Feels like Home

[vegaspilgrim]

Even though I was born and raised in Denver, it never really hit me that Denver was "home" until I left to go to college and came back home to visit. It's almost like you have to live somewhere else to gain a sense of perspective on where you came from.

[ryanek9freak]

I second that.

[livecontent]

I grew up in New York and I was surrounded by the immigrants that came to America in the great wave of immigration during to last half of the 19th century to the early part of the 20th. I knew from their talk and that vacant far away look, that some never felt at home. Others told me it took years, and only after having children and an extended family, did they feel at home. Some said it was only when they went back to the "old country" for a visit and returned to America, did they feel at home.

I have been in Colorado going on 30 years and I would say it has taken me a long time, perhaps 10 years, to feel at home and that I am a Coloradan and no longer a New Yorker. I was like a new immigrant to a new world--the old world still intruded on my memories. However, as I became close to people here and established an extended family--there is less thought of home. What really has cemented my feeling of a Colorado home was when I returning from a trip and I saw the great plains and the mountains beyond---I was going home.

Livecontent

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Even though I was born and raised in Denver, it never really hit me that Denver was "home" until I left to go to college and came back home to visit. It's almost like you have to live somewhere else to gain a sense of perspective on where you came from.

That happened to my kids as well. Interestingly, it made me feel more like a Coloradan that my kids are so "bonded" to it!

[katysalsa]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. That's interesting that someone said it took about 10 years. I asked my mom how look it took her to feel like AZ was home. She moved out from NY when she was about 25 I think. She said it took her about 10 years. That just seems like so long, but everyone's different. My husband feels like CO was home within the first week of being here. I think a lot of it has to do with how attached you were to where you were coming from.

[the_koolkat]

I have lived here exactly one month today !! I am renting a cute little house, I'm working, I have met a handful of really nice people, and I have more things to do and places to go then I ever dreamed of back home. So yeah, I am feeling at home. What's still missing? Furniture....mostly just furniture!