I have been reading this blog for a while and waiting for my chance to jump in on the writing workshop. This week I’m taking the plunge. Mama Kat sends out writing prompts every week, you pick one, post it on your blog and link back to hers. It’s pretty fun. I chose the below topic. Enjoy!
What would it take for you to pick up and move? If you had asked me that about 10 years ago my answer would have been simple. A full tank of gas! Now, things are a bit different. In 2002, I moved to sunny Southern California. While it’s not perfect (expensive houses, earthquakes, expensive houses), it’s a lovely place to live. I can’t get enough of the weather (it was 80 yesterday), I am in love with the beaches and the laid back lifestyle. I also have roots here now. I met my husband here, we have a child, friends, careers and a home. All of that makes it not so easy to pick up and leave even if we wanted to. All that being said, leaving here would be hard for me to do. As long as I can remember I have wanted to live in a big city. New York was my number one choice. I had never considered L.A. or anywhere in California for that matter. I was too afraid of the previously mentioned earthquakes! My moving here was a bit of a fluke. My best friend had moved out here and that prompted me to do the same. It was quite the gamble as I had to leave the security of my job at the time to make the move. While it was risky it caused me to have a new outlook and a new attitude about reaching my goals. All of my hustling paid off and I haven’t regretted my decision yet. My husband taunts me all the time about him taking a job in Boston or Mississippi. He loves to see my horrified reaction to even the suggestion of leaving the warm Cali temps. He’s quite the comedian. He’s from Illinois and claims he wouldn’t mind going back to the cold weather. Welp, that makes one of us. I, for one, am not a fan of the cold or snow so L.A. suits me just fine. I grew up in Michigan and went to school in Ohio and as far as the cold is concerned I feel like I did my time. Twenty plus years of snow crunching under my boots and defrosting my car. Brrr! I’ll pass. Sometimes, I do think I could take it again. If we moved to New York, Chicago or Paris, maybe. Then I remember the chill of winter and I have to confess to myself that my name is Cam and I am a wimp. There, I said it. While the East Coast and the Mid West definitely has its perks (family, reasonable real estate), Methinks I could only take it three out of four seasons. I hope I never have to find out. How did you end up living where you live? You ever think about moving?
6 Comments on Writer’s Workshop – Packing it up…
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I live in SoCal and understand why it would be very hard to leave … the beautiful weather, the ocean breeze, the farmers markets, yoga studios around every corner… all worth the insane traffic and high rent. Oh, and did I mention proximity to great wineries 🙂
@WineWillFixIt – it’s good living out here, right? I tell people it costs so much to live here because you have to pay for all the good stuff this place has to offer!
If I were in your shoes, I’m sure I’d feel the same way. Snow memories like that make me shiver and I’ve never lived with it before. I was born here in Georgia and have come to appreciate the scene here. I don’t mind hanging around for a little while longer but a part of me is ready for the “something new” phase in my life; I just have to figure out where it is.
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!
Teresa – Funny you should mention the “something new” phase in your life. My “something new” phase is what brought me to California! When you figure out what it is – I’m sure it will be perfection!
So glad you jumped in on the fun this week! Moving is something my husband and I have been talking about a lot lately…though I have to say I’m pretty happy where we are. Moving is such a huge decision!
Kat – moving is a huge decision. I would take some place pretty spectacular for me to get excited about packing up and rolling out!