In order to say you've "lived" somewhere... (vehicle registration, insurance)

[Vegabern]

Originally Posted by grapico

That's more of an informal moniker, I've been in the same place for 3 years at this point but will of course once again move soon, pretty fitting. It's possible I will settle down, but, who knows.

I was just teasing. I'd move every 2-3 years if I could. I want to live everywhere. I've been in Montana too long now.

[mayonaise]

For me, the moment when I have actually felt like I "lived" somewhere was the first time I reminisced with another resident about memories of the city's past: old businesses that have gone under, iconic landmarks that have been cleared, noble politicians, festivals that have been discontinued,or surviving a well remembered natural disaster.

I've lived in four states in three parts of the country, and I still remember those identity-defining conversations vividly.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by Vegabern

I was just teasing. I'd move every 2-3 years if I could. I want to live everywhere. I've been in Montana too long now.

There are good sides and downsides to this. At some level, you are always somewhat of an outsider wherever you are. It is also harder to make deep friendships with the more cliquey locals. On the other hand, it's easier to see differences in a place b/c you see them as is, instead of gradual change that is harder to notice. Also, you meet friends in lots of places, so continual traveling is easier as you often know somebody in X city you can stay with, and those friends will want to come visit you wherever you happen to be also. You also might appreciate aspects of a place that locals take for granted, and willing to try new things as you don't really have a routine or "must go to" places.

[pgm123]

Here's a rather silly test I came up with right now--do you clean your bathroom? If you're just staying for a short while, you'll never do that chore, but if you live there, you have to. To me, living in an area is just going about the daily activities of life. I will say I lived in Kobe for a month, but I will not say my month in Italy counts as living there because in Italy, I ate out for most of my meals and never did chores.

[jtur88]

I would say I lived there if I met at least three of these criteria:

1. Paid rent in advance at least a week, preferably a month.
2. Open ended, with no projected departure date.
3. Unpacked all my stuff and put it away.
4. Acquired personal articles for use in that place which would likely be left behind.
5. Arranged or actively sought a means of economic support within the locality.
6. Establish social contacts with people who expect you to stay awhile.

[The Right Side_TX]

For me personally it would be a few months at least. Not to mention during that time going to work everyday, school, etc. I also like the idea gobigred mentioned about also receiving mail.

[grapico]

My only qualifications

a) you are staying in the same place and not on a vacation, i.e. you are working or in school.

[projectmaximus]

I actually have thought about this before and consider three months the cutoff going strictly by time. But on a less tangible level, I just think it comes down to two main factors: 1) do you go about normal, everyday business and 2) do you consider yourself living there (and at home) even if it's very temporary.

If both are satisfied then i can't argue with ya.

Originally Posted by pgm123

Here's a rather silly test I came up with right now--do you clean your bathroom? If you're just staying for a short while, you'll never do that chore, but if you live there, you have to.

haha, i like this!

[jtur88]

How about this one.

I got a job in Nashville. My wife and I moved there, found an apartment, moved all our stuff in, I paid a month's rent, and I dutifully drove to work every morning, thinking I'd be there forever, and we acted like we lived there. For three weeks. Then the boss called me in and said that I had been hired only to fill in for three weeks, because the person they had hired for the job had to give notice, and could not be there for those three weeks. Sorry, nobody ever said life was fair, here's your check and some severance pay and a letter of recommendation. Good luck. A week later, I was in Lexington at a new job.

I was in Nashville for a month. Can I say that I lived in Nashville?

[projectmaximus]

^So you in my opinion, you met the first criterion so it's really up to you to decide whether you feel like you lived there. If yes, then yes. If not, then no.