Why Do You Stay in the Bay Area?

A recent Gallup Poll found that 14 percent of Californians plan on moving to a new state within the next 12 months. And 34 percent of residents would like to move if given the opportunity.

That puts California well above the nationwide average (6 percent) of people who will probably relocate and slightly above the U.S. average (34 percent) for those who would like to pack up and go. Although the state is not in the top 10 in either category, it's also not an oasis of complacency and contentment.

Are you wanting to leave? If not, what makes you stay?

KQED is partnering with public media stations around the country to explore what keeps people in place or  what motivates them to move. Do you love California's natural beauty? Or are you tired of paying so much for housing? No matter what your story is, we want to hear it on Instagram or Twitter.

How You Can Participate:

• Snap a photo that illustrates why you stay or what is driving you to move.
• Use the hashtag #WhyIStay when you post it to Instagram or Twitter.
• Tell us your story in a few sentences.
• Include which Bay Area city you're living in.
• Tag us: @kqednews. We may regram your pic! (Tip: While you're at it, be sure to follow our main account, @KQEDofficial )

We'll compile some of our favorites and share them on May 23.

Be sure to check out our partners in this project on Instagram:

WFAE (Charlotte, N.C.) - @wfaepublicradio
Boise State Public Radio - @boisestatepublicradio
WBUR (Boston, Mass.) - @wbur
WESA (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - @905wesa
St. Louis Public Radio - @stlpublicradio
Michigan Radio - @michiganradio
KUOW (Puget Sound Region, Wash.) - @kuow
WNYC (New York, N.Y.) - @wnyc
WVEP (West Virginia) - @wvpublicnews
WLRN (Miami, Fl.) - @wlrn
KTOO (Juneau, Alaska) - @ktoopubmedia