Agree, this year has helped...I had an opportunity to change subjects and jumped all over it. It has helped, some.
I admit, that I am still in Illinois because of my dad having his stroke. To this point, it has been a no brainer to stick around and help out when I can. Had it not been for that I would have fled west already. With recently going back to school, and scheduled to finish in December, the possibility of having to move for work is very real. If the money is right, I will probably end up having to pull up my stakes and go. Montana or Colorado would probably be my #1 choice if I could pick.
I've put a lot of thought into this over the past year and a half and still have a lot of mixed feelings on it. Personally I'd love to permanently stay outside of the Northeast. I grew up moving all over the northeast.....lived in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and PA. Then I moved to Upstate New York when I was in my mid 20's and spent another 10 years there. As most of you know I'm now in Northern IL and have been for a little over a year. While IL isn't perfect and there are lots of people that complain about it, I really like it here compared to the Northeast. I do love the Adirondacks and I certainly miss my family, but there isn't anything else I like about it. Financially speaking there really aren't a lot of great career options for my line of work in the Northeast unless I'm actually in NYC or Boston and that just isn't an option. I'm fortunate that I have a job I love and make a good living at, but it's not something I can live just anywhere and be financially stable. In the Chicagoland area, if I lost my job tomorrow I could find something comparable in a matter of weeks. Back home I'd be looking at a substantial pay cut and likely a career change unless I was willing to be within commuting distance of NYC or Boston. With all that said, my wife misses family a ton. She gets to go home a lot, but I know long term she will want to move back. I'm doing everything I can now to hopefully put us in a spot where I can maybe own a small business or afford to work a job with less income yet still be comfortable. I know I'll miss the Midwest though when that day comes.
Been doing awesome Brad... Never thought raising two boys would be so much fun... but it helps tremendously that they're ate up with all things outdoors. Been keeping me plenty busy. Got both of them a couple really nice bows for Christmas and my oldest has set a goal to be able to take a turkey with it by the end of the season... (He's 11 now). He's coming along nicely but this foot of snow we got two days ago is hampering our efforts just a bit.
My wife and I are both from rural, agricultural areas. Very poor economy, no jobs, etc. Mostly country boys and rednecks to be honest. But our families were there, etc... We moved 5 hours away to a much better area, great schools, great people, etc. We did it mostly for the kids, so they could grow up in a desirable location, vs one that people flee from. You only live once and you can only live YOUR life. If you want to move, by all means move! With that said..... If I wasn't self-employed, I would move out west immediately. But at almost 40, I'm not starting over in my career. I will just have to visit a few times a year!
I've moved more times than I care to admit. Twenty plus years in the US Navy. I'd move again if I could convince the wife. Most of the kids are around here. I want to go to the mountains of WV or some other place like that. My dad's side is from up there. Anyway looks like I'm in a holding pattern until the wife decides something....
We've been watching turkey-hunting shows almost nightly... I also just ordered a four-DVD combo set that's got pretty good reviews that should be in soon too.
Changed the avi.... been logged on a lot today...... sure would be refreshing Greg to see you post more often. Not to hi-jak your thread Tony lol
Yes Tony. They are all in the Adirondacks on Sacandaga Lake. My Mom is in western VT, my dad is in NE PA, and my sister is in the Adirondacks too. I miss my family but can deal with it, but my wife is much closer to her family and it bothers both of us that our son can't see his grandparents more often.
Man, if and when I get out of this God forsaken state, I can't imagine coming back.....but if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, I guess...
I escaped the People's Republic of Minnneeessotah in 1989 when I enlisted into the USAF. Was it hard, no not really since the options were bleak, I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was tired of school and knew that either going to the area Vo-Tech (2 Year college) or to a regular 4 year college would be a waste of money and I damn sure was not going to hang around my small town and work a dead end job. I got to spend 20 years on Uncle Sam's dime traveling around the world which set me up for my current gig as a Vet Services Officer. Oly
