NY decision - would love some advice...

[Jobine]

I too lived in SC, Newport Beach to be exact. Can't beat it for aesthetic beauty and the perfect weather. But the driving was insane and believe it or not, the perfect people got to be a little flaky and I yearned for the autumn leaves, a good thunderstorm, the springtime after a long winter and even the first couple of snowfalls especially around Christmastime. I also was from Long Island when I was a child. Now, driving in Long Island is like the pit of hell. I don't mind commuting as much as long as I'm not in insane traffic for the majority of the drive.
Now I live in Woodstock, NY. About an hour from Albany where jobs are available. I commute to Middletown which is a little longer than I care for but I've traded off that inconvenience for how I feel when I'm home here. There is an abundance of cultural activities available, art,music, theater and I enjoy just sitting on the village green and just watching the show. People playing music on the street corner, drumming circles every Sunday. All types of people milling about. Going for a swim at the swimming hole with my son. I guess you have to make a list of what are the most important values for you. It's always a tradeoff. No place is completely perfect....except for Woodstock

[kristalou]

Originally Posted by Jobine

I too lived in SC, Newport Beach to be exact. Can't beat it for aesthetic beauty and the perfect weather. But the driving was insane and believe it or not, the perfect people got to be a little flaky and I yearned for the autumn leaves, a good thunderstorm, the springtime after a long winter and even the first couple of snowfalls especially around Christmastime. I also was from Long Island when I was a child. Now, driving in Long Island is like the pit of hell. I don't mind commuting as much as long as I'm not in insane traffic for the majority of the drive.
Now I live in Woodstock, NY. About an hour from Albany where jobs are available. I commute to Middletown which is a little longer than I care for but I've traded off that inconvenience for how I feel when I'm home here. There is an abundance of cultural activities available, art,music, theater and I enjoy just sitting on the village green and just watching the show. People playing music on the street corner, drumming circles every Sunday. All types of people milling about. Going for a swim at the swimming hole with my son. I guess you have to make a list of what are the most important values for you. It's always a tradeoff. No place is completely perfect....except for Woodstock

I totally agree with you, Jobine. What matters is what is most important to you, and that is a different list for everybody. There is always a trade off of something - whether it be traffic for distance, price for conveniences, etc. I think I'd be ok with a further distance so long as almost everyone on the road is civil with each other. It makes driving more tolerable when people behave themselves. I know I'm dreaming on that one though! I'm glad you found your happy place to be there in Woodstock. Hubby and I will find ours too I am sure. If only his family liked the same places we did - that would make this move a heck of alot easier. It is always tough to leave family behind. But they love it here in So Cal, so they have already found their place.