Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Where would you go? Would you go? Advice/Opinions NEEDED!


(This photo was taken by me as we cross country traveled last summer with all four of our children!)

Have you ever thought about living somewhere other than where you live now? I don't mean the neighborhood next door or even the neighboring city. I am referring to new horizons, you know that location that in your mind fulfills certain desires; such as a better climate, more family friendly, less crowded or more crowded, less depressed economically, more like minded community, and on and on this list could go.

My husband and I have some big decisions to make over the next several months. One of them is that we are moving and we can pretty much go anywhere we desire! His job is remote and therefore our location can be transient. I thought this decision would be easy but now I am thinking about it and I am not as "pick up and go" as I thought I was.

So now I feel stuck in the middle, a horrible place to be. I refuse to be held back by fear so I am carefully considering, praying and being sensitive to my inner cues. I am also someone that, while going through a decision-making process, likes to hear feedback from others!

So I am torn, since the day we met we have daydreamed of living somewhere other than here but the opportunity has never been open, until now. We have done some extensive traveling and we have our favorite destinations that we like to call our "home away from home". Destinations, that if given the opportunity, we said we would move there in a heart beat. We consider ourselves as fairly adaptable and social. We love to try new things. I have made and acted upon difficult decisions such as change my son's school mid-year for the benefit of my child, which is going against the grain a tad. We don't like where we live (and I will not bore you with those details). I think we have what it takes.

On the flip side, where we live now is where our family ties are which is extremely important to us. It is familiar; we have both lived here all our lives. Our children are vested in their school which is positive. We are huge supporters of my parent's local ministry.

 I am curious...

1. If you could live anywhere, where would you live and why?

2. Would it be difficult to go? If yes, would you go anyway or would you be held back emotionally?

3. Additional thoughts or experiences...?

I am weighing and praying heavily and I would love to hear from you to help provoke my thoughts..

Do you stay or do you go?

7 comments:

  1. this is a hard question...especially because it is such a reality and possibility for you, which is very exciting!!! :) That is so great that you get the opportunity to live somewhere you've always dreamed of. My husband and I have been to Hawaii now 3 times and fall in love with it more and more. We've tried to figure out a way to move there, buying a house and renting it out while we're away, getting jobs out there but it doesn't seem to want to work out right now, maybe the universe and God just dont' think its the right time yet. But we know we love it and want to move there. I would miss my family very much (they'd probably visit half the year though anyways!) but we have to do, like you have to do, what is best for your family, and your happiness, and if moving somewhere else will fulfill a dream of happiness, I say go for where you most want to me, the place that feels right to you. Your emotions don't lie, if you go to a place that doesn't feel right, then its not right, but if you feel good there, its the right place for you. I think it would be very difficult to leave family but at the same time, you never know what will happen in the future. maybe they will move where you go if they like it when they visit! :) Best of luck to you and your family with everything!!

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  2. I would personally love to move to North Carolina. No specific reason, it has just always been the place I wanted to go. Would we go if we had the opportunity? Probably. But it's easy for us since our family is already far away. While, yes, we would miss our friends, we are quite capable of making more. Leaving to come here to go to college was tough, but not horrible. We had each other and that was all we needed.
    As much as I don't want to see you guys move away, sometimes you need to follow your heart. We are lucky enough to live in the age of information and communication, the miles that seperate you from your family and friends will be reduced to nothing. We are always just a mouse click away (or a phone call). I feel that if God has given you the opportunity to try new things and to see new places, you need to take that path he has laid before you. Only you can decide what is right, and take the kids opinions into account (especially the boys). They may be young, but they are pretty observant and they are affected by the move just as much as you.
    Love you guys!

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  3. I understand where you are coming from. You only live once. Do it! Nothing has to be permanent. You can always come back if it doesn't feel right. You can control your destiny and happiness. If you see an opportunity for the better; why wouldn't you take it? I would say somewhere south; but research the family friendly areas. I'm sure there is a magazine company the publishes top places to raise a family in warm climates. Go for it!! ...But keep the freebie posts up and running!

    Bonnie

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  4. Yeah that is difficult. I have lived several places, and enjoyed getting to know new surroundings- but I was single then. It must be much harder to think this through while also wanting to take care of your family and their needs as well as your own.

    To answer the question though...I'd move to Ireland. I lived there for a year and a half and really loved it. I also daydream about Savannah Ga- it's beautiful there and always impresses me when I visit. I also really like Sonoma....

    Long story short, as long as my husband an baby were game, I'd live practically anywhere:)

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  5. Honestly, we have looked at moving many times. Even as far as to put an offer on a house and then the job was able to be done remotely. I personally would love to live somewhere warm and exotic or even out of the country (Im partial to china :-) but for my kids sake and that of my family we will remain here. The ties here are strong, both my parents and DH dad live within 2 miles of us. Safe midwestern town and all that. Good place to raise kids and school systems are excellent. So for us, we are stuck...HOWEVER, once the kiddos are grown we are moving where ever our granbaby is! Good luck, it is a difficut decision to make, but living in regret is worse.

    Blessings
    Amy

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  6. Thank you so much for your feedback!! I knew I couldn't be the only one out there that thinks about this.

    By no means have we made any type of decisions but it has been and will continue to be extremely helpful to hear others points of view.

    xoxo

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  7. My husband and I have definitely considered this before. On one hand, I think it would be awesome to just pick up and go. Start over. It does seem fun and exciting. But, we've always been held back because for us we don't feel God leading us away from here just yet so we're still hanging around.

    I think you are doing the right thing by praying about it with an open mind and waiting for God's leadindg and direction.

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