I've lived as rural as my job commute allowed, and have had chickens and gardens, etc. but now that I'm finally retired I bought a beautiful home way out in the country. I have eight acres nestled in the mountains. It's been my dream come true.
...Until election season arrived and I realized I am surrounded by people with whom I have nothing in common except our proximity. Every one of my neighbors has a Trump sign. I mean every single one of them for miles. A very sweet couple live across the road and have been friendly and helpful but like all the others around here, they are evangelical Christians. It's so hard to reconcile their sweet personalities and their religion to the man they support for president. I will always be polite and friendly to my neighbors, but I see no chance of ever finding close friends among them. And to be honest, I worry they would turn against me if they knew just how very liberal I really am.
I've seen the political maps of blue and red. Supposedly Biden got 35% of the vote in our precinct, so at least 35% of the local voters are sane. But how in the world do I meet them? I'm guessing they lay low like I do in these parts. (I'd be terrified to put a Harris/Walz sign out.) I do go to the local towns for outings and recreation, and they are much more liberal there, but I sure would like to know my left-leaning rural neighbors.
Sorry for rambling but my question is...How do you all meet other rural liberals? Also, how do you manage being surrounded so completely with hardcore conservatives? I'm actually considering moving to Vermont or somewhere there are more rural Democrats.
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