Best thing that ever happened to me was moving two states away for graduate school. It opened my eyes to how much more there is out there. Even through undergrad, I had no intention of ever living anywhere but my hometown. Now I'm 4 months away from moving 5000 miles away.
I live about 1500 miles from my mom and dad. I'm in Utah and they're in IL. (well, at them moment I'm in Illinois too.. but.. Visiting) I have two brothers who, after living all over, have moved back to IL. I have another brother who lives in the boonies of Washington state. My mom picked up and moved 6300 miles from her friends and family when she was in her 20's. So, wanderlust kind of runs our family. LOL My only real regret is waiting so long to get the heck out of Illinois. (I moved off to ND when I was 18 but moved back because there were no jobs up there at the time plus it's freaking cold) My mom living in Chicagoland was the big reason I didn't move out-of-state sooner. I lived about 150 miles from Chicago because I didn't want to be any closer but I also wanted to be close enough to my mom that I could run up there in a few hours when she needed me. My mom knew how much I wanted to get out of Illinois so she told me to go ahead. My brothers could take care of her if she needs something. So now I just visit.
I know I answered you on FB, Tony, but there shouldn't really ever be anything holding you back. If you want change, go for it. You only live once. I personally think I'm growing and changing with each passing year with regard to my stance on this situation. When I was really young (early teens), I saw myself building a home along a nice lake in TN or Ark of all things (I was more into fishing back then). In my high school and college years, I hoped to settle back home and buy a good chunk of land and settle down with my future wife (turned out she became my wife :D ). Of course, reality struck, and only half of that goal came to realization. We both have a great jobs and have bought and remodeled a decent home on 2 acres (a far cry from what I had envisioned). For the first 4-5 years (we've been here six), the plan was to build equity in this house and finally be able to find land to build our "dream" home on here in the area. We've built the equity, but the land hasn't come. In fact, we're seeing inflated land prices due to gas development, all the while not really seeing an uptick in the socioeconomic environment around the area. Our plans are starting to change a little (at least for now). I can live away from my parents. I would miss them, but I can do it (plus they would still have one grand daughter and favorite daughter living locally). My wife, however, is another story. She's VERY close with her whole family, and she has a big family. She doesn't want to leave her job or them, so I won't pry. We both really don't like the length of our winter. I like cold weather for hunting season and Christmas. After that, I like it more mild (50s, 60s and higher). We know our current home isn't big enough for us, or more importantly, a family. Instead of killing ourselves trying to buy a ton of ground in an area that we don't plan to spend 12 months a year in forever, we may just buy a home on a couple of acres, bank the money saved, and retire early (it's reasonable for us to both be able to pull that off by the age of 50). At that point (most likely before), we would like to buy a home in the south somewhere and semi-retire there. So, I guess that's my roundabout response.
Just for kicks, I researched teacher salaries in KY, TN, NC, and SC. Ouch I make more only 8 years in than most do at the top of the scales in those states.
I am not going to move. I live about 25 miles from where I grew up, my wife as well. I love the area I live if I lived in the suburbs I would have a different opinion. My wife on when it's cold asks me why do we live here? I am really lucky in that when we looked for a house we found a diamond in the rough. We have remodeled pretty much every room and worked on improving the land for close to 25 years needless to say we are emotionally connected to this land. My place is my refuge and I plan on living here till I pass. I will have a place where it is warm to go once the kids are done with college but will always keep the farm.
I like my job, but do not particularly like this area. I would love to move out of here.........especially since receiving word from the county executive this morning the county government is going on a payraise freeze for the next five years. That hurts.
I made quite the move after college. 2 miles! I wouldn't change it for anything. All of my family is here, my hunting and there is no way I could leave farming. My fiancé is from the cities ~ 2.5 hours away and she hates going back there. We found our home for sure.
I moved about 15 houses up the road from where I grew up (same road). But, I have no regrets. I live in a small town where everyone minds their own business - but keeps an eye out for everyone. It is in the country - but close enough to many things. I have a neighbor down the road, some woods, a hayfield out my front window, and plenty of my own yard. It's perfect for me, a good spot to raise a family some day. I've been an active council member since I was 18, been involved in the local volunteer fire department for 10+ years. It's just a part of who I am and where my roots are tied.
was born in WI liveD for a while in MI grew up and air force brat, lived in 12 states and two countries, have been in GA for 30 years.. Right now the wife and I are seriously considering a move two KY in the Lexington area...
I picked up and left.... lived in several different states and loved them all.... but I came back home, because it's home.
Actually yes taxes are nice. If you ever look to doing a double dip, or teaching post retirement and want to move south...Georgia is your answer. I could get a considerable pay increase to cross tel he state line, one day...
Im still young( graduating college this spring) but I knew I didn't want to stay in my hometown after High School. Im close with my family but they know I like to get out and do something different plus I can still visit that wouldn't be an issue. I moved 3 hours south and started school in hopes of becoming a firefighter. For awhile it was just jumping through the hoops of school but now that I'm almost done things seem to be falling into place. I recently tested for Indianapolis fire department and I got an email saying that I got an interview with them. A long with testing soon for my national EMT license. With that it allows me to be more mobile and possibly finding a job on a ambulance until I get on a fire department. Im not sure exactly where I want to be yet but moving away is perfectly fine by me.
I've always been a homer but I find myself leaning more and more toward moving away. I'll definitely know in the next couple of months after I go on some vacations outside of the east coast. The toughest part is always leaving your friends and family. But for me, a lot of my family is spread out anyway and I only have a few select friends I spend time with.
I went away to school for college and I have lived in many places since. So packing up and moving is always an option for me. My wife grew up near Fayetteville and I grew up in Upstate South Carolina. We both love the Northwest(Seattle and Vancouver WA). If I had known years ago, before we started dating, that she loved it as much as I did, I would have taken a job offered to me there. She tells me all the time that she has no problem picking up and leaving. I own my own business and I have a few options. Believe me when I say that when that opportunity arises, we are outta here!
I moved a whopping 20 miles away to go to college, but we found some land about 4 miles from where I grew up and built out house on it. I'll never sell it as it is home, but as I get older, I just hate the cold weather. I think we are tied down here until my daughter graduates high school at the least, but I could see us splitting time between here and somewhere in the southwest during the winters. My biggest complaint isn't even where I live, it's what I do. I work for a great company, make good money and have job security. It's everything most people are looking for, but I'm bored out of my mind with it. It has all the conveniences that make it difficult to even consider changing jobs though. It's the easiest possible commute from where I live, good benefits, good managers, good coworkers, but I'm just not challenged anymore and I'm in a job that doesn't have any real upward mobility unless I take some lateral moves first and most likely get an engineering degree(not happening).
You couldn't have described my job situation any more perfect (aside from the engineering degree part :D ).
Just got in the mood to swing by again... I'm selling a few youth bows on the forums this week and I've darn near forgot how to post pics and everything! Had to look up my Photobucket account password; it's been that long.
