QUESTION FOR THE MASSES

Hopefully we are out of this snow and cold soon. I for one have had enough and I know most on here share my sentiment.

This got me to thinking.....I have watched all the posts all winter from members here on the forum and mostly everyone is complaining about the winter drudgery. Compared to most I am having a relatively mild winter, but I still don't like it....soooooooo…….

What keeps us where we are? Why do we spend most of our lives in one location or close to where we were raised? I have always wondered what it would be like to move to another location in our great land but for some reason just stayed here, got married, had kids, bought a farm. I have traveled to most of the states in the country but always ended up back here.

I know one of the reasons I always liked this area is because of the distinction of the four seasons. We get it all here in the Ohio Valley. I travelled through the Ozarks one summer and I fell in love with that region, yet never moved there. I thought of moving to Florida but it is too DARN hot in the summer.

I have gathered from some of the posts here that you have actually pulled up stakes at some point and moved to a completely different area, I admire that. I would love to move to where Rope is located but I'm not sure my body could handle the environment. Thirty years at a desk took it's toll.

I have not completely reached my midlife crisis yet and have thought of making changes. After travelling with my 79 year old father this winter I realized I might have only 30 years left before I get to the "getting off" (Fried Green Tomatoes 1991) place. He even told me recently to go and do the things I want to do because at his age he just can't get around well enough (or drive) to enjoy many locations. I have entertained selling the whole kit and caboodle and taking a 20 year tour of the states.

I am wanting to hear your stories of where you are and why you are there.

job
family​

car broke down there
father in law threatened you
Aunt Bunny has all the money

thanks
B

 

Great thread! Simply stated family!

I am surrounded by so much of my family. My aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, friends, etc... My wifes sisters, brothers, cousins, etc....We are such a close knit group! We spend lots of time together if its for a sporting event, holiday, just a get together, BBQ, swim at the pool, we also vacation sometimes together as well. I would be crushed to be so far away from them, I commend folks who do it, sometimes they have no choice. I want my little ones to grow up around their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Digging a little deeper and past few years I realize that I love the four seasons. I would never want too much of one thing. Each season usually brings just enough for me to enjoy it. Admittedly I would like a little more of a winter, maybe a little bit more snow once in awhile but nothing like up North.

I do admire folks who have picked up and moved someplace far away. That takes big ones and I commend them for doing it. I'd be happy in the general area I am but maybe a little more west out in PA someplace with a little bit of land, peace and privacy O and lower taxes than NJ

 

Family and formerly business ties.

The wild temp swings seem to have dissipated and we are finally locked into the more usual Winter norm temps for this time of year. Still hoping Spring comes early this year even though more often than not we go from Winter to Summer.

 

In 1982, tired of the rat race and seeing how the crappy life style was only going to deteriorate more in New Jersey, we packed everything up and moved north 500 miles into rural Ontario Canada after purchasing a recreational business on a lake. The original plan was to stay 10 years or so and then migrate south back into rural Pennsylvania. Now, 37 years later I fully intend to have my ashes spread here in the bush. I could write pages as to the why, how and assorted other how comes that put us here with a 99.8% satisfaction level.

 

Where have I lived...
Grew up in Vermont.. Couldn't wait too leave.. Started college in Charlottesville VA. (UVA) My dad a year later, was in a serious accident still had 4 younger brothers at home. Went home worked a year to help financially and night classes.
Opinion blue ridge mountains are sweet..

Did a 9 month financial internship in Manhattan.. If you want to live in NYC more power to you. Not for me..

Once family was set did 2 years finishing college degree international finance..
Australia Mostly Melbourne, 1 year beautiful, beaches, beer and etc.

New Zealand amazing (most lord of rings filmed there) but limited money opportunity.

Hawaii 5 months. Gorgeous weather but more of vacation spot, it is not that big.. All should visit Pearl Harbor though.

Came home to graduate see family. Got a job and side business consulting. Spent time between Redding CA and Portland OR.

Had to come home raise nephews 18 and 36 months.
So Bought my home 18 miles from parents and 15 years later still there. ain't it..

 

Not at all!!! You have travelled! I really admire that. Awesome how you helped family along the way.

 

Brandon Scott those are places I've lived. I need passports to get all countries. Nepal, S.Korea, Indonesia, PNG, plus most western Europe, only state I haven't been too is Alaska. But Alaska is bigger than most western Europe.

I think a lot of the why Dosent America do this like England, Germany or whoever, most do not realize size differences. A lot of my European friends speak multiple languages. But if I hoped in a car and drove down to Kentucky maybe 900 miles. In Europe you could drive through 6 or 7 countries in that distance.

 

No matter what replies I get everyone has “lived life”. It’s really interesting how the smallest occurrences shape the outcome.

 

Every time I think of moving somewhere else, even if it is just a seasonal move, I consider just where it is I'm moving to and then decide it'll be easier to put up with Mother Nature vs. increased crime/traffic/congestion/population.

 

From birth thru HS graduation I lived in 4 places, attended 3 grade school and 2 high schools. Tried college for a few years then the army. Got married and moved back to the general area I grew up in. As other have said, I like having 4 seasons. It gives me something different to complain about every 3 months

 

Born in rural Arkansas on a small farm, Dad died when I was 5 & Mom when I was 7. Came to Michigan to live with an aunt & uncle because this is where my family is from. They're now my parents & well into their 80's. Been around a bit, but home is where family is, & we're pretty tight knit. Got kids & grandkids all within 10 minutes drive, so here I am. Cold & snow I don't mind/like, but the gray dreary weather here gets to me sometimes. Damp & clouds for weeks on end would be my reason to move. I like the Alaska idea, but don't wanna miss out on the family stuff.

 

We grew up in this area and found jobs and raised our family here. With Mom still here, we will spend our retirement here. We have the house we want and to move down to a better climate would be more than the equity in our property. I like having two seasons - rain or not rain and this winter has been nice with clear cold weather to give us a taste of winter.

 

come on over, i know a nice place on the east side of the mountains...

 

At this point that is one of the biggest hangs up I have. That and leaving my aging folks who really need a lot of care these days. I blew my chance few years back when we moved and I kick myself just about every day for it! I don't have many regrets in life but that is definitely one of them.

Thanks TurboDiesel, Perhaps one day when Mom and Dad are with the Good Lord and the kids are well on their way to college. My wife and I often talk about it!

 

simply put- career, if could make the same money living in canada or alaska I'd do it. that way I could burn wood and ride snowmobiles more often.

 

I’m retired in Connecticut - one of the worst states to retire to, financially. I had a good career here and at least live in one of the most rural towns which is beautiful, in my opinion, but family and friends are keeping us here for now. I’d love to live in a simple camp on the shore of a big, wild lake, but , like they say, if you want to hear God laugh, just tell him your plans.

 

Not much to be gained by being the richest guy buried in the cemetery...........................