How Many Times Have You Moved???!!! (cross-country, roommate, long distance, apartment)

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

I was born a military brat...and now it's extremely difficult for me to stay in one spot.

How many times have I moved? My God, I've sat here for a few minutes trying to count and just as soon as I think I have the answer, I remember another place.

I've literally moved so many times that I have lost count.

On one hand, it's a good thing: I've met people from everywhere, discovered new cultures, (even the different cultures in the US, I count), am able to easily adapt to new situations and am able to talk to just about anyone.

On the other hand, it sucks. I've never known anyone my entire life. No roots, no long time friends from way back when, no one place to go for a high school reunion, (yah, you go where you graduated from but it feels weird when you went to so many schools), no "history", so to speak.

But, I'm glad I have had the experiences but I would not recommend moving quite so much.

Oh my gosh; everything you said in your post, I have been thinking.

Do you think being a 'military brat' (as was I) gives you a certain restlessness now for staying in one place?

I truly think it does. My extended family - all living in the same town where they were born - think there is something seriously wrong with me.

I tried to raise my son there and it was great when he was young. But as he started school - it was hard for him to 'break in' because we hadn't lived there since time began. All the other kids had parents who had known each other since kindergarten - and I just didn't have that. He had friends - but not a huge crowd.

I was already feeling restless when a job opportunity came up in another state. My son said he wanted to move - even though that meant starting his sophomore year in a new place; new school, etc. We made the move.

But I'm a little said that I think he's going to have a gypsy spirit too. And high school reunions won't mean much to him either.

There's a lot more opportunity here and better schools. But, I don't know.

Why don't I want to stay in one place???

[Sweetbottoms]

I have a hard time staying in one place but my husband is one who hates change so we butt heads ALOT. As a child I moved around a lot even if it was back and forth to my parents house. We moved to NH, lived there for 11 months then moved back to Florida. We been back for 4 years and I'm DYING to get out again, the itch is just overwhelming so now we are looking to go somewhere else (reluctantly for him)

[katiescarlett]

I have moved many times and am glad there are others who do too. I am single trying to find my niche in life. Grad school never seems to work out and I move every 8 to 14 months, from one state to the next, pursuing different career or educational goals. I have moved about 9 times in the past 3 years and don't know how much longer I want to be in my current location. It's been a roller coaster, but I'm finally coming to terms with it and realizing it's okay to move that much. I just want to eventually find a place to settle for at least a few years.

[virtuousman]

Growing up my parents moved every year. I never spent an entire school year in one school. I was the new kid in class every damn year!

[Joy74]

I have moved ten times in ten years. That is a move a year. I moved out of state once, and within different CA cities the rest. I'm going to remain in one city for good since I am starting a business. I'll just travel to different cities and states for business and networking. I no longer enjoy moving so much. I prefer stability now.

[RomaniGypsy]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

Oh my gosh; everything you said in your post, I have been thinking.

Do you think being a 'military brat' (as was I) gives you a certain restlessness now for staying in one place?

I truly think it does. My extended family - all living in the same town where they were born - think there is something seriously wrong with me.

I tried to raise my son there and it was great when he was young. But as he started school - it was hard for him to 'break in' because we hadn't lived there since time began. All the other kids had parents who had known each other since kindergarten - and I just didn't have that. He had friends - but not a huge crowd.

I was already feeling restless when a job opportunity came up in another state. My son said he wanted to move - even though that meant starting his sophomore year in a new place; new school, etc. We made the move.

But I'm a little said that I think he's going to have a gypsy spirit too. And high school reunions won't mean much to him either.

There's a lot more opportunity here and better schools. But, I don't know.

Why don't I want to stay in one place???

I'd bet that it's because the desire to see the unseen and know the unknown is very strong within you. (I wish I could take credit for that quote, but I can't. It's from a book I just read.)

[MaggieZ]

I moved a lot and so many people here in Belgium look at me funny when I say that, as if that means I'm unstable or goofy or something...I like the fact that I lived in many places and would move again if given the opportunity, I like where I am now but next year I may decide I'm outta here...being alone also helps me do this, there's no other person to consider....I think the more you move, the less rooted you are and the easier it is to adjust and solve problems that arrise in new situations and the more accepting of others' differences you become....

[Eastern Roamer]

I move locally almost every year. That's the advantage to renting - if you're ready for something bigger or nicer, or if your money is tight and you need to free up some cash, just wait until your lease it up and move accordingly.

I like to hire help every other time I move so I don't burn up my favors with friends. I'd hate to ask for their help every time.

[RomaniGypsy]

Originally Posted by Eastern Roamer

I move locally almost every year. That's the advantage to renting - if you're ready for something bigger or nicer, or if your money is tight and you need to free up some cash, just wait until your lease it up and move accordingly.

I like to hire help every other time I move so I don't burn up my favors with friends. I'd hate to ask for their help every time.

I have a friend I always call, when it comes time to move my piano. :-) It's become a running joke with us. However, I've helped him move twice also... in three years... along with plenty of other things... so neither of us ever burns up our favors with the other. I think that's a good way to go... be as helpful as you can, and people will step up to help you when the time comes that you need help.

[jasper12]

That is true, you learn how to be adaptable, and become more flexible. Things become less important. I think you also learn how to get along with a wide variety of people from various cultures.