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(Fran66's bolding, not mine). I especially like the wording of the statement which you placed in bold because it expresses a profound truth in a small number of words. "For the most part" is an important qualifier too.
I wonder what percentage of people who moved expecting a major improvement in happiness/contentment had their expectation come true? That is unknowable, of course; for one thing we City-Data posters represent a small and self-selected sub-set of retirees.
Well, it didn't happen to me. I thought it was going to -- and six months later, I knew I was wrong. But I refused to let my external circumstances make me miserable. New Mexico is so beautiful, I love taking all-day car trips and exploring, I made some friends, I learned a lot about myself and 'grew up' a little.
Now I'm gearing up to move back 'home' to Southern CA. Because I'm still very homesick and I refuse to live the rest of my life homesick (I've met too many transplants who are homesick for wherever their home is and yet refuse to go back). However, I also know that altho' I will be happier there, at least externally, the reasons why I left are still valid. Too many people, too much traffic, earthquakes, and other things. (Where's Early Retirement? Don't let him read this! ) But I also know now that, for me, the pros outweigh the cons. We have people on CD who are retired in Maine, MA, The Ozarks -- I would die in any of those places. But they are happy where they are (they've said so), and that's all that's important.
(Now just watch: I'll be back in Southern CA six months and screaming, "Lemme outta here!" )
Now I'm gearing up to move back 'home' to Southern CA. Because I'm still very homesick and I refuse to live the rest of my life homesick (I've met too many transplants who are homesick for wherever their home is and yet refuse to go back).
Fran(66), one of the nice things about SoCal is that there are so many choices. Perhaps you can move back in general, but not necessarily right where you moved from. You've got the metro areas, suburbs, the local mountain communities, the desert, etc... No other region in the nation has such a great variety of locales to choose from.
Fran(66), one of the nice things about SoCal is that there are so many choices. Perhaps you can move back in general, but not necessarily right where you moved from. You've got the metro areas, suburbs, the local mountain communities, the desert, etc... No other region in the nation has such a great variety of locales to choose from.
You're right, of course. But I'm moving back mainly for the ocean and because I'm a Big City Gal. I wouldn't move back to OC or SD (both of where I lived at different times), but Oceanside seems like a nice compromise. I can take a train to OC and SD. I can walk to the beach. Not too far from Oceanside is a place where I want to volunteer.
The first thing I'm going to do is hit the beach at daybreak and kiss the sand. LOL
We are happy now in Maine. In a forest, alongside a river. Lots of wildlife, very few people.
I have been to Maine, many, many times (not in the winter though) and agree the scenery is lovely.
But living there would be hell for me.
I want crowds of people, sidewalk cafe sitting, art galleries, exotic ethnic restaurants - at the very least Thai, Indian, Greek, Spanish, and French, world class museums, a great symphony orthestra, a smart and sophisticated piano bar where someone belts out Broadway show tunes, a great kosher deli with terrific hot pastrami on seeded rye and kosher dill pickle, parks with statues and fountains, 5 star hotels with fabulous champagne brunches, professional live theater, outdoor street festivals, "art" movie theaters that show foreign films, cool urbane jazz clubs, parades on major holidays, quirky old bookshops, amusing nightclubs featuring drag queens. Not to mention universities with visiting lecturers and a suburb medical infrastructure.
Some people are happy living in the woods. I'm satisfied watching re-runs of Little House On The Prairie.
I have been to Maine, many, many times (not in the winter though) and agree the scenery is lovely.
But living there would be hell for me.
I want crowds of people, sidewalk cafe sitting, art galleries, exotic ethnic restaurants - at the very least Thai, Indian, Greek, Spanish, and French, world class museums, a great symphony orthestra, a smart and sophisticated piano bar where someone belts out Broadway show tunes, a great kosher deli with terrific hot pastrami on seeded rye and kosher dill pickle, parks with statues and fountains, 5 star hotels with fabulous champagne brunches, professional live theater, outdoor street festivals, "art" movie theaters that show foreign films, cool urbane jazz clubs, parades on major holidays, quirky old bookshops, amusing nightclubs featuring drag queens. Not to mention universities with visiting lecturers and a suburb medical infrastructure.
Some people are happy living in the woods. I'm satisfied watching re-runs of Little House On The Prairie.
I have traveled a lot. Now finally, I can stop moving.
As a matter of fact, my wife and I plan to move to Paradise. And if we don't find the perfect home there we might just move to Magalia, which is another 5 miles up the road.
It all depends how long before the corporate office decides to let me go. It could be three months or two years from now.
Please remember what Jim Hoenig said: "Come, drive the Skyway."
As a matter of fact, my wife and I plan to move to Paradise. And if we don't find the perfect home there we might just move to Magalia, which is another 5 miles up the road.
It all depends how long before the corporate office decides to let me go. It could be three months or two years from now.
Please remember what Jim Hoenig said: "Come, drive the Skyway."
Not at all. Paradise and Magalia are two small towns in Northern California. Jim Hoenig used to be the manager of the Lantern Inn in Paradise, and he showed the place to us a few years back. The Skyway is the main road from Chico to Paradise and Magalia. I didn't mean to offend you.
Not at all. Paradise and Magalia are two small towns in Northern California. Jim Hoenig used to be the manager of the Lantern Inn in Paradise, and he showed the place to us a few years back. The Skyway is the main road from Chico to Paradise and Magalia. I didn't mean to offend you.
Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't offended, just a bit frustrated that I couldn't figure out what you meant. I've even been to Chico, but it was a very, very long time ago. However, I didn't recognize the names Paradise or Magalia. Nor was I familiar with the term Skyway. You'll be away from the crowds up there!
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) But I also know now that, for me, the pros outweigh the cons. We have people on CD who are retired in Maine, MA, The Ozarks -- I would die in any of those places. But they are happy where they are (they've said so), and that's all that's important.
