In 1996 I packed up my two children, then 11 and 15, and left New York city.
We went to live on 112 acres in the woods,in a very tiny country town in Virginia.
Even though it was something I wanted to do... the trauma was tremendous. The challenges made life interesting. I had always read articles about people doing this very thing. My era was obsessed with the west. Colorado, Montana, Later
it was Arizona and New Mexico. We wanted the country life. Simpler things. For me
the move was a good thing. I lived in a place that was breathtakingly beautifu. Started a small business out of necessity, because there really werent any great employment opportunities. Made a few new friends.. very different than myself,learned so much from them. The effects on my two sons are a whole other story. My older son who is 24 now is still angry at me for taking him away from New York. But anyway, I think its an interesting topic. Because it has many angles to discuss. Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
Leaving the City
Leaving the City
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LottomagicZ4941
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Leaving the City
In a way I moved to the city with out moving. The small town I grew up in will be 38K soon. It would have been harder to leave if it had not already changed on me.
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MagicZ4941
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Leaving the City
Visiting Colorado back in 1974 was my first taste of how exciting leaving New York would be. It was so beautiful, it made me cry. It was the beginning of my discovering the United States. How diverse it was. How geographicaly varied.
I guess I was kind of a hippy type back then. Visited Crosby, Stills and Nashes ranch. John Denver had written Rocky Mountain High. People migrated to Colorado in droves. I remember the locals in Boulder were really annoyed. Jobs were being taken away. I understand that concept better now. Virginia has been on a marketing campaign for years, trying to increase tourism. Its working.
The people who have lived there forever, dont like the changes. I understand that also. My wandering spirit has prevented me from having a permenant home
of my own. I regret that. However, I couldnt imagine not having had the adventure of visiting all the places Ive been.
I guess I was kind of a hippy type back then. Visited Crosby, Stills and Nashes ranch. John Denver had written Rocky Mountain High. People migrated to Colorado in droves. I remember the locals in Boulder were really annoyed. Jobs were being taken away. I understand that concept better now. Virginia has been on a marketing campaign for years, trying to increase tourism. Its working.
The people who have lived there forever, dont like the changes. I understand that also. My wandering spirit has prevented me from having a permenant home
of my own. I regret that. However, I couldnt imagine not having had the adventure of visiting all the places Ive been.
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capt_buzzard
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Leaving the City
Oh for the country life. :guitarist
Leaving the City
capt_buzzard wrote: Oh for the country life. :guitarist
Hey Capt. Do you live the country life?
Hey Capt. Do you live the country life?
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Leaving the City
weeder wrote: In 1996 I packed up my two children, then 11 and 15, and left New York city.
We went to live on 112 acres in the woods,in a very tiny country town in Virginia.
Even though it was something I wanted to do... the trauma was tremendous. The challenges made life interesting. I had always read articles about people doing this very thing. My era was obsessed with the west. Colorado, Montana, Later
it was Arizona and New Mexico. We wanted the country life. Simpler things. For me
the move was a good thing. I lived in a place that was breathtakingly beautifu. Started a small business out of necessity, because there really werent any great employment opportunities. Made a few new friends.. very different than myself,learned so much from them. The effects on my two sons are a whole other story. My older son who is 24 now is still angry at me for taking him away from New York. But anyway, I think its an interesting topic. Because it has many angles to discuss. Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
It had to take a lot of courage for you to do what you did. Following one's heart is not always easy to do. So, many of us just do not do it. You should be proud of yourself, it sounds as if you did well for yourself & your family. As far as your angry son, your getting him out of NYC probably increased his chances of him actually staying alive and getting to grow up for him to be mad at you. Continued Good luck!
Cars
We went to live on 112 acres in the woods,in a very tiny country town in Virginia.
Even though it was something I wanted to do... the trauma was tremendous. The challenges made life interesting. I had always read articles about people doing this very thing. My era was obsessed with the west. Colorado, Montana, Later
it was Arizona and New Mexico. We wanted the country life. Simpler things. For me
the move was a good thing. I lived in a place that was breathtakingly beautifu. Started a small business out of necessity, because there really werent any great employment opportunities. Made a few new friends.. very different than myself,learned so much from them. The effects on my two sons are a whole other story. My older son who is 24 now is still angry at me for taking him away from New York. But anyway, I think its an interesting topic. Because it has many angles to discuss. Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
It had to take a lot of courage for you to do what you did. Following one's heart is not always easy to do. So, many of us just do not do it. You should be proud of yourself, it sounds as if you did well for yourself & your family. As far as your angry son, your getting him out of NYC probably increased his chances of him actually staying alive and getting to grow up for him to be mad at you. Continued Good luck!
Cars
Cars
Leaving the City
cars wrote: It had to take a lot of courage for you to do what you did. Following one's heart is not always easy to do. So, many of us just do not do it. You should be proud of yourself, it sounds as if you did well for yourself & your family. As far as your angry son, your getting him out of NYC probably increased his chances of him actually staying alive and getting to grow up for him to be mad at you. Continued Good luck!
CarsThe alive part is exactly correct. He also was afforded th opportunity to attend The University of Virginia. Something I as a single mom never would have been able to offer him in New York. In state tuition in Va is 1/3 the cost of
schools in NY. I am hoping that as he matures and raises his own family his understanding will grow. The thing that makes me laugh is that they both married lovely soft spoken southern girls. Another opportunity offered that Im certain he will appreciate someday.
CarsThe alive part is exactly correct. He also was afforded th opportunity to attend The University of Virginia. Something I as a single mom never would have been able to offer him in New York. In state tuition in Va is 1/3 the cost of
schools in NY. I am hoping that as he matures and raises his own family his understanding will grow. The thing that makes me laugh is that they both married lovely soft spoken southern girls. Another opportunity offered that Im certain he will appreciate someday.
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Leaving the City
weeder wrote: The alive part is exactly correct. He also was afforded th opportunity to attend The University of Virginia. Something I as a single mom never would have been able to offer him in New York. In state tuition in Va is 1/3 the cost of
schools in NY. I am hoping that as he matures and raises his own family his understanding will grow. The thing that makes me laugh is that they both married lovely soft spoken southern girls. Another opportunity offered that Im certain he will appreciate someday.
Congrats! Your plan worked!
When did you move from Virginia? Are you still in the country in Georgia?
schools in NY. I am hoping that as he matures and raises his own family his understanding will grow. The thing that makes me laugh is that they both married lovely soft spoken southern girls. Another opportunity offered that Im certain he will appreciate someday.
Congrats! Your plan worked!
When did you move from Virginia? Are you still in the country in Georgia?
Please use the "contact us" button if you need to contact a ForumGarden admin.
Leaving the City
Tombstone wrote: Congrats! Your plan worked!
When did you move from Virginia? Are you still in the country in Georgia?
I left Virginia one year ago. Didnt plan on it being permanent. I was invited to spend the winter on St. Simons Island.... Bought a business here. I am in a coastal community now. Not really country. I miss Virginia everyday. I go back quite often to visit. Just got back last Thursday. Both my sons, Mom. Dad. and two grandchildren are there. Another calculated move, even though it hurt me to leave. I left because single mothers need to put some distance between themselves and their sons. We need to give them room to seperate from us, become men... and form a bond with their wives without mama in the way. Hopefully I will go back there someday to retire.
When did you move from Virginia? Are you still in the country in Georgia?
I left Virginia one year ago. Didnt plan on it being permanent. I was invited to spend the winter on St. Simons Island.... Bought a business here. I am in a coastal community now. Not really country. I miss Virginia everyday. I go back quite often to visit. Just got back last Thursday. Both my sons, Mom. Dad. and two grandchildren are there. Another calculated move, even though it hurt me to leave. I left because single mothers need to put some distance between themselves and their sons. We need to give them room to seperate from us, become men... and form a bond with their wives without mama in the way. Hopefully I will go back there someday to retire.
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Wednesday's Child
- Posts: 111
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Leaving the City
Weeder - you ask:
Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
Almost nineteen years ago I moved from my family hometown of Vancouver in B.C. Canada to a tiny town in California - San Luis Obispo. There didn't seem to be much difference except SLO was smaller than Vancouver. As with most college towns the people were very friendly and used to international visitors - even if they "stay". I am farther south down the coast now but still enjoy being in California.
It was a huge change for me as I was within a close-knit family, but I wanted to go to University and it was much less expensive than in Canada at the time.
It worked out after being terribly homesick for a year, and then I liked it enough to settle down and stay.
California is like living in a global community without travel expenses. I have never had the opportunity before to meet so many people from other lands.
Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
Almost nineteen years ago I moved from my family hometown of Vancouver in B.C. Canada to a tiny town in California - San Luis Obispo. There didn't seem to be much difference except SLO was smaller than Vancouver. As with most college towns the people were very friendly and used to international visitors - even if they "stay". I am farther south down the coast now but still enjoy being in California.
It was a huge change for me as I was within a close-knit family, but I wanted to go to University and it was much less expensive than in Canada at the time.
It worked out after being terribly homesick for a year, and then I liked it enough to settle down and stay.
California is like living in a global community without travel expenses. I have never had the opportunity before to meet so many people from other lands.
Leaving the City
I believe I could live about any where and adapt. I believe you have a choice to be miserable or happy. I choose to be happy. Life is about changes. Not just moving, but marriages, divorces, births, and deaths bring about changes. I think actually making the move had to take a lot of courage. Your son should be proud that you followed your heart and found the courage to do it.
Leaving the City
We packed out kids and all our 'stuff' and left northern Idaho for Alaska almost 35 years ago. No job, no real destination, just a new teaching certificate and the promise of a commercial fishing site IF we got to Alaska. That first year was a real education, but we made it, and every succeeding year afterward brought some new understanding of ourselves and our new life.
Of course moving from Idaho to Alaska was not a big cultural change like moving from a city to the country, but it was pretty different.
Wouldn't change it for the world now, but there were times in those first few years that I'd have gone home in a minute. Of course the kids love it. They're still here and so are the grandkids, so I guess I'm stuck. :-6
Of course moving from Idaho to Alaska was not a big cultural change like moving from a city to the country, but it was pretty different.
Wouldn't change it for the world now, but there were times in those first few years that I'd have gone home in a minute. Of course the kids love it. They're still here and so are the grandkids, so I guess I'm stuck. :-6
Leaving the City
Wednesday's Child wrote: Weeder - you ask:
Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
Almost nineteen years ago I moved from my family hometown of Vancouver in B.C. Canada to a tiny town in California - San Luis Obispo. There didn't seem to be much difference except SLO was smaller than Vancouver. As with most college towns the people were very friendly and used to international visitors - even if they "stay". I am farther south down the coast now but still enjoy being in California.
It was a huge change for me as I was within a close-knit family, but I wanted to go to University and it was much less expensive than in Canada at the time.
It worked out after being terribly homesick for a year, and then I liked it enough to settle down and stay.
California is like living in a global community without travel expenses. I have never had the opportunity before to meet so many people from other lands.I know of your town. The one where the birds come. It is supposed to be beautiful. And yes ,one of the thrilling aspects of re locating is meeting people
from everywhere. Also it makes people in your family travel, to visit. They get to experience new places also. I was the first one in my family to move away. They couldnt believe I was doing it. They have actually all relocated now also.
Have any of you ever made a major life change or move?
Almost nineteen years ago I moved from my family hometown of Vancouver in B.C. Canada to a tiny town in California - San Luis Obispo. There didn't seem to be much difference except SLO was smaller than Vancouver. As with most college towns the people were very friendly and used to international visitors - even if they "stay". I am farther south down the coast now but still enjoy being in California.
It was a huge change for me as I was within a close-knit family, but I wanted to go to University and it was much less expensive than in Canada at the time.
It worked out after being terribly homesick for a year, and then I liked it enough to settle down and stay.
California is like living in a global community without travel expenses. I have never had the opportunity before to meet so many people from other lands.I know of your town. The one where the birds come. It is supposed to be beautiful. And yes ,one of the thrilling aspects of re locating is meeting people
from everywhere. Also it makes people in your family travel, to visit. They get to experience new places also. I was the first one in my family to move away. They couldnt believe I was doing it. They have actually all relocated now also.
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Leaving the City
libertine wrote: We packed out kids and all our 'stuff' and left northern Idaho for Alaska almost 35 years ago. No job, no real destination, just a new teaching certificate and the promise of a commercial fishing site IF we got to Alaska. That first year was a real education, but we made it, and every succeeding year afterward brought some new understanding of ourselves and our new life.
Of course moving from Idaho to Alaska was not a big cultural change like moving from a city to the country, but it was pretty different.
Wouldn't change it for the world now, but there were times in those first few years that I'd have gone home in a minute. Of course the kids love it. They're still here and so are the grandkids, so I guess I'm stuck. :-6
Alaska...Now thats quite an adventure. INitially adapting is difficult as you know.
The thrill of discovering a new place, and meeting people who are different from ourselves promotes growth. I believe it makes us more fearless and open minded.
Its a great example for our children. Lifes obstacles become simply something to overcome. I was the first one in my family to move. They couldnt believe I was doing it. It ultimately broadened their world also because they were forced to travel, to visit me. There is a good movie I loved about Alaska called Leaving Normal. I didnt realize Alaska had a warm place until I saw the film.
Of course moving from Idaho to Alaska was not a big cultural change like moving from a city to the country, but it was pretty different.
Wouldn't change it for the world now, but there were times in those first few years that I'd have gone home in a minute. Of course the kids love it. They're still here and so are the grandkids, so I guess I'm stuck. :-6
Alaska...Now thats quite an adventure. INitially adapting is difficult as you know.
The thrill of discovering a new place, and meeting people who are different from ourselves promotes growth. I believe it makes us more fearless and open minded.
Its a great example for our children. Lifes obstacles become simply something to overcome. I was the first one in my family to move. They couldnt believe I was doing it. It ultimately broadened their world also because they were forced to travel, to visit me. There is a good movie I loved about Alaska called Leaving Normal. I didnt realize Alaska had a warm place until I saw the film.
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Leaving the City
I didn't see "Leaving Normal" but remember it as a female buddy picture. I think it was shot in Canada for the most part
BUT, Alaska does have some verywarm areas, at least in the summer. Those same places are the coldest in the winter. However, right now the whole state is experiencing a melt down. Really crappy weather for WINTER. We have rain, after several days of snow, so you know what the roads are like...up north it is still snowing but getting warmer, so it may rain!! What a winter :-1
BUT, Alaska does have some verywarm areas, at least in the summer. Those same places are the coldest in the winter. However, right now the whole state is experiencing a melt down. Really crappy weather for WINTER. We have rain, after several days of snow, so you know what the roads are like...up north it is still snowing but getting warmer, so it may rain!! What a winter :-1