Coming back to California after much thought... (Orange, San Joaquin: 2009, house)

[cabolissa]

Well, after only 6 months in Austin, I'm coming back to California...
Don't worry, it's not one of those bashing threads (course I'll likely hear some "I told you so's").

There's nothing wrong with Austin. I loved our home and wonderful neighborhood. We moved purely for economic reasons. We couldn't afford a house with a yard in Orange County.

10 days after we moved our family of 4 to TX, my father lost his battle with cancer. Shortly thereafter, I learned that my husband was in a 3 year affair, and he moved back to CA a month later. So I've been raising our kids by myself in a state with no family or friends. To boot, my job here sucks and I miss my old one. As a single working mom, I have to LOVE my job to keep my sanity!

So, we're moving back. To beautiful California. I've left California before to live in different places equally as beautiful in different ways (Germany, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel), but I didn't find Austin beautiful in the same way. Sure there were some gorgeous views - the rolling hill country, the lakes and waterways, the cornfields, and OPEN SPACES - but, the state Capital is not particularly so (where I work every day). I've missed trees and the ocean. So how am I going to remedy that? I've already planned our next summer vacation camping in Big Sur!

More than all this though, I think that what's driving my move back home is just that - it's home. For all its good and bad points. Family, friends and a job I pray will take me back, and a school that my daughter thrived in. So the two kids and I be living back with my newly widowed mom for a while (who now finds her 4 bedroom home much emptier), then again cramped in a grossly overpriced two bedroom apt. with no yard. Alas, we'll be near the family. And in the best state in the union - because it's home.

[Mach50]

I know how happy you were to get out of OC. Sounds like the move wasn't a total loss, as many things unfolded. Hopefully you can regain some peace amongst family and friends.

I tend to believe that everyone will eventually go back home, that grass is always greener.

Good luck

[JustJulia]

You've been through a lot ... I think the comfort of home and family are just what you need. And it sounds like your mom could use the company. I'm sorry about your dad.

[treedonkey]

Sounds like you made a good enough decision at the time you moved away, it's just that some hard knocks befell you along the way. Sorry about that. Two pretty tough ones, I'd imagine.

If anyone tries to say, 'I told you so', you should just write it off as ignorance, at best.

[enlightenme]

In your situation, you are making the best decision to move back home. Too many traumatic events have happened in your life to be away from your support and comfort. Right now you need your mom as much as she needs you as much as your kids need her...This sounds like a win-win situation in the sense you will be able to surround your mom with her grandkids, she will be able to give you the extra help too and hopefully you can get back to the job you love. A happy mom is important right now in your children's lives. Don't feel like a failure that you didn't give Austin a longer chance. I lost my father about ten years ago before I had children and my mom needed me so bad. We would have never been able to heal so well if I had been in another state. I wish you well and you are a strong woman! Good luck.

[Twinkle Toes]

Best of luck with your move back HOME, Cabolissa!!! So sorry to hear about what's going on in your life that is bringing you back home. I hope things start looking up for you. I didn't have the same set of circumstances as you, but when we moved to San Antonio, we were only there for 9 months before we came back home to CA too. I truly wish you all the best!

[cabolissa]

Thanks everyone!

[Bluesbabe]

Sometimes one just has to leave for awhile and experience more life somewhere else in order to look at the old settlement in a different light. A new environment can teach us much, good or bad. I left the San Joaquin Valley and couldn't wait to get out of there. Now, I appreciate a lot more things about it and hope to return.

By the way, I lived in Austin for three years and never looked back.

[treedonkey]

Lance recently left Austin, so it can't be THAT great...
Lance Armstrong Plants Roots in Aspen

"Lance Armstrong Plants Roots in Aspen"

Lance Armstorng who is wooing television audiences with his return to cycling will be returning a different residence when his tour of duty is finished with the Tour de France. He has just completely a near $10 million dollar home that locals say is nothing short of spectacular. "Lance loves to be in the altitude for training, he loves being near his kids and he is assimilating into the community quickly," said an Aspenite. "I have spoken to him numerous times and it really seemed about the kids and biking, but he has really become a spokesperson for the community. He is praising everything and making tons of new friends."

Some people had mentioned that it was kind of funny that he dated Kate Hudson for a short time and now is going to be living near her. Armstrong has spent a lot of time in Aspen in the past and trained there often. He has raced the Leadville 100 in the past as well. Armstrong has also indicated that Austin has changed a lot and the changes were part of his decision to make the move.

Austins loss, Aspens gain. Lance Armstrong a true over achiever and spectacular athlete. Waiting for the great stories of people skiing with him this next winter.

[Fontucky]

How do you know until you've tried? Welcome back.