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I know the saying too well. I grew up around Raleigh and went away for college. I always thought that I'd move back there, as it was my corner of paradise, but when I returned things weren't the same at all. I still miss the country roads, the farms, the greenery. Going "home" is like visiting a grave to me these days.
I guess paradise is a moving target. Go where you're happiest.
I was born and spent my early childhood in Seattle, had fond memories, but when I came back as an adult, it had changed so much it didn't feel like the same city... and I didn't like it
We left Seattle for Boston, and even though I still love it, I don't see myself ever moving back. Spent most of my years since I was 18 in CA, and every time I leave, it just doesn't feel right now...
I would say that it is true that you can't go back if you come from an area that experienced the housing boom. For instance, NC has completely changed. I started going down there in the early 90s before the sprawl took over. The state has lost all of it's character. I can understand why so many people are moving back North.
I came from Maryland (Annapolis area). This state has become a concrete jungle with fast food chains, car dealerships, and 10 of everything within 20 miles.
I move to a remote area of northwestern Ohio. Total culture shock for me. Everything moved at a much slower pace and was much more spread out. It took a while to adjust but I came to like it.
Now, after moving back to Maryland, I am totally disgusted with this place and would move to anywhere that isn't the northeast in a heartbeat. I miss that slower pace, the "whatever you do is fine with me" lifestyle, no one poking their nose in your business and telling it to everyone they think knows you, etc. I can't sneeze in Maryland without half of my friends and family hearing about it. I started dating a girl, knew very little about her, just thought she was fun to be around and good looking (we are still together and I love her to death), but turns out her grandfather is a former state police chief who knows my grandfather, etc. Found that out the 3rd day I was dating her because my family recognized her last name and started shooting their mouths off to everyone.
Just remember, home is home and it always will be, but you moved away for a reason.
I love Pennsylvania, and I have never adjusted to North Carolina. It's always felt like I was in an airport and my flight kept getting canceled. Now when people tell me this, it has me worried somewhat.
Have you ever been able to "go home again"?
that's how i feel about houston. ive been here a few years, but it doesn't feel like home. heck, it doesn't even LOOK like home. just based on how it looks (buildings/colors/trees), it's like i went on a vacation somewhere i didn't necessarily want to travel to and i can't return from it (except that i still have to work, and it's WAY too hot, lol). that's how i usually put it (good to know im not the only one). one can truly be unhappy in a new location, BUT i think most people have a tendency to idealize their home (or where they wish they were). it may not feel as great when you go back. i guess it just depends on how realistic you are about your expectations and whether where you want to be really is better for you than where you are. truthfully, houston has A LOT to offer...i just dont think it will ever feel like home for ME.
We've moved away, then back (and now moving again, but not due to unhappiness here). It was actually very nice to return "home;" it's fun to be able to see all the places from when I was a child, and still feels odd to meet people who went to my high school, for example. I lived in my home city through college, so in many ways I feel like I already had two very different "home" experiences -- home while living at home with my parents, and home while a college student and living in my first apartment. Same city, two very different experiences and realms. Now I'm here with a child, and that provides another totally different experience. I think as long as one doesn't idealize the past, and assume that you just pick up where you left off X years ago, then it can be very easy. Obviously some of that depends on both the specific location as well as the the individuals involved. There's a certain comfort level that comes with a long time spent in a location, especially if many meaningful events happened there. We also lived for a number of years in Los Angeles, and that, too, will (I think) always feel like a second "home" to us, in part because we really felt connected to it while we lived there, and because we experienced some major life milestones there.
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