Do I move my family across the country & away from family for opportunity & hopefully fulfillment or stay in my hometown that we don’t fit into to be near family?

I apologize if this seems like I’m rambling, im trying to condense & also still get my position across. Do I stay and live in a town I do not enjoy but be close to family or do I move away to a place with opportunity, diversity, and beauty but be an airplane ride away from my family?

I am from rural & religious Midwest. I moved away for college and 8 years after. I met my husband and we had a baby. Realized we wanted another but would benefit greatly from being close to my family so we moved back to my home town. I thought after all of this time I would feel differently but I still struggle being surrounded by very religious and also small minded, small town, folk. They’re so sweet and welcoming but it just has never felt right. BUT I looove my family. Love my nieces and my sister and my parents. They’re so great and this is where they all live.

I was able to be away for so long and not bat an eye. But now that I’m back I feel it’s going to be very difficult to leave. I love seeing the relationship my parents and sibling have with my two boys and vice versa. They could be happy here, I was as a kid. I also think about my parents aging and don’t want to regret moving away as their years are limited. They’re in their upper 60s and healthy, but you know, anxious what if thoughts. I do think time spent together when living further away does feel more intentional though, so hopefully with the extra intention I wouldn’t have thoughts of regret… I just don’t know. I’d feel bad taking my boys away from my parents like that. They love them so much.

I am torn. Do I give my boys access to their grandparents and cousins while sacrificing opportunity? Do I move there somewhere beautiful like the PNW to allow them to meet all walks of life and beliefs? More opportunity, more diversity?

I remember being a kid and wondering why I grew up where I did when other more beautiful places existed. Now I see the difficult dilemma. I would love to hear your thoughts and what you did.

I’m jealous of the locals who are happy to live in their small cornfield town. Ignorance really is bliss I think