I'm always curious about how people ended up where they live.
I haven't moved quite as many times as you have, Dewey - it's about 20 times and four states. However, I lived 30 years in the same home, raising my kids, much of the time on my own (not by choice - I didn't sign on to be a single mother, but you play the cards you're dealt). I'm glad I fought tooth and nail to stay there because I thought it was the one thing that would bring some stability and security to the lives of my kids after the divorce.
I've lived most of my life in major metro suburbs. However, that 30-year home was in an area that felt like a small town for about 20 of those years, complete with a Main Street that had businesses that were decades old. However, the new suburbs sprouted around it - the corn field a block away became a housing development and the charm was lost for me.
Nine years ago, I was laid off from my job of 24 years (job went to India) and with my kids grown and flown, five years ago I decided to make a change and move. I was tired of traffic so bad you had to look at your watch and decide if your errand was worth the time it would take to get there.
That was it. I sold my house and moved to a smaller city about an hour away. I got lucky and found a small house that fit my needs as a single person, in an older neighborhood. I love my house, the neighborhood is great, and I was able to pay cash - not having a mortgage was important to me. I have neighbors next door that are like siblings to me. There's a beautiful park 3 blocks away that has free outdoor music concerts every Wednesday during the entire summer. I love the fact that I can go to anywhere any time of day and traffic is not a problem. Places are not crowded like they are in the big city - getting your license renewed takes just a few minutes. It has been an adjustment, but I'm very thankful it has worked out so well. This is my forever home. I know it's not for everyone, but I love it.
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godewey (16472)
7 years ago
I was just saying I think most people can adapt to wherever they live.
We've talked before about where we've lived.
You made decisions that you had to make for the betterment of your family.
Also sounds like you were ready for a change.
It's never easy to change or leave someplace you're accustom to.
It does sound like for you it worked out very nicely.
Hopefully you're done though.
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GlenEllyn (21660)
7 years ago
I didn't really have a plan, but all of a sudden I realized there was nothing really keeping me in the city - no job, kids gone, and I hated the crowds and traffic, so why not? The weird thing is, I never had a "what have I done?" moment. I really thought I might miss the house and neighborhood after living there for 30 years, but I never have. I got really lucky and I know it. 🙂
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