Midwest Crisis: Morgan in Los Angeles
“I couldn't see myself living long-term in a state that I felt was making so many unsustainable choices for our generation (Z).”
Morgan has moved from Nebraska twice: first, to England in 2015, and then to Los Angeles in 2018. She knew she wanted to move while in high school. She was open to living anywhere but the town she grew up in, and she ended up in England for college. She spent a year back in Omaha after her undergraduate degree. Her dad passed away during her last year of her degree, so she decided she needed to rest before applying to grad schools.
During that year back in Omaha, she was reminded of why she left in the first place. So, she exclusively applied to grad schools in Southern California to pursue a music career. She didn’t plan the move for very long, deciding to leave about a month and a half before her move. She’s been in the Los Angeles area ever since.
Hannah: What made you want to move out of Nebraska to where you live now?
Morgan: There are many reasons I left. I grew up in Omaha, and my family was military. The only reason we ended up there in the first place was because of my mom and dad’s orders. None of my family was from Nebraska- I had no roots there so-to-speak.
When I went to England all of my family was still there, but I just felt like I outgrew Omaha and felt it couldn't support my ambitions. I also disagreed with a lot of the decisions coming from the Nebraska State Legislature. I couldn't see myself living long-term in a state that I felt was making so many unsustainable choices for our generation (Z).
I had volunteered in the community quite often as a teen and during my gap year and I noticed that the situation especially in regards to mental illness and treatments available was rapidly deteriorating, and this played such a massive role in the types of issues I would see on the ground volunteering. Nebraska has high average mental health scores among residents, and I think because of that, they stopped taking the issue seriously. But it is nowhere near the top 10 for the quality of its mental healthcare system. Reasoning that you have lots of citizens that don't need those resources does nothing to help those who are struggling with mental health issues, and it winds up hurting the community by growing the homeless population especially. And, pair this information with the fact that we know mental illness is rising among Nebraska youth.
Omaha will always have a special place in my heart, but I worry for it in that regard. When I moved to Los Angeles there were added reasons- my dad had passed away and my mom had moved back to her home state. My brother stayed there, but after my Dad passed away I just didn't see a point in sticking around. I also didn't feel like I would be able to pursue a music career as effectively as I have been able to out in LA. Even if my Dad were still around, as he was when I moved to England, I doubt I would have stayed. But his passing gave me even more of a reason to leave.
Hannah: What do you do for work/education where you live now?
Morgan: I am still in grad school, but I am also a songwriter under a major music label. I am currently writing my own music as well. Had I not left, I don't think I would've gotten the opportunities I've had now.
Hannah: Would you have that opportunity in Nebraska?
Morgan: The opportunity to go to grad school, yes. The ease of access to the music industry, no.
Hannah: How has it been for you to build a community or support system?
Morgan: I moved by myself, and I did not know anyone. Since I live in Los Angeles, there are lots of opportunities to meet people outside of work or school. I find it quite easy to strike up a conversation at a coffee shop, bar, or even grocery store. There are also a ton of community organizations out here, whether you are interested in doing something creative, sports, politics, or advocacy. There are also so many cultural associations. In my case, Omaha has a fun PolishFest and St. Patrick’s Day, but Los Angeles’ events are even bigger.
Hannah: When it comes to politics in your area, where is energy spent?
Morgan: Los Angeles has its problems- don’t get me wrong. However one thing that is certainly better here are the availability of mental health resources, particularly mental health urgent cares. My health insurance co-pays, particularly for medicine, are also much lower. I also don't have to worry about my right to choose if I ever were to end up in that situation and needing to make that choice.
Nebraska’s politics was a major deciding factor in my departure- particularly the decision making coming from the governor and Rep. Don Bacon. My Dad served in the military for over 30 years and always disagreed with Don on a lot. I had met him at one of his town halls in Ralston and it felt exactly like you'd expect talking to a politician feels like. I feel like Nebraskans deserve better, but I couldn't stick around to fight that fight.
Hannah: What has it been like to adjust to the size of the city you moved to?
Morgan: The one area I've struggled with is that people are more passive out here. They are kind once you strike up a conversation, but they aren't going to go out of their way to greet you unless you're in one of the previously mentioned farming communities in the area. Therefore, you do have to learn to take more initiative when getting to know people.
Hannah: What else have you adjusted to in your new place?
Morgan: The threat of wildfires has probably been my biggest adjustment because the climate is warmer out here. However, there is also a discussion to be had about what is happening at a global scale that leads to the threat here first- perhaps Nebraska later. In any case, I know the rules of fire safety now; though it hasn't come up for me personally yet.
Hannah: How affordable actually was it for you to move out of Nebraska?
Morgan: Affordability really depends on where you're going. If you want to come to Los Angeles, you'll need school or a good paying job. I found access to healthcare, however, much more attainable and there are many more discount grocery stores out here than in Omaha. Public transportation being so much better and convenient with the Metro means I am also able to save gas money.
I was also really surprised to come here and find that it's not as urban as I expected… in North County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire there are actually a ton of farming communities who focus in livestock and citrus. If I stay out here, I think I’d like to have my own little farm in one of those areas and focus on sustainable growing and healthy living. There is an opportunity for a really simple life out here, and there are no shortages of cowboy boots and country music bars! Just look at Temecula, Norco, and Ontario as examples. The Central Valley of California is also very rural. It's an incredibly diverse state with people from all walks of life.
Hannah: How about opportunities to explore outside of work - are these actually affordable?
Morgan: Touristy places are expensive, of course. Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and the like will run up the bill. But parks are free, museums are either free or inexpensive, and the arts actually thrive on a budget much more here than in Omaha. There are so many art walks, performances, and festivals that are free to the public in the community. The arts are a huge part of LA’s culture, so it makes sense. You should be able to catch a show for free most weekends.
Hannah: What do you wish you’d known before you moved that may help someone else who is looking to move out of Nebraska now?
Morgan: Start your journey with roommates your first year- then decide if you'd rather live alone. Preferably locals who can show you around.
Hannah: Did you find what you were looking for in your move?
Morgan: There are definitely things I like here that are different from Nebraska. There is a diverse food selection, better public transport, better mental healthcare access and more to do. I also don't have to worry about many of the same things politically.
Morgan also shared that living in LA, she is able to find more people and especially men that she feels respect her and view her as an equal, regardless of her gender. She also studied in England, and shared that it was more affordable there - school was cheaper, healthcare was free, and the public transportation was good. She said the food and people were awful.
Midwest Crisis is a new project from Hannah Michelle Bussa. People are leaving the state of Nebraska, but research on the topic is limited. Join Hannah as she interviews individuals with various perspectives on their choices - to move and to stay - each week this spring.
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Do you want to share your story about moving from or deciding to stay in the Midwest? Please email hanmichelleb@gmail.com!