Homesick - help! (Columbia, Camden: relocating, jobs, house)

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by usc_gal98

Why are you so hateful? I truly hope you are not a born and raised southerner because if you are, I'm ashamed of you. We are supposed to take pride in our hospitality.

I'm Tar Heel born and Tar Heel bred. My family has been in the South for nearly 300 years. I'm sick and tired of hearing Yankees complain about my home and I'm not going to take it anymore.

[SCforever]

Hermie
I moved to NE Columbia from another much smaller town in SC and even I felt the way you do, at first. I was only an hour and a half from "home" and I burned a track in the road I went back so often. Camden is a small town (less than 10,000) and shouldn't be expected to offer what a larger town might.

I believe that you are totally homesick - and maybe a little depressed. I know not having much to do is making it worse. Find one truly good girlfriend you would be on the way to enjoying yourself and your situation. She could help you with ideas on what to do in Camden.

As for Columbia, the first thing I did was purchase a family pass to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens (now $59). They have lots of activities there plus Boo at the Zoo at Halloween and Lights before Christmas that my kids loved. Membership also includes "Zoo & Aquarium Reciprocal Admissions" with a list of other zoos nationwide where you will get free admission. We would take a bag lunch and eat down by the river and then spend the entire day at the zoo.

Then I purchased a family membership ($60) to the SC State Museum. Believe it or not it was my son's favorite place to go before he could read. I would go through the entire museum reading the plaques on each exhibit to him. I think that's how he learned to read. There's even a hand-on area that kids love. This was a great rainy day excursion. Now of course they have Edventure Museum right there in front of the State Museum and this is great for kids. The yearly membership is a bit more ($130) but well worth it when you consider that you can go whenever you want.

The first year I was in Columbia we went to the museum and zoo almost weekly. They became our new "best friends". And remember most memberships include a few guest passes so you can invite someone and their child to make a new friend.

Camden is not so far from Columbia. We have people from our church who live in Camden. Find a good church (visit Sandhillschurch.org) and make some new friends. Our church is contemporary with great music, a great message presented in an oftentimes humorous way, a fun children's church and lots of friendly young couples. Come as you are, shorts, jeans whatever. We are now meeting at Bookman Road Elem in NE Columbia which is not far at all from Camden.

I know this will not solve your problem, but I can assure you that with time it will get better and you will find a lot of things to do in this area.

[usc_gal98]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I'm Tar Heel born and Tar Heel bred. My family has been in the South for nearly 300 years. I'm sick and tired of hearing Yankees complain about my home and I'm not going to take it anymore.

Oh, so you are from North Carolina then? Am I supposed to be impressed that your family has been here that long? So has mine. Except for the difference between us is that mine is from South Carolina. I'm just as much of a southerner than you are, my dear.

I get upset about certain things to, but there's a time and place for everything. This was a woman with a small child that was homesick. Was it necessary to jump down her throat like that?

[winter]

I'm tired of being referred to as a Yankee. I'm an American first last and foremost. The lady that is homesick has a right to feel that way. Even moving within your very own state is an adjustment. Sometimes a move is something that may not work.

[marylander2452]

I agree with Winter & USC, Dave O. Hermie was not complaining about hating SC so much as adjusting to the change. You've never been a mom but it is really hard to make friends with anyone when you don't have school aged children. She's in a new place and she doesn't know where to find companionship. Being that isolated isn't healthy.

Hermie, hang in there and don't listen to him. If your child is old enough, maybe you could enroll him in a local preschool. That's how I finally met some moms. And it's true, I've moved several times with and without children and a little bit of depression while expectations are adjusted is normal.

And thanks for the helpful post, also, because we are moving down in the spring and my husband will also be working in Camden. The things that you listed that you don't like about that particular town are things that are very important to me. Thanks!

[Lovin'Pawleys]

OK..............calm down. I KNOW how you feel. I moved here (Pawleys Island SC) 2 years ago from a very busy city in NC that I had lived in MY WHOLE LIFE. I love it here ......NOW..........but it takes time. It is not easy NO MATTER where you move. You know what made it better for me unitl I made friends (which I have lots of great friends now). I just had to make myself realize that I had to get involved in my own life. I did reserch, found my daughter a league to play sports in and right away I met tons of other parents. It has been great. Try to do research online to find things going on there, jump in and make the best of it. I had no choice due to a job tranfer for my hubby, so I understand. But, I made the best of it and now I am really happy!

[usc_gal98]

Originally Posted by Lovin'Pawleys

OK..............calm down. I KNOW how you feel. I moved here (Pawleys Island SC) 2 years ago from a very busy city in NC that I had lived in MY WHOLE LIFE. I love it here ......NOW..........but it takes time. It is not easy NO MATTER where you move. You know what made it better for me unitl I made friends (which I have lots of great friends now). I just had to make myself realize that I had to get involved in my own life. I did reserch, found my daughter a league to play sports in and right away I met tons of other parents. It has been great. Try to do research online to find things going on there, jump in and make the best of it. I had no choice due to a job tranfer for my hubby, so I understand. But, I made the best of it and now I am really happy!

I agree with you. I was born and raised here and still have a hard time adjusting. School, church, and sports have been a great outlet for my children.

Best wishes to you, Hermie. Hopefully as time passes, you will be able to meet people who have children your age.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by usc_gal98

Oh, so you are from North Carolina then? Am I supposed to be impressed that your family has been here that long? So has mine. Except for the difference between us is that mine is from South Carolina. I'm just as much of a southerner than you are, my dear.

That point is debatable and I am not dear to you nor you to me.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by winter

I'm tired of being referred to as a Yankee. I'm an American first last and foremost.

Consider yourself whatever you want but if you were born in the northeast or midwest then we consider you a Yankee.

[pitcrew]

i feel the same way- just moved here, to kershaw, last week. I could cry because i moved here- am from ohio and actually miss the weather!