What would you Do?~Seriously

[seschris]

I moved away from NY 23 years ago. I was born NYC and raised in Westchester, I graduated college, married and had my son in OH, lived in MD (my hubbies home) and now reside in NC. There is no place like NY and the PIZZA can not be duplicated anywhere!!!!

[slowloris]

Theres a reason that things like housing are more around here. I'm too young to really make an opinion but I already have friends who've left for what was though greener pastures elsewhere and are back or plotting their way back. It's hard when you've been living around here your whole life, and then make such a rapid change to your enviroment. I'm sure the people are great around you and you can get more for your money, but what beats a hot slice on a cold afternoon and having all the benefits of one of the worlds greatest city at your fingertips?

[keith talent]

I grew up in NYC and Jersey, and I never got totally used to that Southern thing, either, though I have some good memories and friends from my 7 years down in Knoxville, Tenn.

Having to eat chain pizza means you live in the underdeveloped world, right? The SLOWNESS of everything can set you on edge. Loved the weather, but finally, it was the irony deficiency and the righteousness of the place that plum wore me out! Sooner or later, you'd have to deal with the influence of the Baptist church, the kooky creationists, the teetotalers, the Civil War gripers, the helpless Southern Woman stereotype, not to mention the guy Neil Young sang about, if you had the guts to walk into a beer bar!
Great place to visit, but ...

Good luck on returning to civilization, such as it is.

[lynnmc]

Wow. I'm really glad I'm hearing all of this. Me and my fiance were SERIOUSLY thinking of moving south...TX, GA, NC, SC...whatever. Just to get away from the ridicolously expensive cost of living in Westchester. We got offered his mom's old, small, run down cottage for pennies, but were still unhappy because we don't have the chance to have the perfect suburban house that Americans dream of. However, after a change in perspective, we can spend the money we wouldn't be spending on a heavy mortgage, to expand and renovate the house over the coming years. No, it won't be like buying our own 3000 square foot, move in condition dream home, but...we will live in Westchester, and not in an overpriced apartment or house because we lucked out with family. And to be honest, we really don't want to leave. Both of us grew up here. Him in Mt. Kisco, me in Katonah. All of our friends and family are here. It sounds like a great idea when you've got home ownership, a pool, a boat, and a jacuzzi on the brain, but does that really buy happiness???? Can we really leave the only place we have ever known for the unknown just because we want a nicer home for cheaper...when we still have the opportunity to live here for pretty cheap??? It's sort of a no-brainer now, and I'm glad that I'm hearing alot of people say they regret doing it just for a bigger house. You have to decide what your priorities in life are and put everything into perspective. If you have GOOD reason (other than just a nicer home) to move than that's one thing. If your moving closer to family, friends, a job transfer, etc. But when you have your life set here, and no where else...what would be the point? Moving may be exciting at first, and the bigger home and lower cost of living would be nice to...but when the novelty wears off, and homesickness sets in, you may realize that you made a choice for the wrong reasons. One thing that made me change my mind was the holiday season. What would we do???? Drive up here, fly out here, spend it by ourselves in front of the TV. Dorothy is right...there is no place like home. Money isn't always everything.