Have you ever moved away from Wa (Seattle, Vancouver: real estate, house)

[MunchiesMommie]

only to move back?

I have a serious itch to move away from here. I've been here my whole life, and I just want something different. I feel like I need change.

But I'm worried that I take things here for granted, since it's all I know.

So, I guess, I'm looking for some perspective.

Edited to add that I lived in Snohomish until I was 20, and I've lived in Lake Stevens ever since, so 6 years now.

[thirtysomething]

We moved from Vancouver/Portland 10 years ago. (DH had lived in Portland since birth, I had lived in CA, OR, and AK) First we moved to the Chicago area, then Southern California, and now the Bay Area. Our house is currently on the market, and we will be returning to the PNW.

When we left, I didn't feel tied to the area, and DH was ready for a change, and tired of the rain. However, just a couple years after leaving I longed to go back, and eventually he came around, also.

There are pros and cons to all places. Any idea where you would move to?

[jwb123]

No, we moved away and it was the best thing for us. We don't want to go back, and even if we did - we have been priced out of the market. Liked it enough while we were there, loved some things about it but really REALLY have embraced the change....

We now live in the Austin TX area and have no intention of moving again.

[Sandy Nelson]

We were assigned to Washington with the military 18 years ago and fell in love with it. After a three year tour here, we were reassigned to Europe. We always knew we wanted to come back, so when it came time for retirement, we moved back to Washington and made it our permanent home base.

Sandy

[mayfair]

We haven't moved away, but I would love to! The traffic has gotten so bad over the years and it's impossible to "move up" or move anywhere in the area because of housing costs.

[vnodak]

I have lived in ND,Minn,Colorado,New Mexico,Montana,Oregon,Washington and I have alot of family in Texas. I have alot of friends all over the states. I have lived in big cities and small cities and rural areas. All I can say for myself is that I can not wait to leave this state----for many reasons,but the top four are cost of living(taxes, taxes and more taxes),unfriendly people,traffic, and lack of sun. I am referring to the Seattle area. IMO it is just not for me but their are alot of good things too.

[ejmatl]

I moved away 6 months ago (after being on the west coast for only 7 years of my life). I'm moving back in two weeks.

I left to take a job in the "beautiful South" - the place I left for the WA/BC area - only to find things have changed so much environmentally, and to find I've changed so much. I'm looking forward to a good hard rain, "shades of grey", the "politeness" of people who merge in front of you in traffic (I'm not kidding) - and life in general.

eileen

[pw72]

I grew up in Seattle and spent my 20's in the city. Around 30, I moved to the Tri-Cities, (it's almost a different state!). At 36, I moved to Anchorage, at 39 to Eugene, Oregon, and since have lived in the Chicago suburbs and am currently in East Idaho in Pocatello.

Do I miss Washington? Yes. Do I miss how expensive Seattle has become compared to when I left? No. I guess I'm waiting for the next real estate crash, (could be waiting for awhile), before moving back to my native city.

[jabm67]

I have, twice.

First time probably doesn't count ... I graduated from UW, went to UT in Austin to go to grad school. My second job out of grad school brought me back to Seattle.

Moved away again in 1996, moved back in 2001. Only reason we could afford to move back was because we didn't sell when we moved ... we'd been in our place only 2 years, we couldn't get out what we'd put into the house, so we rented it out while we were away.

[azrayne]

We move out to az from WA 3 yrs ago, and 3 yrs to the day later, we decided to move back! I swore I wld nvr be the person who comes back less than 10 yrs later lol....some towns are just doomed to be returned to!

I like AZ in the fall, winter and spring, but those summer months are brutal!

I can appreciate the shade in WA now lol

Good luck!