Making the move

Okay all you movers out there...I have a question for you! My hubby and I are looking to move out of state. We both were born and raised here. Both of our families are here. However, we are not "big" family folks, we are all pretty much to ourselves.(i am close to my mom though) I am going to be 40 soon and I feel the need to move on and so does my hubby. We want a place even more in the country than we are now. We feel that the time is now. SO.....lets hear it from you movers...have you done it? Left your hometown and went into another state and started over? I am not talking about transfers with jobs. I am talking about just starting over completely, taking the risk...coax me into it...life is short!

Don't know your situation,everyone's is different'

After deciding the "necessities to take"
sold everything else.


Yes,don't regret it either'We planned carefully as for locations for schools,traveling $,emergencies'

You don't need coaxing,if it's what you both want,
"just do it" Sis'

Lisa,
Erin and I will make the move next August. Wanna come to VA?

thank yous sis! My situation is really ..well...none..! It is just a tug at us to get back to the basics in life and a better way of life for my little girl. We both feel that Louisiana has very little to offer her. Our school system is poor and so is our state. The latest survey puts Louisiana last in the nation on the line of poverty. Every survey that is put out, Louisiana is always at the tail end. Just so many reasons. THank you sis, for your reply. We are praying that we make the right choice. Lisa

thank you tim. Why are you leaving Fla.? (if i may ask?)

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Ohio is a big old nice state, Lisa! There are hills down south and flat spaces up north. We're kinda in-between with the best of both worlds. We'd be glad to give you the skinny on anything Ohio-wise you'd like to know! ;o) Kimberley

Lisa that's where we were too' We had finally
attained our dream home,but the schools were
going downhill'Being a native prune picker
and seeing how everything became so fast and
driving farther to work each day,just to live,
we decided to get back to the simple life'
Good luck,it can become the greatest adventure
of your lives'Dad and I had a saying"when we get
old and are sitting on the porch,we'll remember
what we did together,not What If?"

Lisa, when I was 9, my parents moved us 500 miles away from grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. They felt they needed to try something different. It was hard to leave family (we were very close), but it turned out fine. They sold a farm and a gob of possessions, keeping only furniture, dishes, clothing and a few treasured mementos.

At 19, I got married and moved 1300 miles away from my parents to live in Knoxville with my husband while he finished school. Hard to leave? Yes, but we absolutely loved Knoxville.

Three years later, we packed up our possessions and moved 650 miles West (smack dab between my parents and his, LOL!) for him to take a job that allowed me to stay at home with our son, and then go back to school. Life turns out funny sometimes, because I ended up working for almost 10 years after I finished school.

Fifteen years later, we sold our home in Oklahoma, packed our stuff and headed back to TN, to be closer to his family, as his parents' health is failing. It also means we're geographically close to one set of parents, and don't have to toss a coin to see which direction to travel for holidays and vacations, which is a lot less stressful.

Each move has been hard in some ways, easy in others. All have turned out for the best, because I'm once again a stay-at-home mom (teenagers REALLY need a parent at home if possible!), and our lives are much simpler and less stressful than when we were both working.

Robert Frost probably said it best (this is one of my favorite poems, so bear with me)

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long as I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Best wishes on your decision. (((())))

Lisa, both my husband and myself were both born and raised in Iowa but moved to Oklahoma and lived there for 11 years and now ended up in Texas with no regrets. Always nice to make a fresh start and to meet new friends. Have now lived in Texas right around 12 years or more and really enjoy it here.We do have some wonderful schools here as well. There are always pros and cons to every situation so make yourself a list and see what out weighs the other.Us moving was the best thing for us to do. Good luck in your decision no matter what you decide. You sure would get a Big Texas welcome here if you decide on this state.

Lisa, listen to God, and follow your heart.

"eyes:

Thanks Trish,one of my favorite poems'

Hey....It just occurred to me how unfair it is for this gal to post this question here. We'd all would like Lisa to live in our own state - our own town, even!

Hay Lisa my pal, how's about a complete change of senery, and come over to little old Britain? Ok, the weathers not too good.....ok, if i'm honest, it's appauling. But hay, you'd have me and Alan to plant swap with. What more could a girl want for? What ya say?????

Need a bit more coaxing?
The schools are good, if you pick the right one of course!
Medical treatment is free, as long as you don't mind waiting a week on a trolly in casualty, bleeding to death!
No Hurricanes or tornaidos over here....just a teency bit of rain. Hay were all gardeners, don't we just love the rain?

So girl, when you moving over here then?

Lisa,

Tim and I are leaving Florida because we both want to have nature and land around us - not the suburbia that we live in! There are many beautiful areas of Florida, but it's just not for us right now. We also crave the change of seasons. FL has limited seasonal change.

I figure...why not move? You only live life once! A good friend of mine used to say "If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you always got!" I know that's on old cliche, but it works for me! If you crave something different, then go for it! What do you have to gain/lose by moving? What do you have to gain/lose by staying?

Erin

wow! you guys are all so nice! Thanks all of you for your thoughts...LOL@gardenwife and daisy!!! Daisy, I would sure look funny crossing that big ole' pond with all these critters! I would have to hire a jet just for the critters ..*giggle*.. Some real good thought pondering words above. Erin, I really like :"If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you always got!" and also :What do you have to gain/lose by moving? What do you have to gain/lose by staying?<<

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Lisa I mailed you before I came on DG this evening and found your post! I cannot add to the comments here, they are all so true. I will say this though in favour of my neck of the woods, there is plenty of work and the schools are wonderful. The city is historic, the surrounding mountains and rolling countryside is beautiful and the people are friendly. Inexpensive land and houses can still be found in the counties around Charlottesville. The hospitals have earned top marks in the US and a new hospital is being built very shortly. So...... when are you moving up here???....lolol!!

I say if it is what you both want to do go for it. Just make some good plans and make sure you pick some place you want to stay. Get some info from chamber of commerce about the towns you are thinking about. I would love to go to Arizona but don't want to leave my Mom.

Good Luck

My advice is to the gardener in you. Moving from warm, wet Louisanna to either a colder or dryer climate could be a major shock. I moved from East Texas to Central Texas three years ago and I still haven't gotten over the difference 225 miles can make! The soil is different and it is so much dryer! I know we can grow some beautiful things here, but it takes a lot more work. Be sure to research the growing climate before making the decision where to move.

Transplant shock??? How about from England and nice, loamy soil to America and red clay. Hey Lisa my friend, if I can do it, then so can you. I just got the spare room ready for you :-)

Well Lisa I am not a move expert lived in 4 homes all my life and all here in the same county... But you have to do what's best for YOUR family and follow your heart.But you know you might need to come to Ky.... we don't talk cajun but sure talk hillbilly..... you would fit right in. lol Seriously its a beautiful state besides I would like to meet the cajun queen.... lol It sounds like you have done some soul searching on this and I hope it works out with whatever you decide if I can help let me know.Any move is hard so its a big step just think it out and do what feels right for you and your family.

Fear is a fulfilled lifes biggest enemy..fight it. Do what you have to do to feel safe (money in savings, jobs to go to, close to family or friends)...what ever that is then step to the edge of the cliff, close your eyes, jump and start flapping...I bet you soar!

My wife left minn for alaska in 1989, we met got married, and 5 years ago left alaska for vancouver island bc. no jobs no money two cats one dog and 3000 dollars to canadian govt. so my wife could work (i,m canadian)we are buying a home both have good jobs and a 2yr old in the middle of it all. So yes Lisa keep your faith and go for it. I was 41 when we left alaska.
jack

Lisa... If I remember, your husband is a landscaper? We all know you love gardening, and IF he loves what he does as well, I'd look for a climate/terrain/etc. that suits you. Then, I'd check for financial oppurtunities while I checked out all the other things that are important to you, and see which locales mesh best. Then, I'd still research some more!

I left suburban (but waterfront) Maryland 25 years ago, with only a dream and some cash. Bought 21 acres in the mountains of NC (not where I am now, LOL) and loved it. However, I failed to see if the economy would afford me a chance to make a living when my money ran out. It didn't. The lesson was only a bit painful because I learned some resiliancy during the time I was there, and subsequent moves to the unknown have always worked out.

I'd say, "Go for it!"

Lisa -

I have to interject once again. I admire you guys SO much. Howard and I see people on shows like HGTV's "The Good Life" and find ourselves envious of those who take the plunge and try something different in following their hearts. It's like the old saying: When you get to the end of your life, you won't regret the things you did so much as the things you missed for fear of trying.

I also think of the Apostle Peter, who many pooh-pooh because he started sinking into the water (Peter, why did you doubt?). But he was the only one with the faith to get out of the boat in the first place! The others just sat tight and watched from a comfortable distance while he followed his heart!

Go for it!
:o) Kimberley

Lisa, go with 'eyes' suggestion......follow your heart and say a prayer to the Good Lord up above and let Him guide you.

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For the past 2 years we have visited upstate new york..in october. i fell in love with it. i had that peaceful feeling of "this is where i belong"
dh is from there. he retired from the navy last year and we had such a debate of where to go versus staying here. they wouldve moved us anywhere.
we got caught up in the house, kids, family..couldnt justify a job because im a waitress and he was retired and newly unemployed, lol.
looking back i wish we wouldve said "[profanity removed] the torpedos, full speed ahead" and taken the plunge. i wanted to move, he didnt. both of you have to want it.
i've moved all my life. born in nebraska, california, nebraska, california, mississippi, germany, north carolina, south carolina and then back to mississippi. where is home???
im rambling, but if its in your heart do it. grap your map, close your eyes, and point your finger. reseach the area that your finger willed you to, if you dont like the choice (you wouldnt be making to much of a change if you landed on ms, lol) close eyes and do again.
jen

This thread is so incredible! thank you all so much for the support. It means more than I can say. Darius, yes, my hubby is a landscaper. Here we can landscape year 'round. It is a landscaper's dream, our town is booming and we are showing a profit. But there is something more than money that is calling us. My husband's sense of "going for it" is so impressive. It makes me love him that much more! He knows he can make anything happen if we work hard enough. I stand behind him.
Yes, I give it to God everyday. I know we will make the right choice. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. No matter where we go in life, I will always have my computer..lol..and my friends here at Davesgarden. Yes, you all, each one of you, will always be my neighbor and that is the beauty of it! I can take each one of you with me on this adventure. Hugs to all who took the time to post(and those who thought about it!) Lisa

Miss Lisa,
Michigan's the place you ought to be-snow n heat!
Good people no gators lots of fun we could have!!!
bring your family and come on up!!(even for a visit)
check us out -sit a spell kick your shoes off! ;]
just let me know when ya'll decide to come!
your sis,
dori

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Wow Lisa - to be in your shoes and have the option to start over..... I have a friend here who is also from Louisiana (alexandria), and she moved her family out of there about 8 years ago, she goes back once a year for vacation, and when she comes back she tells me, it was the best thing she could have done for her family. She is very happy here, she likes the schools, the weather, the low crime, and I just heard yesterday on the news that Portland ranked very high on a list of child-friendly cities, meaning we have a lot of resources for children.
(Vancouver Washington is considered a suburb of Portland, oregon)

However, the growing season is short, it rains a lot, like right now, and the temps have dipped in the 50's....
This is the one thing that we dont like about this area, the weather. In fact, when we are stuck inside with an inch of rain on the ground, the skies gray, we often talk about moving to a warmer climate, but we always end up nixing the idea because of the opportunities here for our children..

What you are doing takes courage and determination, and It looks like you are thinking this through and will end up making the right decision.

Good luck

Hey, did you know that Texas has only 2 Seasons......Summer and Fall

I think ya'll already are sure what you want to do...now just do it! You've got a lot of good guidance, good sense, and good qualities! I left home at 16 and traveled here and there, lived here and there, settled for a bit, then gave it all up and started all over again. Yep, got rid of nearly everything I owned to make a new start. (well, actually, I kept my Dog, my blue jeans, and my guitar...over the following yrs my Dog up and died, my blue jeans wore slap out, and the strings on my guitar got so rusty I was afraid to play it without getting a tetnus shot first!) Anyway, life continued and I've never regretted the moves. I think you need to site thru the mule's ears (how we used to plow), holler "yee-haww!" and make a bee-line to a piece of land that makes your hearts smile, your voices sing right out loud, and has good friends nearby! God Bless.

Where ever you go and whatever you do you will not need to leave your friends behind so long as you take the computer and DG with you! Go for it and enjoy life. DH and I are considering doing the same thing in a few years. But we will stay put while my folks are still here with us.

Lisa, don't worry about the transportation over here for the "critters", hubby can sort out a private jet for them. I can assure you they would travel First Class, nothing but the best? (by the way, are we talking plants or creatures here?!!) Hay, how's about a Shanook helicopter?

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I thought there was a link on this thread that took you to a place where you could fill out a questionaire and it matches you to the perfect spot for you. I was telling a friend about it, - she wants to take the test, and now I cant find it......
By the way, according to this survey, the top places for me to live were: (OF ALL PLACES: Alexandria Louisiana....
melbourne florida, and baton rouge LA
Isnt that funny? not too many people even know of the existence of Alexandria (other than people in Louisiana..) but I used to buy lumber from a mill whose offices were in Alexandria, so have been there several times, and this friend I have who is from Alexandria) and this questionaire picks this funny little city as my ideas place to live.
I thought it was interesting

sure would appreciate if someone rememebrs where I saw that hyperlink... thanks

Lisa, did you make a decision on the move? can we expect you in the great pacific northwest???


cheers

pebble, here is the link you are looking for:.html funny about the Louisiana thing...lol...Louisiana didn't even place in my top 20!!! sorry about all the edits, i couldn't get my mouse to work...lol

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Lisa, thank you!!!

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http://davesgarden.com/showthread/82262.html okay, i think i have it now...geeeez!!!!