Sound like OP want to do a reverse Harriet Tubman, and grab Grandma and Clan and bring them down South. Folks ain't budging. You your own man OP, if other folks want to stay in Buffalo then take your DNA and go South and be fruitful.
As far as BigBlackButch, he's just doing what he knows and feels comfortable in. It is what it is. It could be worse. He's seem content with a job, friends , family, a girlfriend and weightlifting/hunting. Didn't realize he was a police officer.