There are some exceptions, but years ago I saw a clear trend in facebook posts from people I knew in high school. Most of those who stayed in my home county, or who simply moved to another rural county or small town in central or western NC, their political, religious, and cultural views have barely changed in the 25+ years since I graduated. However, those who left for good after high school and now live in larger cities (even if they stayed in NC) tend to be much more liberal, politically and culturally. Even those who left and are still conservative aren't nearly as culturally conservative as the ones who stayed in rural NC, and their values resemble those of suburban, business-oriented Republicans instead of the Religious Right. As I said, there are some notable exceptions in both cases - I know some rural liberals and urban right-wingers, but they're definitely the exceptions, not the rule. Going to college and grad school, traveling a good deal, living in large cities, making friends with people of different races, religions, sexual orientation, etc. aren't a guarantee that you'll be more liberal, but in my experience it certainly helps. There's definitely something comforting and secure about staying in your hometown or in another similar town, but it also doesn't require you to stretch yourself, and your chances of meeting people different from you are a lot less in most rural places and small towns.
