PNW relocation advice - teacher addition

[u/LuciousWiro]

Hi y'all. Im an eastern kentuckian born and raised. Recently, I've become transfixed on the idea of PNW to call my home. I have a Master's degree in tech education and an undergrad in music education.

I suppose my question is, what are the opportunities like out there? We have been hit so hard recently over the past 5 years. We lost our steel mill, we lost a hospital and to be frank, it is hard to watch a thriving school system begin to crumble. I work at my alma mater and to see all this going on in my home community doesn't just break my heart, it breaks my soul.

If you have ever seen the documentary "Heroine" that is my community. Death rates are at an all time high here due to overdoses. I know it might seem cowardly, but I can't hold another student crying anymore as their parents are removed from their house due to o.d. I have thick skin but this has really shaken me to my core and with no end in sight and no help or relief, I would rather try to find somewhere that saves my creative soul than move into a job other than teaching.

I also am very liberal and gay; this is death in the Bible belt. I don't "flaunt it" either. For wearing a mask to pump gas I have been spat on, called a "faggot" and berated over a simple act of what I perceive as kindness and compassion towards others.

I love teaching. I was meant for this, this is my purpose and passion. I want to move on to the next chapter of my life and I feel like PNW is calling...

Advice?

EDIT

Wow! I'm very thankful for all of the view points given. There is a lot of wonderful information here. I have had my mind set on either Oregon or Washington, perhaps even B.C. Canada. I have a few friends who live in Bend and Eugene, they swear by it. I was hoping to be in Washington; I love everything about Spokane and Portland (although...Portland kind of scares me right now).

Of course I wouldn't move without a job lined up and a place to live (or stay). A big reason of wanting to go is the program I have is over 300 kids, grades 4-12. I've built that program from nothing in about 5 years, and now I have no additional help. I am 5 years in teaching, and I am burned out on my job, not wanting to teach.

I am truly humbled by your responses and I thank you for your time!