Those that left WA, have you returned or are you thinking about it?? I'm retired military in case that helps. (Seattle: insurance)

[Tony1790]

How all,

This question goes to those that have left WA (you know who you are :-) How many of you have moved back or are seriously thinking about it and why??

My situation, I'm retired military, I left WA in June 07, my family is still in WA (staying at her sister's while my stuff is with the movers). I'm training for an operations job with the railroad in MO, sometime within the next 4 months I should be placed permanently somewhere that the railroad decides is a good place for them (no consideration where I want to go).

I'm kicking around the idea of quitting (waiting for them to tell me where they'd like for me to go, Chicago, ST Louis, or Pittsburgh are likely places.

If I do quit, I can move on to TN and go to college or return to WA and go to college or try to get on with the shipyard in Bremerton or some such thing.

To be truthful, I really, really like not living in WA state due to the traffic and weather there, but it is a pretty place and I rather like the temp, cool is "cool" ;-)

Also a big kicker is financial, my wife is union there and makes $18 hr in a grocery store, our medical is covered 100% at the Naval hospital in Bremerton and I can likely get a job there between $10 to $15 hr doing something. If I get on with the shipyard, I'd likely be around $17 - $18 hr, not too bad.

I've come to learn that there are tons of underpaid jobs out here and with little to no benefits. So really familiarity and financial issues are why I'd want to move back to WA. I still wouldn't want to buy a house in WA, I could pay half as much in TN or SC for a house, but the wife would make half as much as well and we'd have a heck of a time with medical coverage.

So, to those that left and came back, did you regret leaving, did you regret coming back, what would you suggest a retired military enlisted person do??

Thanks

Tony

[brightcopperkettles]

I am a native Washingtonian who grew up in South Carolina. I moved back in 1993 and married my second husband in 1999; he is a retired Seattle firefighter.

I would move back to SC in a heartbeat. My husband is 62 and I just turned 50. All my family is in SC. If we moved to SC, we could buy a house and retire immediately. If we stay up here, we will both have to continue to work. Cost of living is so much less in the South, and the people are so much friendlier.

There is no contest for me--The South all the way! The difference you save in housing costs alone will more than make up for what you will have to pay for insurance, food, etc.

[LMB]

BCK--

I sure hope your hubby comes around soon and agrees to move south at least part of the year, hopefully before your patience turns to frustration. You are a saint to live in an area you hate, away from your kids and other family members--it's especially difficult now with your daughter's wedding approaching. I know how you feel about missing out on so much. I was living in Orlando when our daughter was married in Seattle three years ago, and same as you, I missed out on all of the planning, shopping, showers, etc. We live close to her now, but that special time between mother & daughter is gone forever. As life would have it, we're back in the same frustrating boat again. Our son is getting married in three weeks--back in Orlando! :P

Hang in there. Just when you don't see any possible way, hearts & minds can change very quickly.

Lynn

[brightcopperkettles]

Originally Posted by LMB

BCK--

I sure hope your hubby comes around soon and agrees to move south at least part of the year, hopefully before your patience turns to frustration. You are a saint to live in an area you hate, away from your kids and other family members--it's especially difficult now with your daughter's wedding approaching. I know how you feel about missing out on so much. I was living in Orlando when our daughter was married in Seattle three years ago, and same as you, I missed out on all of the planning, shopping, showers, etc. We live close to her now, but that special time between mother & daughter is gone forever. As life would have it, we're back in the same frustrating boat again. Our son is getting married in three weeks--back in Orlando! :P

Hang in there. Just when you don't see any possible way, hearts & minds can change very quickly.

Lynn

That's what I'm hoping for....

[tahoesash]

OP, will the railroad job be well-paying? Secure/benefits? Expensive place to live? Will you know anyone? Do you know anyone in the other places you are considering (ie to help you get on your feet, meet other people, job leads etc) Are you both willing to jump into the adventure of someplace totally new? Do you have to decide on quitting v staying before you know where it will be? It sounds like your heart definitely lies in Washington, at least in part. That's something to consider. Esp if you both have decent jobs (those are livable wages there, the full benefits is a deal-maker for sure). Things to consider.