Was going to say something similar.

Having grown up in a small idyllic town, there was beauty in the slow struggle to live there.

OP would do well to try and learn the culture before seeking to change it. There’s value beyond “cheaper houses” and “craft beer” in these places.

As someone from a small town in a rural area, can you expand on what values you have in mind? What I saw was grinding poverty, bad schools, bottom tier education, and rampant drug abuse.

Coincidentally the novel/film Winter’s Bone author portrayed this area, north Arkansas and southern Missouri.

The excellent serial podcast S*Town did a great job too, on exploring these themes.

https://stownpodcast.org/

By “the culture” are you referring to the high murder rate?

I grew up in a small town, too. Some are better than others. There doesn't seem to be any redeeming quality to Pine Bluff.

To you (and others), but not to everyone.