EX LIers: what DON'T you like about your new location? (New York: daycare, neighborhood)
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For all that have moved away from Long Island. If you had to do it over again would you still move. If yes would you have still moved to the same place. Do you feel you're children's QOL improved or decreased? Are you much happier with your new home or the one you left?
Yes, without a doubt. The only thing I miss is a Diner with the 16 page menus.
I opened the thread with plans to reply and this jumped out... it's funny how these items are typical misconceptions of life off LI and what many perceive or assume to be true. #3 is incredible in that you'd think there wasn't anyone successful in any field unless they came from LI... which we all know is a complete farce. The locals in Hempstead and Shirley are so sophisticated. and #7 is great - junked cars and couches out front when it comes to LI property is rampant. In fact, you'll see it more on LI because there's no HOA to prevent it.
Good food, good entertainment, good jobs, and hub airports all exist outside the NYC metro... and honestly it's been hotter on LI this Summer.
What most people will miss is friends and family... and when that gets in your head you find all sorts of other reasons to hate it. Relocations fail when people are not prepared for that part.
Or perhaps these are all rationalizations to mask the fact that the move to Bumpkinville -- even with its much lower living costs -- isn't really all that it's cracked up to be.
Seriously, I agree with the friends and family argument. I also think it depends on the person and their stage in life. If you've lived in Suffolk all your life and you think that NYC is some faraway land, then you probably will do better somewhere else. OTOH, if you want Broadway, the very finest and innovative food, lots of culture and other cutting-edge brain stimulation, then you're not going to match all of that in places like Charlotte or Atlanta.
Let me add that some of the ex-pats feel the need to justify their move to another part of the country because of the expense and hassle. It's called post-purchase rationalization, where you gloss over faults and mistakes to justify your decision (i.e., "The community theater here is just as good as Broadway.").
At least the Long Islanders acknowledge that there are benefits to living elsewhere and there's a lot to complain about when it comes to life on the Island. As for the ex-pats, well, they've just moved to the land of milk and honey, and no one's going to tell them otherwise.
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It would seem that for you proximity to the real culture that is NYC is a priority for you thats fine. But it is probally safe to say that when someone does leave economics / job obligation are a driving force. Whatever the reason they seem to try and look at the positive that their new home provides. I would guess that many do not partake in what NYC affords, unless company comes and therefore survive quite well without it. As previously stated it is probally best if you don't relocate because your view of living ends at the Hudson River...
Food can be replaced. When I lived in California, I substituted Mexican food for pizza, bagels, and delis, and was amazed by how good it was. I've also never seen such fresh produce in my life. The same goes for a few other areas I've lived in. Yes, you eventually miss NY specialities, but it's not a dealbreaker.
As an expat who's been able to make a good living both on LI and in other parts of the country, I should point out that I'm an expat who CAME BACK.
Why? Because no matter how much I complain about LI and genuinely dislike it (I do), I cannot replace my friends and family. I've tried to "get a life going" on the west coast, and even though I lasted for several years and made tons of lifelong friends, I found it emotionally and psychologically impossible to come to terms with the fact that my mother, my siblings, and my lifelong friends were now peripheral people that I'd see on Facebook, talk to on the phone, and see once per year in person.
Some people can adapt to this. I could not, and so I came back.
Food can be replaced. When I lived in California, I substituted Mexican food for pizza, bagels, and delis, and was amazed by how good it was. I've also never seen such fresh produce in my life. The same goes for a few other areas I've lived in. Yes, you eventually miss NY specialities, but it's not a dealbreaker.
As an expat who's been able to make a good living both on LI and in other parts of the country, I should point out that I'm an expat who CAME BACK.
Why? Because no matter how much I complain about LI and genuinely dislike it (I do), I cannot replace my friends and family. I've tried to "get a life going" on the west coast, and even though I lasted for several years and made tons of lifelong friends, I found it emotionally and psychologically impossible to come to terms with the fact that my mother, my siblings, and my lifelong friends were now peripheral people that I'd see on Facebook, talk to on the phone, and see once per year in person.
Some people can adapt to this. I could not, and so I came back.
This may be the best post on this thread because of the family thing. Of course, food can be replaced if you move to a sophisticated place such as California. If it's Arkansas, well . . . not so much.
We made a 90 degree move from Long Island to Upsate NY. Love LI, love the food, especially the carbs - bagels, pizza, bakeries. Loved the schools, definitely the parks and beaches. Only complaint was the commute for work in to the city. Close to 2 1/2 hours each way door to door. Railroad or Parkway, both suck. 5 hours of commuting every day is a killer. I transferred up here and my home to work time is just over 20 minutes - but I'm also not commuting in to the city every day either. I still go in to the city on weekends often enough, and it takes the same 2-2 1/2 hours but I live more than twice as far.
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