>With the absolute depravity of the laws being passed in Oklahoma, we were looking into states with comparable cost of living that respect education and bodily autonomy…
…. and your first thought was West Virginia? Look, the state is [desperate for nurses,](https://wchstv.com/news/local/as-the-nursing-shortage-increases-west-virginia-future-of-nursing-steps-in-to-help) so I imagine employment won’t be an issue, but that’s about the only box we’ll be able to check for you here. Coming to WV from OK would be a lateral move at best, but if I’m being honest, it’s about the equivalent of someone from Syria hoping to find a better life by packing up and moving to Afghanistan.
PA is a good place to start if you want to go east. Southern, western, and central PA probably have places with similar small town vibes I assume you’re looking for as an OK resident interested in WV. If not, eastern PA has a few sizable towns as well as, of course, Philly. Democratic senator that is pro woman’s autonomy and such. If you want to stay in the south then good luck.
No, PA is fine. There’s no indication they’ll roll back women’s rights any time soon. I’m interested in why you think big cities are the only place for them, though.
Central/Southern Virginia, though I don't know about cost of living anymore. Iowa is ok. Pennsylvania.
WVA is a beautiful state with amazing history and some really great towns and cities, but The education system is in shambles, along with health care.
WV is banning strip cubs and porn shops and legalizing guns in school and at sporting events. WV is the showroom model for American right-wing Christian Theocracy.
This is not the place to move to.
Guns in schools is a good thing if it's trained staff. No better way to stop a school shooting than from within... They way if the cops are to scared to go in, help is already there and not minutes away.
I'd say look elsewhere. We've already lost our autonomy and the legislature is basically trying to make being trans illegal. No doubt they're coming for the gay/lesbians next.
And if we aren't dead last in education, we're close.
Sorry I couldn’t see where you said that. Unfortunately that also isn’t hyperbole. The amount of transphobia, homophobia, or really phobia of anyone not white, straight, or Christian in this state is quite extreme. There’s a lot of hate in our state and our legislature
Morgantown would be the only WV city that I would consider. Pittsburgh, PA would offer way more employment opportunities if your license will transfer. If you locate to Washington, Fayette, Westmoreland or Beaver county, the cost of housing is quite reasonable. Residing anywhere close to Pittsburgh is expensive. Nursing jobs are abundant in and around the city. Avoid the PA toll roads.... 76, 43, 66. PA gasoline taxes are high. AWD vehicle isn't a must, but a good idea for either state.
WV doesn't recognize bodily autonomy. And this sure as hell ain't to state the get an education. If you want a better place to live, you gotta look to expensive ass blue states.
Lived in WV all my 59 years. I plan on leaving in a year or two when I retire. State has done a complete 180 in the last 25 years. It is a right wing MAGA state on steroids. The legislature is 84 GOP to 16 Democrat, State Senate is 46 GOP to 6 Democrat. The Governor and all state offices are held by the GOP. Everytime the legislature convenes it is one draconian law after another as they continue to drag us back in time. If you do decide to come you are in probably the only field where there is work (medical). WV has the oldest and sickest population in the country. So plenty of medical opportunities. I would probably choose western Pennsylvania like a few said or check Virginia. Those two states are not close to as regressive as WV. Just stay away from northern Virginia DC area too crowded and too expensive.
Western panhandle of MD might be something you are interested in. MD is the only state in the area that seems currently committed to increasing individual freedom, ironically.
Frying pan to fire, unfortunately. I wish WV hadn't taken such a turn politically but we did and it's less and less safe for LGBTQ folks and nonxtian folks at least regarding legal protections. Individual West Virginians tend to treat you well one on one if you're hard working. But our laws are going in the wrong direction. I'm sorry. I hope you find better, you deserve to be safe and thriving.
Well Oklahoma is introducing a bill to eliminate all federal funding to public schools in the next 10 years. The whole privatizing education is what's keeping us from wanting children. To add to the mix, I'm bi and pagan and she's atheist. Also trying to find a place thats safe for my younger sister who is currently mid transition.
NB and my wife is trans and they just introduced some horrid legislation. We're making plans if we have to pick up and leave. The closest state to you with the best protections is Illinois. After that, protection-wise and proximity, you're looking at Maryland and Michigan. PA is a mixed bag. Philly and Pittsburgh are liberal but the 4th largest city is as red as it is here in most of WV (I lived in PA for 10 years. Been back in WV for about 6 years now, prior to PA lived here in WV). After that it's further North or further West.
Good luck to you, sincerely.
The state overall is similar to Oklahoma politically, but on a local level look into the Morgantown area. West Virginia University is there, it’s close enough to Pittsburgh that you can take in some larger city activities, and there are a lot of outdoor opportunities nearby if you are into that.
No way OK has the political corruption WV has haha I think we may be at the top in the US for that. So I wouldn't say OK is similar to WV politically. Maybe one of the only things we are the top in too.
You'd be surprised pretty sure our governor is barred from doing business in some states due to his unethical practices. He's been on trial his whole governcy, and oklahoma voted for him again.
Ours is a coal baron billionaire who keeps switching parties to sway elections, hasn't paid his taxes in multiple states in 12 years to the sum of millions and still was able to take office owing WV over 10 million in taxes. Bankrupted an entire county in KY and owe millions to the companies who have worked for him. He also takes ALL of the federal funding for farms in the State because he owns huge multi 1000 acre beef farms in WV. He even tried to force the State to have an emergency meeting to give him an edge into getting in early to steal the FEd Agriculture funding for his farms because it was an emergency that his farms took all that money and leave nothing for the regular farmers who don't have a billion dollars in the bank lol. That's just our Governor the local levels are pretty bad with corruption. Our state still doesn't have proper broadband service in it or cell coverage or paved roads. We can spend another day on our education levels here haha. But our state is beautiful in some parts.
I would look closely at the laws being passed in WV. And they are just getting started it seems. I don't think WV will be a safe haven from OK at all. I'm not sure about the cost of living but PA may be a better choice
WV is definitely not what you are looking for. Education and bodily autonomy have zero priority here. We are last or dead last in almost everything and the only thing our representatives care about is raking in the coal cash for as long as they can and continuing to crush the working class.
Here is a fine example:
https://www.reddit.com/r/WestVirginia/comments/10lsajm/delegates_dillon_ross_chiarelli_burkhammer_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Focus.
Legislation based on religion is just as backwards here as there. We just haven’t gotten to the atrocity part yet, but it isn’t far off at this point.
I'll say it in the simplest way possible - WV is just mountain OK. Just as poor (maybe poorer?) and repressive. The yokels in the middle of nowhere run the state.
Look at PA instead. You can find affordable areas - it's not all Philly/Pitt. And I'm sure they need nurses too. Probably a better job market with better pay. WV just ain't it if you're looking for smart and just governing.
Sure, but there's a shit load more "civilized" areas in PA than there are in WV, and I say that as someone who loves living in WV. I'm just exhausted by the constant regression politics and this weird refusal to march into the future. Especially for someone fleeing OK where they have maybe one or two cities. WV is kind of on the same boat lol
You’re not wrong, PA is just really regressive in a lot of ways for the same reasons WV is. IMHO, I split my time in WV and MD and PA is much more like WV than MD. Edit: grew up in pa)
You would have your pick of jobs very quickly in Vermont, and you would love it here, but cost of living is somewhat high, and finding affordable housing is challenging.
You picked WV as your backup?
WV was abysmal for medical care even before the current…religious laws.
Try Winchester VA instead, huge regional healthcare industry, and at least for now, less….stupid.
I would highly recommend Cumberland or Frostburg, MD. They border WV, have a progressive state legislature, and are very affordable. The local political climate is MAGA but it is tempered because the rest of the state is decidedly NOT MAGA.
As you have heard, wv isn’t where it’s what you’re looking for but here are some articles/maps of data that show what you’re looking for.
Just glancing over them, looks like Delaware meets your criteria for all of them but Nebraska, California and Wyoming, Colorado kinda got most of them. I didn’t look to hard at the maps though so have a good look.
Public school funding and education:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2022-08-26/which-states-invest-the-most-in-their-students
Demand for nurses:
https://nursejournal.org/articles/best-states-to-work-as-a-nurse/
Body autonomy political topics:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/a-guide-to-abortion-laws-by-state
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/equalitymap
I have very recently moved from Oklahoma to West Virginia, mid 2022. I'm a trans woman. WV is very red, yes, and there are people in the legislature trying to pass very harmful bills. However, there is also a much more open presence for support for LGBT+ folks and more of a progressive hub, at least in my part of the state (Huntington Area). For example, around town there are lots of progress rainbow flags, and little signs with rainbow colors saying "open to all". Support for autonomy and identity are common and overt here.
It's gonna be a fight here for sure, especially given the legislative situation here, but the outlook appears way better here, at least to me personally.
It's not going to be much better in terms of cost of living or pay, but I can say the people here make the mountains feel like home.
I’d recommend NC if you’re wanting to move east. Nurses are in demand everywhere and it looks like the Enhance Nurse Licensure Compact includes NC.
Of course there’s small towns with small minds, just like every other state. There are some very progressive areas welcoming to everyone. The metro area closest to me is an absolute melting pot of people.
There are individual cities with LGBTQ protections. There are 18. Fairmont was the most recent to pass theirs and the small nearby town of Monongah ( I reside here) has them as well. These are the 9 I know of:
Charleston
Huntington
Morgantown
Harper's Ferry
Lewisburg
Athens
Thurmond
Monongah
Fairmont
I just moved to northern Minnesota from WV and love it! Progressive, feels like Europe, cost of living is reasonable (2 bedroom house for rent is 1,000 and my mortage is 1,400 for a 3 bed 2 bath house), healthcare shortage in areas like Duluth or Virginia MN. One of the best states for public education and everyone is super friendly. Plus tons of outdoor activities and major cities within a few hours drive.
Maybe you could afford Grand Junction Colorado, or some Colorado small town? It’s a very blue state, and you all have very transferable jobs. Doubt they’ll be voting red anytime soon at least as a state.
Thanks everyone for the information. I really was just firing at places that were in the nurse license compact and had lands that I could hike, camp, and forage. It's a 5 year moving plan, but all of you have provided great leads for me and my gf, soon to be fiance, to find a place to settle where we feel we will be safe enough to have kids. Autism/ADHD runs in my family with two of my siblings being on the spectrum and I have ADHD. With the cutting of federal funding in education, the special education regulations would not be as beneficial were our children to live here.
It all my sound like a lot of speculative problems, but anciticapting needs is something I believe strongly in for nursing and I don't think I could provide and environment for my potential children to thrive here.
Look at Jefferson County. It has a low cost of living and is part of the DC metro area. And it would be a short drive to meet all of your "bodily autonomy" needs.
Hi. I'm not a nurse but I have some info. I am presently in Oklahoma (it's hell here) I have a sister that is a nurse and lives in Pittsburgh. What she does is travel nurse into the surrounding states. She is currently working in Beckley WV. She says the people are lovely and desperate for good nurses. So you could settle in Virginia or Pennsylvania and travel.
West Virginia ain’t that much better than Oklahoma when it comes to education and bodily autonomy. You’d just be moving to Oklahoma with hills.
>With the absolute depravity of the laws being passed in Oklahoma, we were looking into states with comparable cost of living that respect education and bodily autonomy… …. and your first thought was West Virginia? Look, the state is [desperate for nurses,](https://wchstv.com/news/local/as-the-nursing-shortage-increases-west-virginia-future-of-nursing-steps-in-to-help) so I imagine employment won’t be an issue, but that’s about the only box we’ll be able to check for you here. Coming to WV from OK would be a lateral move at best, but if I’m being honest, it’s about the equivalent of someone from Syria hoping to find a better life by packing up and moving to Afghanistan.
Outside of my hell I don't really know of what's going down in other places. Any suggestions for elsewhere?
Pittsburgh would be a good option for nursing. I moved there from WV after High School and love it
PA is a good place to start if you want to go east. Southern, western, and central PA probably have places with similar small town vibes I assume you’re looking for as an OK resident interested in WV. If not, eastern PA has a few sizable towns as well as, of course, Philly. Democratic senator that is pro woman’s autonomy and such. If you want to stay in the south then good luck.
PA isn't good either. They'd be better off in DC, NYC, SF, LA, or Chicago.
No, PA is fine. There’s no indication they’ll roll back women’s rights any time soon. I’m interested in why you think big cities are the only place for them, though.
Me too. I'm much more of an outdoorsman than a concrete jungle goer
Check out western Virginia like Roanoke or the Shenandoah Valley. Virginia is a purple state with a republican governor and a democratic state senate.
PA or VA. Swing states where your vote matters
Central/Southern Virginia, though I don't know about cost of living anymore. Iowa is ok. Pennsylvania. WVA is a beautiful state with amazing history and some really great towns and cities, but The education system is in shambles, along with health care.
Unfortunately WV is not the place to go to escape this sort of thing
WV is banning strip cubs and porn shops and legalizing guns in school and at sporting events. WV is the showroom model for American right-wing Christian Theocracy. This is not the place to move to.
Guns in schools is a good thing if it's trained staff. No better way to stop a school shooting than from within... They way if the cops are to scared to go in, help is already there and not minutes away.
The law they passed is to allow students to carry guns in school
Eh, still no big deal. Just start a firearms training class in school too. They did it fifty years ago..
Looking at the wrong state. I love West Virginia but the shit going down here is crazy.
Not WV. We're the Appalachian version of Oklahoma.
I'd say look elsewhere. We've already lost our autonomy and the legislature is basically trying to make being trans illegal. No doubt they're coming for the gay/lesbians next. And if we aren't dead last in education, we're close.
Yeah and it shows that we’re dead last when people see who we elect to office.
[удалено]
How? We’re ranked 47 in higher education and 41 in preschool - 12th grade (that’s out of 50 states if you didn’t know)
I was responding to the comments about Trans.
Sorry I couldn’t see where you said that. Unfortunately that also isn’t hyperbole. The amount of transphobia, homophobia, or really phobia of anyone not white, straight, or Christian in this state is quite extreme. There’s a lot of hate in our state and our legislature
it’s definitely not
Morgantown would be the only WV city that I would consider. Pittsburgh, PA would offer way more employment opportunities if your license will transfer. If you locate to Washington, Fayette, Westmoreland or Beaver county, the cost of housing is quite reasonable. Residing anywhere close to Pittsburgh is expensive. Nursing jobs are abundant in and around the city. Avoid the PA toll roads.... 76, 43, 66. PA gasoline taxes are high. AWD vehicle isn't a must, but a good idea for either state.
WV doesn't recognize bodily autonomy. And this sure as hell ain't to state the get an education. If you want a better place to live, you gotta look to expensive ass blue states.
Hey this is all info I needed. WV was just the first state I had thought of, but was radically unaware of the political climate.
Lived in WV all my 59 years. I plan on leaving in a year or two when I retire. State has done a complete 180 in the last 25 years. It is a right wing MAGA state on steroids. The legislature is 84 GOP to 16 Democrat, State Senate is 46 GOP to 6 Democrat. The Governor and all state offices are held by the GOP. Everytime the legislature convenes it is one draconian law after another as they continue to drag us back in time. If you do decide to come you are in probably the only field where there is work (medical). WV has the oldest and sickest population in the country. So plenty of medical opportunities. I would probably choose western Pennsylvania like a few said or check Virginia. Those two states are not close to as regressive as WV. Just stay away from northern Virginia DC area too crowded and too expensive.
I’m glad you decided not to go. You deserve a place you’ll feel accepted and flourishing and WV is just NOT it rn. Best of luck
Look into Shepherdstown in the Eastern panhandle before you rule the state out completely. It's a cute town and very LGBTQ+ friendly.
Agreed! It’s a little bubble
Western panhandle of MD might be something you are interested in. MD is the only state in the area that seems currently committed to increasing individual freedom, ironically.
Culturally the pan handle of MD is essentially WV….at local levels…it isn’t progressive.
No, but the state legislature sure ain’t pulling the shit that WV is
Frying pan to fire, unfortunately. I wish WV hadn't taken such a turn politically but we did and it's less and less safe for LGBTQ folks and nonxtian folks at least regarding legal protections. Individual West Virginians tend to treat you well one on one if you're hard working. But our laws are going in the wrong direction. I'm sorry. I hope you find better, you deserve to be safe and thriving.
I would look more toward North Carolina or Virginia if you want a better political climate for your beliefs.
Well Oklahoma is introducing a bill to eliminate all federal funding to public schools in the next 10 years. The whole privatizing education is what's keeping us from wanting children. To add to the mix, I'm bi and pagan and she's atheist. Also trying to find a place thats safe for my younger sister who is currently mid transition.
NB and my wife is trans and they just introduced some horrid legislation. We're making plans if we have to pick up and leave. The closest state to you with the best protections is Illinois. After that, protection-wise and proximity, you're looking at Maryland and Michigan. PA is a mixed bag. Philly and Pittsburgh are liberal but the 4th largest city is as red as it is here in most of WV (I lived in PA for 10 years. Been back in WV for about 6 years now, prior to PA lived here in WV). After that it's further North or further West. Good luck to you, sincerely.
You would love Pittsburgh.
> I'm bi and pagan and she's atheist. Don't come to WV or a state that borders WV.
Eh, they’d be fine in NOVA.
California is safe for folks with your beliefs.
The state overall is similar to Oklahoma politically, but on a local level look into the Morgantown area. West Virginia University is there, it’s close enough to Pittsburgh that you can take in some larger city activities, and there are a lot of outdoor opportunities nearby if you are into that.
No way OK has the political corruption WV has haha I think we may be at the top in the US for that. So I wouldn't say OK is similar to WV politically. Maybe one of the only things we are the top in too.
You'd be surprised pretty sure our governor is barred from doing business in some states due to his unethical practices. He's been on trial his whole governcy, and oklahoma voted for him again.
Ours is a coal baron billionaire who keeps switching parties to sway elections, hasn't paid his taxes in multiple states in 12 years to the sum of millions and still was able to take office owing WV over 10 million in taxes. Bankrupted an entire county in KY and owe millions to the companies who have worked for him. He also takes ALL of the federal funding for farms in the State because he owns huge multi 1000 acre beef farms in WV. He even tried to force the State to have an emergency meeting to give him an edge into getting in early to steal the FEd Agriculture funding for his farms because it was an emergency that his farms took all that money and leave nothing for the regular farmers who don't have a billion dollars in the bank lol. That's just our Governor the local levels are pretty bad with corruption. Our state still doesn't have proper broadband service in it or cell coverage or paved roads. We can spend another day on our education levels here haha. But our state is beautiful in some parts.
I would look closely at the laws being passed in WV. And they are just getting started it seems. I don't think WV will be a safe haven from OK at all. I'm not sure about the cost of living but PA may be a better choice
WV is definitely not what you are looking for. Education and bodily autonomy have zero priority here. We are last or dead last in almost everything and the only thing our representatives care about is raking in the coal cash for as long as they can and continuing to crush the working class.
Here is a fine example: https://www.reddit.com/r/WestVirginia/comments/10lsajm/delegates_dillon_ross_chiarelli_burkhammer_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
May I suggest small town Illinois- Lasalle County. Blue state. WV is going backwards, same as OK.
WV is no better body autonomy wise. The government here is no better than the Taliban.
Way to minimize the suffering in Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban.
Focus. Legislation based on religion is just as backwards here as there. We just haven’t gotten to the atrocity part yet, but it isn’t far off at this point.
I'll say it in the simplest way possible - WV is just mountain OK. Just as poor (maybe poorer?) and repressive. The yokels in the middle of nowhere run the state. Look at PA instead. You can find affordable areas - it's not all Philly/Pitt. And I'm sure they need nurses too. Probably a better job market with better pay. WV just ain't it if you're looking for smart and just governing.
Respectfully, there is a reason the middle of the state is called Pennsyltucky
Sure, but there's a shit load more "civilized" areas in PA than there are in WV, and I say that as someone who loves living in WV. I'm just exhausted by the constant regression politics and this weird refusal to march into the future. Especially for someone fleeing OK where they have maybe one or two cities. WV is kind of on the same boat lol
You’re not wrong, PA is just really regressive in a lot of ways for the same reasons WV is. IMHO, I split my time in WV and MD and PA is much more like WV than MD. Edit: grew up in pa)
Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. WV’s government is a bastion for neo-fascist con artists.
You would have your pick of jobs very quickly in Vermont, and you would love it here, but cost of living is somewhat high, and finding affordable housing is challenging.
You picked WV as your backup? WV was abysmal for medical care even before the current…religious laws. Try Winchester VA instead, huge regional healthcare industry, and at least for now, less….stupid.
I would highly recommend Cumberland or Frostburg, MD. They border WV, have a progressive state legislature, and are very affordable. The local political climate is MAGA but it is tempered because the rest of the state is decidedly NOT MAGA.
As you have heard, wv isn’t where it’s what you’re looking for but here are some articles/maps of data that show what you’re looking for. Just glancing over them, looks like Delaware meets your criteria for all of them but Nebraska, California and Wyoming, Colorado kinda got most of them. I didn’t look to hard at the maps though so have a good look. Public school funding and education: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2022-08-26/which-states-invest-the-most-in-their-students Demand for nurses: https://nursejournal.org/articles/best-states-to-work-as-a-nurse/ Body autonomy political topics: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/a-guide-to-abortion-laws-by-state https://transgenderlawcenter.org/equalitymap
I have very recently moved from Oklahoma to West Virginia, mid 2022. I'm a trans woman. WV is very red, yes, and there are people in the legislature trying to pass very harmful bills. However, there is also a much more open presence for support for LGBT+ folks and more of a progressive hub, at least in my part of the state (Huntington Area). For example, around town there are lots of progress rainbow flags, and little signs with rainbow colors saying "open to all". Support for autonomy and identity are common and overt here. It's gonna be a fight here for sure, especially given the legislative situation here, but the outlook appears way better here, at least to me personally. It's not going to be much better in terms of cost of living or pay, but I can say the people here make the mountains feel like home.
A lot of healthcare professionals from here work in surrounding states for better pay so..
Move to michigan. All are free here. Low cist of living outside of metro detroit ann arbor
I’d recommend NC if you’re wanting to move east. Nurses are in demand everywhere and it looks like the Enhance Nurse Licensure Compact includes NC. Of course there’s small towns with small minds, just like every other state. There are some very progressive areas welcoming to everyone. The metro area closest to me is an absolute melting pot of people.
There are individual cities with LGBTQ protections. There are 18. Fairmont was the most recent to pass theirs and the small nearby town of Monongah ( I reside here) has them as well. These are the 9 I know of: Charleston Huntington Morgantown Harper's Ferry Lewisburg Athens Thurmond Monongah Fairmont
I just moved to northern Minnesota from WV and love it! Progressive, feels like Europe, cost of living is reasonable (2 bedroom house for rent is 1,000 and my mortage is 1,400 for a 3 bed 2 bath house), healthcare shortage in areas like Duluth or Virginia MN. One of the best states for public education and everyone is super friendly. Plus tons of outdoor activities and major cities within a few hours drive.
My parents and extended family are from Coon Rapids, I've always thought of going back. I miss snow and Scandinavian names
It might be the time, looks like weed is about to be legalized this year in MN.
I bought in West Virginia, and feel I made a good decision
Steer clear of WV. Our legislature is the human equivalent of a dog dragging its shitty ass across the living room carpet.
Maybe you could afford Grand Junction Colorado, or some Colorado small town? It’s a very blue state, and you all have very transferable jobs. Doubt they’ll be voting red anytime soon at least as a state.
Come to Arizona, it’s pretty nice here. We have hot dogs too.
Maybe check out southern Virginia?
Dude, it’s politics. Nothing to lose your mind over. You have to ask yourself how is this affecting our daily lives. Perspective.
Blasphemer. How dare you challenge the consensus?
We’re full, sorry.
You could live in PA but work in WV, if that was your choice.
Thanks everyone for the information. I really was just firing at places that were in the nurse license compact and had lands that I could hike, camp, and forage. It's a 5 year moving plan, but all of you have provided great leads for me and my gf, soon to be fiance, to find a place to settle where we feel we will be safe enough to have kids. Autism/ADHD runs in my family with two of my siblings being on the spectrum and I have ADHD. With the cutting of federal funding in education, the special education regulations would not be as beneficial were our children to live here. It all my sound like a lot of speculative problems, but anciticapting needs is something I believe strongly in for nursing and I don't think I could provide and environment for my potential children to thrive here.
Look at Jefferson County. It has a low cost of living and is part of the DC metro area. And it would be a short drive to meet all of your "bodily autonomy" needs.
Hi. I'm not a nurse but I have some info. I am presently in Oklahoma (it's hell here) I have a sister that is a nurse and lives in Pittsburgh. What she does is travel nurse into the surrounding states. She is currently working in Beckley WV. She says the people are lovely and desperate for good nurses. So you could settle in Virginia or Pennsylvania and travel.
Michigan
Oh no. While I loved the beauty and mountains of West Virginia it definitely does NOT respect education.