Where should I live?

[jdmetzger]

For a while, I've been considering moving away from my current hometown. I had a few cities in mind, but then I thought I might be limiting myself a bit... so why not ask everyone here for their opinion? I'm looking for suggestions of where YOU think I should move. Give me a location and a reason or two why that would be a good place (even if the reason is "because it's far away from me"). If I end up moving there, I'll buy you a 6-pack of your favorite brew, and if you live nearby, I'll buy you dinner, too (if you like). :wave

[henzilla]

Austin TX is full of computer folks your age..or close. lot's of techie companies here. My son-in-law works for Dell. You can become one of the guys that gets chided for telling riding all year round stories. Nightlife/music scene is up there on the scale. The cost of living is not SoCal high, but is a little pricey to some. Does get hot in August, but the lakes and the riding make it all better.
What are looking for ? Or What do you want to be when you grow up?:D

[sjbmw]

I live in NJ. I wish I lived in Asheville NC.
Never been there, but a place with so many motorcycle campgrounds sounds like the place to be.

[kbasa]

Tina and I spent a decade riding around the country, looking for a place to live.

We settled here in SF, CA. Our criteria were: no snow, reasonably warm, mountains, ocean, decently large city nearby with some level of culture available, good riding.

This suits us well.

You'd probably be best served by drawing up a list of things you want in a place to live and working from that.

[BubbaZanetti]

given boston any thought??

it's not too overwhelming, plenty of tech work (although, i'd recommend being flexible, governor patrick's #1 priority is to stabilize the high tech ebb and flow that goes on due to excessive taxation). It also has a lot of interesting things to do on account of the number of colleges. pretty good public transportation network and lots of attractive 20 somethings, again, due to the colleges. :D it's main drawbacks are expense and if you hate winter, the winter.

i'm trying to draw comparisons between boston and my new city and its hard, much different places, nyc is just giant in every single way.

[tessler]

I'd have to recommend New York City, Josh.

There's amazing riding North, South and West of here and you've got a GIANT of a city, as Bubba rightly notes, to tool around in: Culture, Food, Entertainment, Education. Ditch the cage and experience some great public transportation. It can't be beat.

It's the best place in America!

ps: I'm biased, but modest ;)

[ultracyclist]

Take into consideration climate, cost of living, taxes, user fees, career opportunities,
hobbies, health care, culture, type of housing you want, religious considerations,
and about a hundred other things.

Visit the place at different times of the year so you get a feel for the place. Make an extended trip at least twice. Subscribe to the local papers in order to get a feel for issues and prices.

If you really want to get the scoop on an area, go buy the tax assessor a cup of coffee. Tax assessors know what areas are slipping, areas that are on the up tick, and where both the money and the bodies are buried. The chamber of commerce will tell you what you want to hear.The Assessor will tell it the way it is.

Personally, I like the Santa Cruz area of CA. Unfortunately, that is one of the hottest real estate areas of the state, and housing is expensive. On the other hand, the research triangle in North Carolina is the same lattitude + or-.

Pick a place that will give you the most choices from a career perspective.
Companies and workforces come and go. If you are working for a company that gets bought out or merged, or etc. and your position no longer exists, then at least you have options.

Do you speak Spanish? If you are considering Southern CA, Texas, S. Florida, New Mex. or other states proximal to our souther border, then knowing Spanish is a requirement.

Do not rule out other countries either. If I was single, I would look at Austrailia and New Zealand.

[Belquar]

http://www.findyourspot.com/

[DarrylRi]

Personally, I like the Santa Cruz area of CA. Unfortunately, that is one of the hottest real estate areas of the state, and housing is expensive.

NO! Santa Cruz sucks!

Besides the high cost of housing, as Ultracyclist rightly notes, we've got crummy weather because it never changes. You'd miss all that fall color and subsequent quiet, grey coldness of winter, not to mention mud season.

Then, there's the eminantly entertaining politics of "Berkely by the Sea". We are a nuclear free zone (says so on the signs coming into town). Watch the city council try to reign in the panhandlers without offending the homeless advocates.

Also, summer weekends are unbearable with the hords of Silicon Valley people coming over here to soak up the sun on the beaches. And no bands ever play here.

[rkasal]

Lots of reasons too numerous to list here.

Regards,



Randy Kasal

[Rod Sheridan]

Canada is nice,

We have maritime, central, plains, mountain and arctic environments.

We have two languages, just like the US, except our second language is French.

Our first language is English, which used to be yours before that unfortunate incident in Boston harbour. (Note the spelling of harbour).

The use of French. alllows those of who are Anglophone, to order such gastronomic delights as Poutine, with an outrageous French accent. (Note that this usually causes Francophones to mutter about Anglophones as they stand in line in front of us at the poutine counter.)

Your second language used to be French also, however after the Loiusianna Purchase, you somehow converted Acadian to Cajun. (Come to think of it, you may be more French than we are, we don't have a province named after a French king).

We have universal health care, which along with "Why do Americans know so little about us?" are the two most common discussion items at parties in Canada during our 11 months of winter, except in the north, where it's 12 months.

We have the metric system as our standard of measure, like the remainder of the civilized world. America has the British Engineering system, except for the measures you copied incorrectly such as ounces per gallon etc.

Explain to us again why after the Boston Harbour incident, you kept a measuring system based upon the length of the arm of a long deceased British King, that you'd just fought a war over to gain your independence from?

We both have the dollar as the unit of currency, however your dollar is made from some flimsy paper type material, as opposed to our solid metal coin. To further confuse the issue, we also have a two dollar coin, made of course, of two distinct metals and pieces.

Unfortunately at the next denomination, we lost our trend and it's made of that flimsy paper type stuff. Fortunately in a few days it will be worth slightly more than your flimsy paper stuff.

We also have Red Green, who can make anything out of duct tape, and Bob and Doug McKenzie, who elevated Canadian language with such expressions as " Hoser", and "Take off Eh!"

Note the use of "Eh" as a Canadianism, just as annoying as your "You All".

So, come to Canada, where you get to wear a toque, and have the Queen as your head of state again. Just pop across the border, it's always open, just ask your Homeland Security people.

Tongue firmly in cheek......................Rod.:stick

[hlothery]

San Antonio is such a beautiful place. Culturally diverse, representative of the arts, theater, symphony. If you like Texas music.....it is one of the few places where you can dance the two-step or waltz on an outdoor dance floor, with folks aged 8 to 88 every Friday and Saturday night. Great food, a scenic River Walk which is loved by everyone except Mark Cuban. (Maybe it's the four Spurs' World Championships he doesn't like......) And the proximity to endless motorcycling in the Texas Hill Country less than 15 minutes away. In short, I am in Heaven......they just call it San Antonio. Some say it is hot here.......I haven't noticed. But, then, I have always said that anyone who complains about heat has never really been cold! I traveled the world during 23 years in the Army, and grew up in the Blue Ridge near Asheville. This is where I choose to be!:heart

Come down for a visit......bet you'll like it, too.

[Rapid_Roy]

Milwaukee is nice ,b ut we have this thing called "Winter."

Wherever you decide, I hope you are happy.

[535is]

Milwaukee is nice ,b ut we have this thing called "Winter."
Pretty much interchangeable with Toledo. If you want a bit more culture but you really like lake effect snow, Cleveland is good. All the same 'Ohio stuff' but a bit more urban than Toledo. Not as annoying as Columbus. Also lots closer to hills and curves for a better quality of riding than going out to Fort Wayne and back ...

Oh; why would a guy in Wisconsin know this? My folks are from west of Toledo (Dad is a UT '50 grad), I grew up in Tuscarawas County, and spent about the next 20 years of my life in Kent/Cuyahoga Falls/Akron with lots of time in Cleveburg. Hey, for that matter, Akron is good, too, if you like that smaller Midwest city flavor.

[lenrt1200st]

jdmetzger, Are you serious?

I'm an Ohio transplant. Two (2) years ago my wife and I moved to middle Georgia. We like it here!

The greatest advantage is a year-around (or nearly so) riding season, compared to Ohio it's year-round.

If you locate away from the large population areas like Atlanta metro, the roads are very well maintained and deserted! There's northern GA mountains, south, eastern seashore, and miles of two-lane in between.

The cost of living is reasonable to low, taxes are...ok tax collectors have a way of getting your money no mater where you live in the USA, but taxes are relatively low, and life is generally much less heck-tick than many east coast states.

BMW of Atlanta and Blue Moon are near by for service on your bemmer.

And, it would be nice to have another Yankee living w/in riding distance for an occasional riding adventure.

Come on down,

Len

[The_Veg]

My list would be basically like Dave's except I'd add 'stays under 100 in summer' and put lots of weight on AFFORDABLE (ruling out SF unfortunately- I've always loved it when I visited the area).

You don't need to speak Spanish in TexSux. This a myth that refuses to die for some reason, and it took me several years after moving here to convince my eternally-worrying mom of it. There are exceptions of course, like if you plan to be a foreman or supervisor in the construction or landscaping trades.

Rod, it's not "you all," it's "y'all," pronounced in a single syllable and it sounds exactly like "yawl." Does the fact that I'm originally from up nawth make it scary that I know this so well? :D

535is, my dad grew up in Stow, and my uncle still lives in the old house on Kent Road. That area used to seem rural-ish when I was a kid 30 years ago, but when I visited in 2005 it seems like it's all been swallowed up in a huge urban-zone...Stow seems like just another neighbourhood of northern Akron now. Chrissie Hynde might have been more prescient than anybody realised when she wrote My City Was Gone.

[OfficerImpersonator]

The Seattle-Portland area is always popular.

High-tech job opportunities, unlimited recreational opportunities, mild winters, cool summers, no humidity, no tornadoes, no hurricanes - just the occasional wind storm and earthquake out here.

Oh - and the most spectacular scenery in the lower-48. I know - you Colorado people will start screaming that Colorado has better scenery than the Pacific Northwest... Get yourself an ocean and then come talk to me :)

But our housing is expensive (everyone wants to move here). Here you can go skiing in the morning, salt water sailing in the afternoon, and out to the symphony (or see the latest incarnation of Pearl Jam perform live in their home-town) all in the same day.

[kbasa]

The Seattle-Portland area is always popular.

High-tech job opportunities, unlimited recreational opportunities, mild winters, cool summers, no humidity, no tornadoes, no hurricanes - just the occasional wind storm and earthquake out here.

Oh - and the most spectacular scenery in the lower-48. I know - you Colorado people will start screaming that Colorado has better scenery than the Pacific Northwest... Get yourself an ocean and then come talk to me :)

But our housing is expensive (everyone wants to move here). Here you can go skiing in the morning, salt water sailing in the afternoon, and out to the symphony (or see the latest incarnation of Pearl Jam perform live in their home-town) all in the same day.

The rain you guys get for a good portion of the year would render me a dark soul, indeed.

:buds

[The_Veg]

you Colorado people will start screaming that Colorado has better scenery than the Pacific Northwest...

Never been to the PacNW, but from pictures I get the impression that it's very green, while in my personal experience Colorado is very brown. Nice mountains, but a bit dry and rocky. My best friend lives in Denver and the place tempts me every time I visit. I also briefly dated a former Portlander (is that the right word?) a few years ago and she thought that her former town and I seemed made for each other, based on my values, interests, and quirks. One of these days I'll visit and see.

[tessler]

Ok, Josh, it's like 3 hours later and you still haven't told everyone that your final decision is that you're going to move here (though Rod had a great argument for Canada: "Canada is nice"! That's great, Rod!).

We have all four seasons, great Chinese food and movies from Finland and Uruguay. We have surly retail clerks. People treat their Blackberries like cherished family members and on the last Friday of every month, bicyclists clog up the main streets and arteries like nobody's business. We have the best Bagels and Pizza.

We have two languages, just like the U.S. except our first one is New Yawk. And the second one is American (and the remaining 25 languages relegated to the onscreen menus in our ATMs--in case you feel like some variety).

This was on the NYC Chamber of Commerce's web site: We're only FIVE HOURS from Statdawg's house!

[ultracyclist]

I may HAVE to move to the Santa Cruz area in order to suffer with you!:D

Next time I fly out to LA to visit my brother, I will take an extra few days and look the Santa Cruz area more carefully.

I want to move to the Santa Cruz area. My Cuban wife will only move to Miami.

Solution: I go west. She moves east. I will buy more motorcycles, and she she can eat her weight in Cuban crackers every day!:brow

[RandallIsland]

The Seattle-Portland area is always popular.

High-tech job opportunities, unlimited recreational opportunities, mild winters, cool summers, no humidity, no tornadoes, no hurricanes - just the occasional wind storm and earthquake out here.

Oh - and the most spectacular scenery in the lower-48. I know - you Colorado people will start screaming that Colorado has better scenery than the Pacific Northwest... Get yourself an ocean and then come talk to me :)

But our housing is expensive (everyone wants to move here). Here you can go skiing in the morning, salt water sailing in the afternoon, and out to the symphony (or see the latest incarnation of Pearl Jam perform live in their home-town) all in the same day.

Ditto.
Or did I already do that...

[AllanCook]

You're a single, 29-year-old computer geek. The sorting hat says: "Austin."

[OfficerImpersonator]

You're a single, 29-year-old computer geek. The sorting hat says: "Austin."

Austin, Texas over the Silicon Forest?

Okay - if you like humidity, bugs, tornadoes, and all the other lovely things Texas has to offer...

[jdmetzger]

Ok, Josh, it's like 3 hours later and you still haven't told everyone that your final decision is that you're going to move here (though Rod had a great argument for Canada: "Canada is nice"! That's great, Rod!).

We have all four seasons, great Chinese food and movies from Finland and Uruguay. We have surly retail clerks. People treat their Blackberries like cherished family members and on the last Friday of every month, bicyclists clog up the main streets and arteries like nobody's business. We have the best Bagels and Pizza.

We have two languages, just like the U.S. except our first one is New Yawk. And the second one is American (and the remaining 25 languages relegated to the onscreen menus in our ATMs--in case you feel like some variety).

This was on the NYC Chamber of Commerce's web site: We're only FIVE HOURS from Statdawg's house!

:)

First off, I want to thank everyone for all of the GOOD responses I've been given (please keep them coming, if you haven't yet replied!). Now my only problem is having so many choices. :)

I am indeed serious about a relocation. I COULD go expat with my current company, which would mean my choices are probably limited to Frankfurt or Nanterre (a Paris suburb). I could also just move up into Michigan and keep working for the same company, as well.

I was lucky to have a job years ago that flew me all over the country, so I was able to see a lot of things. Sadly, I was 20/21 years old, highly paid, with an expense account. This led to me seeing mostly the inside of bars as I traveled from city to city. :doh I DID occasionally get out on weekends (I worked 14 days at a time) and see different cities, and I really enjoyed Oregon (Portland), for example. I have also spent a lot of time in Canada over the years, and I always enjoy being there. People are friendly, it seems cleaner, I like their beer, and there are a number of attractive Canadian ladies. :heart

So, as for new choices, I don't mind the winter (I might miss seeing snow), but I AM a bit heat intolerant. That may rule out areas too far south unless they are near the ocean. I also tend to say that I "hate people". The real issue is I like to get away from large groups of people on occasion, so I wonder if moving to NY may turn me into a serial killer in short order. Maybe I should try a visit, first? Anyone have a spare couch? Hello? Anyone? :stick :D

I'd also like an area where there are women who are... educated. That doesn't mean "doctorate in particle physics" but that DOES mean if I say something like "I like Emerson" the response isn't "Yeah, they make good appliances!". I've dated too many morons around here, although not for long. Is it bad that there was a news article recently talking about people moving out of Toledo for this exact reason? Case in point: no luck here, but I travel to Greenville, SC for work and the first night out getting food I meet a doctor and her friend who end up touring me all around downtown... that never happens here. OK, now I'm off topic JUUUST a bit... I'm not moving just for the dating opportunities, anyhow.

Some of these suggestions are leading me to do more research on the specific areas mentioned, so everyone IS being quite helpful, which I appreciate. After some research, I'll post up where I'm moving to, who won the beer and dinner, and I'll surely be asking for help moving my stuff. :D

As for proximity to Statdawg's fortress of solitude; I'll probably be in that direction this weekend, anyhow. It's possible I can get some land and we can start a riders commune? :dunno

[jdmetzger]

You're a single, 29-year-old computer geek. The sorting hat says: "Austin."

AH-HA! The sorting hat is never wrong!

http://www.starwarsautographcollecting.com/Autographs/HarryPotter/SortingHat.jpg

[Bokrijder]

I see Kevin is having a good time!!!!


Josh

Do the X-pat thing, every location mentioned will still be there when you get back.
I spent 12 years self employed in Antwerp, Belgium, some of the best years of my life. The bike scene in Europe is superb.

Motard

[sachiwilson]

It really depends on what YOU want. Duh.

That said, I lived in Seattle for many years. It is a gorgeous and lively city with good riding nearby. Not the best IMHO but good. And it is truly a lovely city with the waterways and the flowers and trees everywhere. You must be able to handle the constant clouds in winter though. Seattleites survive by building nests and bundling up; there's a reason that book sales in Seattle are so high! Not to mention coffee . . . :)

I also love Southern CA, where I am now. Gorgeous riding, beautiful country. But it is definitely a change from the overgrown green of Seattle!

[Tarkus]

[QUOTE=jdmetzger;244477]:)


I could also just move up into Michigan and keep working for the same company, as well.

Michigan??!! Well, if you want a great deal on a house, this is the place to come. Otherwise.........Stay away! :nono

I've lived in MI since 1965 except for a 10 year stint in Manhattan, KS. (I'd move back there.) Things are going to hell in a handbasket here. The scenery's great and the UP's the best but everything else sucks.

[DarrylRi]

I may HAVE to move to the Santa Cruz area in order to suffer with you!:D

Next time I fly out to LA to visit my brother, I will take an extra few days and look the Santa Cruz area more carefully.

I want to move to the Santa Cruz area. My Cuban wife will only move to Miami.

Solution: I go west. She moves east. I will buy more motorcycles, and she she can eat her weight in Cuban crackers every day!:brow

Ooo. I notice nobody has spoken up for Miami so far. I guess it is sunny all year.

Anyway, if you show up in Santa Cruz, let me know and I'll give you a tour. Or ask Burnszilla to do that, he's been training his tolerant wife to ride all of the tiny goatpaths that we have up in the hills.

[Crow18]

Josh (and Veg)-

You can move to Portland, but you have to promise not to tell anyone how cool it really is. The moment you get on a phone to a friend and say "You totally gotta move here, dude," wham! you're in a box on a truck headed to Pahrump, Nevada.

I've seen it happen over and over again; it's some sort of city ordinance.

[sachiwilson]

Ooo. I notice nobody has spoken up for Miami so far. I guess it is sunny all year.

Except for hurricane season. And the flat terrain. And the absence of turns.

[henzilla]

Austin, Texas over the Silicon Forest?

Okay - if you like humidity, bugs, tornadoes, and all the other lovely things Texas has to offer...

Ok rainforest dude...we LOVE our humidity, bugs, tornadoes & all the other fun things...I say with a :D Plus half of the Silicon Slackers from the west now live in lofts downtown!:nyah

[BubbaZanetti]

Except for hurricane season. And the flat terrain. And the absence of turns.

and um, the fact that it's in florida:nyah

[ultracyclist]

I sent you a pm.

[lancew]

Virginia's worth a look - the Richmond area is an hour from the water, an hour from the mountains and has a short, mild winter so you can ride year-round without being too much of a whacko. I'm not a native, I grew up in VT and have lived in Charlotte NC and Atlanta before coming here for work, and other than VT this is easily my #1 choice.

Feel free to contact me if you want to come check it out.

[Crow18]

Plus half of the Silicon Slackers from the west now live in lofts downtown!:nyah

Great. Score one more point for Portland.

Seriously, Josh, if you have a viable opportunity to go work in Europe for a few years, take it. Nobody I know who has done it has regretted it.

[BobMielke]

I moved from SC last May to Beaverton, OR. It's a suberb of Portland. I was born & raised in the St. Louis area and lived 13 years in SC. I also lived 3 years in NJ. With all this having been said Portland blows them all away because"

1. Silicon Forest - high tech area with major companies like Intel,
Techtronix, IBM. Great wages result.
2. Booming Economy with a population explosion. 90% of the
population lives near 3-4 major cities. Plenty of expansion room.
3. No sales tax on anything. That's like getting a 5-6% raise right up
front.
4. Absolute best motorcycle riding on the planet. There are no
straight roads in Oregon. You can be at the Pacific Ocean in an
hour, Washington in an hour, high desert in an hour, The top of
Mt Hood in an hour or California in 3-4 hours.
5. My high electric bill in the past 16 months of living here has been
$42. You don't need air conditioning at home or your car.
Just a dusting of snow last winter with mostly rain rather than snow.

If you'd like a glimpse of what to expect check my photo collection at http://BobMielke.smugmug.com. I'm highly predjudice of my new home and averaging 3,000 miles a month taking it all in. I hope you'll be happy wherever you settle.

[RTRandy]

The only problem with Austin is it's weird and no one seems to want to do anything about it.

[hlothery]

The only problem with Austin is it's weird and no one seems to want to do anything about it.

Not to mention the traffic is crazy and the football team wears the wrong color jerseys.....:thumb ( I know this thumb is also the wrong color......)

[The_Veg]

I can't speak for Europe today, but I was stationed in Germany 1987-89. Of course I lived on an army-base and didn't deal with landlords, utilities, grocery-shopping, etc., but it was GREAT to get away from my native-culture for a little while and explore via immersion a whole different place. I went there with pre-conceptions and stereotypes, and they all got blown away and replaced with the fruits of exploration. My off-duty time was almost like an extended-vacation.
Living in another country also has a benefit that you'll never get from vacations: you get to know a place long enough that you can see how it changes with the seasons and the rhythm of life. The two years I spent in a small German town gave me an insight into life there that I would never get just visiting.
Of course living abroad is a MAJOR move in many ways, but chances are you'll always look back on it with a smile and you'll have endless stories to tell from it.

[Bob_M]

Josh (and Veg)-

You can move to Portland, but you have to promise not to tell anyone how cool it really is. The moment you get on a phone to a friend and say "You totally gotta move here, dude," wham! you're in a box on a truck headed to Pahrump, Nevada.

I've seen it happen over and over again; it's some sort of city ordinance.

I just saw a U-Haul drive by with a Nevada or bust sign posted on it. I wonder if that was Crow being escorted out of town? Crow: you still here?

KBasa is not to far off regarding the spirit crushing rainy season, but when spring breaks, and people come out of hibernation, it is a revelation.

By west coast standards Portland real estate is pretty affordable. By Ohio standards that may be a different story.

Come on up!

[mandypants]

St. Louis.

:heart

[535is]

I COULD go expat with my current company, which would mean my choices are probably limited to Frankfurt or Nanterre (a Paris suburb).

Heilige Schmidt! You could choose Frankfurt? WTF is the matter with you? Get your ass off this continent! Do it!

Just forget about France. There's a reason they lost two wars to the ultimate loser of each. :stick

[jdmetzger]

St. Louis.

:heart

Tease.

:nono

[mandypants]

Tease.

:nono

Oh whatever...it's a great city and not too far from where you are now. We have a free zoo, art museums, great coffee shops, a BMW dealership, amazing roads out about 30 miles from the Arch, and like all great cities, are very near a mighty river.

There is historic St. Charles to go play in, City Museum for the kid in us all, amazingly beautiful Missouri Botanical Gardens, Central West End full of culture, South City full of dusty old book shops, the World Champion Cardinals, great food (Italian on the Hill) and some really friendly folks!

Plus, you'd already have riding buddies here! :buds

[jdmetzger]

Oh whatever...it's a great city and not too far from where you are now. We have a free zoo, art museums, great coffee shops, a BMW dealership, amazing roads out about 30 miles from the Arch, and like all great cities, are very near a mighty river.

There is historic St. Charles to go play in, City Museum for the kid in us all, amazingly beautiful Missouri Botanical Gardens, Central West End full of culture, South City full of dusty old book shops, the World Champion Cardinals, great food (Italian on the Hill) and some really friendly folks!

Plus, you'd already have riding buddies here! :buds

Well, it IS a place I've been to on two separate occasions. I've had the opportunity to go up in the arch, check out the free zoo and museum, and even got to sample some of the local microbrew beer (Schlafly) and had one of the best steaks ever at "Top of the Riverfront". Quite a nice place, indeed.

[OfficerImpersonator]

St. Louis.

:heart

Tease.

:nono

Haven't you two gotten a room yet?

[lamble]

Frankfurt. If that's an option, then take it.
As a Brit in the US, I can't help but miss the history of europe. The scope to cover different countries within a day and thereby their cultures, both differences and similarities.
The autobahns free of speed limits. The beers, the food.
There's much to admire here in the US and I enjoy exploring. You'll no doubt find the differences that europe provides a stimulation to your everyday life.

Okay it's expensive, but you'll be being paid in euros (I assume).
You can always come back to the US later, and from europe you'll be able to see the US with a different emphasis, so your choice could be coloured by a european experience.

I'm not saying Europe is better (before any jingoists kick up a fuss) it's just different and a chance to experience it, is too good to turn down.

[einnar]

If one of your options is Frankfurt, take it.

Expand your mind and riding experience over there for a few years, and figure out where you want to live when you come back.

I miss Germany from when I was stationed there. If I could go back for more work, I would in a heartbeat.

If you choose anyplace in the US over Europe, I will question your sanity. You can move anywhere in the US anytime you want during the rest of your life. You might not get another chance at Europe.

[Crow18]

I just saw a U-Haul drive by with a Nevada or bust sign posted on it. I wonder if that was Crow being escorted out of town? Crow: you still here?

Hey Bob!

Actually, I'm in North Carolina right now, but I left on a bike and almost completely of my own free will (it's complicated; there's a bit of a ride report on its way). I'll be back in PDX shortly, and I may even do the Fungal Ride if I can swing it with what remains of my job. Long term, I'm gonna be hopping from coast to coast for the next two years.

Staying slightly on-topic, Durham, NC seems like a nice enough place, but it's not really my speed. Still, lots of people call it home and appear happy to do so. I think there are something like 470 colleges and universities within a two mile radius. The other day, I went to the airport to pick up our cats (which had been flown out for us), and found myself, in the baggage-claim area, surrounded by entire teams of women's volleyball players from three separate universities. Now as a guy whose 16th wedding anniversary is this Friday, it was merely a novel phenomenon and one that I might be better off not mentioning at dinner. But I'm thinking, for a single fellow like Josh, that might be sort of an event. I didn't think to ask any of them about Emerson, however. Sorry.

[Rapid_Roy]

.....I didn't think to ask any of them about Emerson, however. Sorry.
What about Lake, and Palmer?

[petepeterson]

You really only have 2 choices here......
You either move to Detroit or to Cleveland,,, thats it...............

[Bigrider]

Hey, USAA (insurance on steroids) in San Antonio has been looking for IT folks for awhile. They just hired my son (now he get to find his own place). Check out http://www.usaa.apply2jobs.com/default.htm if your interested.

Dave H
San Antonio, Tx

[ultracyclist]

So...
Tell us of your thoughts.
You will not find the price of therapy cheaper anywhere than this forum.

[mtfrench]

Josh,

As a single guy who is established financially, rides as BMW, and likes attractive and educated women, Miami is the place for you. My (Latina) wife and I have numerous single friends from all different cultures and 80% are women (mostly smart and pretty). She works in health care and I am a college professor. Our parties are horribly gender imballanced so come and visit and enjoy the favorable odds.:love

Although I love Miami for many reasons, I would go crazy if I had to deal with some of the negative externalities (humidity, hurricanes, traffic, no twisties) all year long. I can say the same thing about our second home in the NC mountains. So, like many places one can choose to live, having an escape destination that is dramatically different makes all the difference.:brad

Good luck with your search!

[jdmetzger]

I know I haven't responded to this thread recently; I keep getting sidetracked, one way or another. C'est la vie.

First, again, I want to thank everyone for the excellent responses and PMs that have been sent my way. I'd like to buy all of you a beer at the next rally "Forum Frenzy". There weren't a lot of people last time, so I probably won't drain my wallet. :)

This is not a decision I'm taking lightly. My initial thought was I wouldn't be moving for 6 months, but as has been mentioned to me, it might take longer. I'm going through with a list of locales and doing the "scientific" end of things. Cost of living, demographics, job availability, etc. From that point I'd like to visit the places that are on the top of my list, and go from there. I think even if a place looks good on paper, going there can be a completely different thing. It has to have the right "feel". No way to quantify that.

I've been giving a lot of thought to my current situation, and what I'm trying to accomplish. I was getting a haircut on lunch today, and the woman who does it has known me my whole life. Sort of a cool second mom. She thinks I SHOULD move, as well. I made a comment that "I have to get out of here", which led her to ask me what I'm running from. I thought about it, and I don't think I'm running FROM anything. More, I'm running TO something, although I'm not sure what. I'm searching for something. Hopefully I'll end up finding it. As many people who know me can attest, I'm generally a pretty positive guy. I had a HORRIBLE experience traveling home with my GSPD; at the time I swore I would never ride again. I can look back and sort of laugh at everything now. So I'm generally a "glass half-full" sort of person, and I don't want these next comments taken as a sign of some deep-seated depression...

Toledo has treated me well, overall. I don't HATE the place. It just feels like I'm living a sort of hollow and soulless existence. I have some amazing friends here in Toledo, and some amazing friends who are less than an hour away. Socially things are good (aside from finding that special someone - but I can wait), so that's nothing to run from. I know when I go on trips it's sort of a refuel for the soul. I imagine a lot of people get that sort of feeling, but I think mine runs a bit deeper than that. The problem is, I get home feeling refreshed, and it's nice to be home... but in short order I'm back to this general malaise. Like I'm in a fog, going through motions... living without REALLY living. I want to "live deep and suck out the marrow of life"... so to speak. I have given more than a passing thought to doing exactly what Statdawg suggests. Sell my stuff, get on my GSPD, and ride for a year or two. I know financially I'm in good shape for that. Selling my house and unloading my truck would make that a pretty easy thing. Leaving my dog for a year or two wouldn't be so easy, and honestly wouldn't be fair to her. I think some pet owners might know how I feel. In the end, I'm not sure that would help me at all; I could come back with more questions than answers. Or would I sacrifice myself for the journey - would I come back better or worse? I know truly being on the road and traveling isn't all fun and games and partying. it CAN be, but that's not the kind of trip I'd want to take. I've spoken elsewhere how I don't really agree with these "trips for glory".

I know in the last remote trip I took I went through a range of emotions over one day, and it's exhausting. Fear, elation, depression, awe, panic, anger, happiness, joy, and soul-crushing loneliness. Now sign up for a year. I'm quite certain I could do it, though. Still, I'm not sure if that's whats calling me. I try to imagine living "on the road" for that long, camping, going from safe house to safe house, etc. It would be the polar opposite of what I have done so far, for the most part. Which brings me to how I reached my current point in life.

I've been working in "corporate America" since I was 17. I was going to school and working as a data processor, moving up to programmer (of sorts), to technical support, to database programming, and then I stopped my advanced education (comp sci, at the time) to take a rather high paying job during the dot com era. I was 20, being flown all around the country; I'd be out for 14 days, home for 7, then repeat. That moved into a more normal M-F job, although I was driving or flying in and out each week. I did that for a few years, drank more than anyone ever should, and went through money like nothing. I twas good corporate experience though, and my employers liked me; I was a contract employee, and every place wanted to hire me direct. I did the responsible thing, took a local job that didn't involve travel, and had my house a month after my 22nd birthday. I didn't enjoy the "party and do whatever" college phase because I was doing IT work for one of the big 3. Maybe I missed out on some good experiences? Decisions, decisions. I don't know what I want, and maybe I never will. I'm not even sure how I got here, although generally things have gone well. I don't know why I got a motorcycle, or a BMW. I AM glad I did. It's given me the chance to meet a lot of you, see a lot of things I never would have, and ramble on aimlessly, right now. It's possible this post should be moved to the "stale and unimaginitive" thread. :)

So, a year or two of travel does go on my list. I'll rule nothing out. In the meantime, I need to pack up my bike. Centralia is calling; maybe I'll fall into a sinkhole and all of this will have been for naught. Nah; I'm not going anywhere just yet. There are still people to harass. :wave

I may now have more questions about what to do than answers, though. What did I say at the beginning of this rant? Oh yeah; c'est la vie...

[jdmetzger]

Coincidentally, I realize my last post stretched things from "where should I live" into something different, all together. I considered modifying my post, but I think I'll let it stand. I could add and remove stuff forever. I think my main problem is my mind runs at a million miles an hour, and never stops.

Anyhow, I think moving is a good beginning for making other life changes, as well. Relocation is just a start on the never-ending journey. :)

[adamceckhardt]

Don't move to Bozeman, Montana! The surrounding mountains aren't very nice to look at, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are too close, and the mountain passes just aren't any fun to ride...
I'll take a 6 pack of moose drool when you get here!

[RandallIsland]

I think my main problem is my mind runs at a million miles an hour, and never stops.

Josh,

One of my very first posts got flagged by a Lady who cautioned me to maybe not be so candid in my post content. On the one hand I agreed. Yet on the other, after reading your last long post, I also agree there is a time and space for rambling out the contents of your mind. Just remember, there are a whole lot of non-members who read campfire, and a huge bunch that while members, may also read campfire threads and not "get-it" like you think they might.

So what are your goals?

A buddy of mine suggested I get 10 each short term/long term goals down on paper. Maybe staring there would help. I'm still working on mine, amid my own racing mind.

Best,
-RSS

[jdmetzger]

Josh,

One of my very first posts got flagged by a Lady who cautioned me to maybe not be so candid in my post content. On the one hand I agreed. Yet on the other, after reading your last long post, I also agree there is a time and space for rambling out the contents of your mind. Just remember, there are a whole lot of non-members who read campfire, and a huge bunch that while members, may also read campfire threads and not "get-it" like you think they might.

So what are your goals?

A buddy of mine suggested I get 10 each short term/long term goals down on paper. Maybe staring there would help. I'm still working on mine, amid my own racing mind.

Best,
-RSS

Oh sure... nobody ever warns ME about post content! :)

I've been posting on here a while; most everyone knows I'm a nutjob, anyhow. :brad I also know campfire gets scanned by google, although in my case it's nice because searching for my name doesn't bring up my posts. Not many people who DON'T know my would search for my username. So yeah, I posted the "angst-ridden moron" thing... possibly a thread killer?

The idea of writing down some goals is a good one, and another thing I should be doing. The fog has lifted enough around here for me to get on the road. I have 450 miles to figure out what they are - should give me lots of time to think about it!

[RandallIsland]

That's the spirit! :ha
Shiny up! :thumb

[rinty]

Josh:

When I read your post #60, it seemed to me that there are probably a whole number of factors that are contributing to your discontent. As a first step, you may want to identify what they are, what gives rise to them, and some possible ways of dealing with them. You'll be turning 30 next year, so you are at an age when a lot of guys review what they have done with their lives to date. You have had a successful career, but you are looking for something more. It will probably be necessary to get impartial outsiders to help you with this, and it shouldn't be an insurmountable task.

If you don't do the analysis, you will probably just bring these factors with you into your new location, or during your travels, with the result being no net change in your unhappiness.

I remember that the transition to turning 30 was not an easy one.

Good luck.:)

Rinty

[hlothery]

Josh:



I remember that the transition to turning 30 was not an easy one.

Good luck.:)

Rinty

I wish I could to it again............:brad

[robsryder]

... I know when I go on trips it's sort of a refuel for the soul. I imagine a lot of people get that sort of feeling, but I think mine runs a bit deeper than that. The problem is, I get home feeling refreshed, and it's nice to be home... but in short order I'm back to this general malaise. Like I'm in a fog, going through motions... living without REALLY living. ...

Maybe you could modify your work / travel schedule a bit. Work for a while (weeks, months, whatever) until you get that wandering feeling. Then load up and head out. Go for a week or a month (or whatever).

The adventures will happen when things don't always go well. Come back (write up the trip - with pictures!) and contemplate your journey (past, present, and future).

When the blues set in, repeat.

Every 45k miles replace the driveshaft on your PD.

[The_Veg]

I see from your profile that you're 29...a very common age for what you're pondering, and the age at which I moved from Alabama to TexSux. The interesting thing is that it's not just at approximately 29 that many people go through major makeovers of their lives- they often do it about EVERY 29 years. Astrologers will tell you that 29 years is how long it takes Saturn to orbit the sun, and that Saturn has some influence in life-planning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology#Saturn).
Other thinkers have published 'jumping mouse' stuff theorising about why 29-year-olds are so likely to redesign their lives, but in ten minutes of Googling I can't find it.
Anyway, sounds like you've got some good stuff to work with about all the questions you're asking yourself, and don't be afraid to ask yourself endless more. This is exciting stuff! :thumb

[Pat Carol]

Alpena, Michigan isn't too bad. There are a lot of elderly people driving big Buick's and Cadillac's. They keep me in good form when I ride my motorcycle. It is not as bad as Florida.
The taxes are low and the housing prices are great. I have 41 acres and a 3 br 4 bath home. Cathedral ceilings in the dine rm. and liv. room. My property tax is a little over $2200.00 a year. I paid 205k for the place.
The only thing that hurts is riding season can be stopped quite early but, that is why God created the snowmobile. I am on great riding roads as soon as I ride out of the driveway. The U.P. is 90 miles away.
If you have kid's it is also a great place to raise a family.

Good Luck!
PC

[RandallIsland]

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology#Saturn).
This is exciting stuff! :thumb

Astrologically modern Western astrologers associate the planet Neptune with idealism and compassion, but also with illusion, confusion and deception; with religions, spirituality and mysticism, the mass media, creativity in art and music, drugs, extreme sensitivity, fantasy and imagination, psychic phenomena and altered mental states. Neptune governs hospitals, prisons, mental institutions, and any place, such as a monastery, that involves a retreat from society.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1182453_1

I never gave much weight to astrology...
...until tonight.

[BradfordBenn]

The only thing that hurts is riding season can be stopped quite early but, that is why God created the snowmobile. I am on great riding roads as soon as I ride out of the driveway. The U.P. is 90 miles away.
If you have kid's it is also a great place to raise a family.

Good Luck!
PC

Close, that is why the Rounders were created. The riding season never ends!

[Crow18]

Astrologically modern Western astrologers associate the planet Neptune with idealism and compassion, but also with illusion, confusion and deception; with religions, spirituality and mysticism, the mass media, creativity in art and music, drugs, extreme sensitivity, fantasy and imagination, psychic phenomena and altered mental states. Neptune governs hospitals, prisons, mental institutions, and any place, such as a monastery, that involves a retreat from society.

But since Neptune's gravity is a bit more than that of Earth, you will go through tires quicker.

[lancew]

Astrologically modern Western astrologers associate the planet Neptune with idealism and compassion, but also with illusion, confusion and deception; with religions, spirituality and mysticism, the mass media, creativity in art and music, drugs, extreme sensitivity, fantasy and imagination, psychic phenomena and altered mental states. Neptune governs hospitals, prisons, mental institutions, and any place, such as a monastery, that involves a retreat from society.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1182453_1

I never gave much weight to astrology...
...until tonight.


Is that Neptune? It looks more like Uranus!:evil :ha

(sorry, somebody had to say it)



*on edit the above comment is not meant to be an insult, affront, or source of negative feelings to any member,, poster, reader, or innocent bystander- I just (correctly or incorrectly) thought it would be funny and couldn't help myself... "Uranus", get it? ... I apologize in advance... blame my therapist, Dr. Samuel Adams...

[RandallIsland]

...the above comment is not meant to be an insult, affront, or source of negative feelings to any member,, poster, reader, or innocent bystander

I think many would agree this should be included in my signature.

[lancew]

All funny stuff aside... don't worry about it. Follow your muse.

There are bazillions of people out there living in the your perfect place who are absolutely miserable.

There are also bazillions of people out there living in places you might hate who are completely happy.

Go somewhere. Go anywhere. Or stay home. The thing that's important is the "you" that you take with you. Go see, then figure out if you want to stay there or go somewhere else.

Go to Europe. Go West. Go be an Ice Road Trucker. Go to Dakar. Go to the little town next to you that you maybe have never really paid attention to. Whatever.

When the right place comes along you'll know it. Or maybe you won't- you might have to pull a 180 and go back. Or maybe wish you had. Whatever.

The point is don't put a bunch of stress on yourself right now to hit the bull's-eye with your first arrow. If you ask a thousand 40-year-olds if they're exactly where they thought they'd be when they were 29, I bet a lot of them would look at you like you were nuts. It just doesn't work that way.

Quit worrying about it and go have some fun.

[lamble]

Read, 'The Art of Travel', by Alain du Button.
It may answer all of your questions.
I carried it with me when I rode across the USA, having relocated from England. It will help answer why you feel the need to travel and how you can appreciate what you see along the journey. It's the details.
If it doen't answer all your questions, it should at least raise some additional ones to ponder and in part that's why you take a journey, to discover and to question.

Take the biggest challenge you can.

[Czarnazoo]

[QUOTE=jdmetzger;245560]
... but in short order I'm back to this general malaise. Like I'm in a fog, going through motions... living without REALLY living. I want to "live deep and suck out the marrow of life"... so to speak.


jd - I felt the same way at 25 years old. had a great job - so did my girlfriend. We both had a passion for travel and adventure and knew there was something more out there for us. Going to work - buying toys - waiting for weekends - and all the other normal things that you do in your 20's wasn't enough. Then...I lost my home in Hurricane Bertha while living in North Carolina and some of my most cherished possessions...like photos albums and family heirlooms. Humbling. I then moved into my girlfriends apartment on the beach and 40 days or so later after Bertha - Hurricane Fran took the rest of our belongings. I loved living in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and still the hurricanes didn't bother me. But...we felt that life was passing us by. So - one day I went out and bought a sailboat...didn't know how to sail but that was just a formality, right. Also bought a plane before I knew how to fly..that's another story. We gave ourselves one year to wrap things up and off we went...destination...SOUTHEAST. Schedule...one year. All of our family and friends thought we were crazy. Sailed from North Carolina to Grenada - over the course of 10 months and then on our way back through the Bahamas we were given an offer we could not refuse - called our friends and family and said - come visit our new home - we're staying and ended up residing there for eight years...building a business entirely different from my intended path. At 36 & 37 - my wife and I are now in the resort/real estate business and are happier than ever. After seeing how life can change so quickly and how much is out there...all of our choices now are based on quality of life issues first...money second.

Taking off for a year was the best adventure - it really put life in perspective for us. The challenges of sailing in your home - weather - maintenance - working as a team - combined with all the fun you can handle and having no schedule...We can't wait to do it again.

If you have the urge to take off for a bit - do it and don't look back...no matter what vehicle you choose. If you have a talent and are good at what you do - work will be there when you get back or you can always find some on the way.

[jdmetzger]

It's nice leaving for a long weekend vacation and coming back to more good advice from everyone. OK; I read a lot of it while I was gone, but I wasn't ready to reply.

I DID have a lot of time to think as I rode the 450 miles to the Statdawg Fortress of Solitude / GS Riding School, and then the same distance home. :wave

I find the astrology link interesting, though I never really gave astrology much thought. Now I'm thinking about giving Miss. Cleo a call for my free reading. I wonder if she's been released from jail yet? It's possible she's not the best person since she couldn't predict her pending arrest. :lol

OK, back to serious things. I think a good point has been made that I may indeed not hit the bullseye on my first try. It's quite possible I'm still being too analytical about everything, which is something I've always done... to the extreme. People seem to be suggesting I should go with a "gut feeling", more than anything else. So, although I still think SOME thought should go into it, maybe I don't need the wall-sized charts and graphs, and twenty seven eight-by-ten color glossy photographs with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one is.

I'm also going to pick up a copy of "The Art Of Travel" because it sounds interesting, and I need a new book to read. I'll also take that with me as I travel around looking at places to live. The riding season will soon draw to a close, but I have a perfectly capable, low-mileage (wonder how THAT happened?) pickup that can take me anywhere I want to go. So, I have a few vacation days left; which gives me time to take long weekend trips to a few places that might be nice to live in. Who knows, I might be coming to a city near you. :)

[RebeccaV]

Josh, I have been following this thread with interest because a lot of what you have said here I have felt myself. I have a couple of thoughts for you.

Stop over-analyzing and listen to yourself deep down - you probably already know what is best for you. When I analyze something to death, sometimes it's because making a decision is scary and feels like a risk. I also over-analyze because I want to be SURE - I am looking for some evidence or assurance that I am making the right decision.

Moving is risky and no matter how much research you do, a new city and your experience of living there will probably be a bit different than you thought that it would be. However, in my experience, some of the biggest risks also have some of the biggest rewards. No pain, no gain, ya know??

I love the title of this thread - you just say it straight up: "Where should I live?" Have you been to some of the websites where you can answer a long quiz and the site tells you which cities would be ideal for you? The answer to your question is not easy, although asking here and the city-search sites are good research. It's like asking everyone at a rally what the best motorcycle for me is. Everyone will have a suggestion, but I know myself and my riding style and what I can afford better than anyone.

Are you still with me? I seem to be writing novella. :) If I were approaching moving, I might consider picking five cities that I liked the climate, job market, cost of living and motorcycle riding nearby. Then I would visit them to get the feel of the city. Of course it will be different living there as opposed to just visiting, but it will help. Then I would start applying to jobs in the cities and see where that takes me.

In any case I wish you the absolute best.

Rebecca

[sjbmw]

As long as you have 2 things:

a) Your health, and
b) the bucks in the bank to cover your a$$, there is no real risk.

Maybe some imagined, but none real.

[Montana]

Don't move to Bozeman, Montana! The surrounding mountains aren't very nice to look at, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are too close, and the mountain passes just aren't any fun to ride...
I'll take a 6 pack of moose drool when you get here!
I agree. Of course, Bozeman is more high tech than Missoula. We're too close to the National Parks, too; you'll hate our twisties and scenic riding. The economics of MT suck, though, there's just no excuse for these kind of overhead costs.

We checked into Reno a couple of years ago. I'd like to live pretty much anywhere near there. The tax situation in Nevada is great. You can ride desert or Tahoe and to work most of the year there. Then again, it's more than 5 times the size of Missoula. But that could be an asset.

Nothing is forever. Try anywhere for a few years. Then move on. I thought I'd come to Montana and run my seld dog team for ten years. No dogs any more, but I've been here 30 years now.

[jdmetzger]

Josh, I have been following this thread with interest because a lot of what you have said here I have felt myself. I have a couple of thoughts for you.

Stop over-analyzing and listen to yourself deep down - you probably already know what is best for you. When I analyze something to death, sometimes it's because making a decision is scary and feels like a risk. I also over-analyze because I want to be SURE - I am looking for some evidence or assurance that I am making the right decision.

Moving is risky and no matter how much research you do, a new city and your experience of living there will probably be a bit different than you thought that it would be. However, in my experience, some of the biggest risks also have some of the biggest rewards. No pain, no gain, ya know??

I love the title of this thread - you just say it straight up: "Where should I live?" Have you been to some of the websites where you can answer a long quiz and the site tells you which cities would be ideal for you? The answer to your question is not easy, although asking here and the city-search sites are good research. It's like asking everyone at a rally what the best motorcycle for me is. Everyone will have a suggestion, but I know myself and my riding style and what I can afford better than anyone.

Are you still with me? I seem to be writing novella. :) If I were approaching moving, I might consider picking five cities that I liked the climate, job market, cost of living and motorcycle riding nearby. Then I would visit them to get the feel of the city. Of course it will be different living there as opposed to just visiting, but it will help. Then I would start applying to jobs in the cities and see where that takes me.

In any case I wish you the absolute best.

Rebecca

I've been rather impressed with the responses to this thread, overall. I expected a few posts, and then the whole thing dieing out over the course of a few days. Instead I get these great responses. I see it as a good thing; other people have been in the same place (misery loves company?) so I'm getting some real-world examples of what other people have done.

In the end, you're totally correct; there IS a lot of risk moving, and I'm pretty much done with my analysis. I hadn't seen any of the websites that quiz you and give you suggestions as to where I could live, so I went looking for one. I was happy the results didn't come back with Toledo on the top of the list. Still, I got:

Cincinnati, Indy, Springfield (MO), Bloomington (IN), Cleveland, Topeka, Grand Rapids (MI), St. Louis.. and so on.

I think this reinforces "can't do this scientifically", because I'm SURE I don't want to live in Cincinnati, Indy, Bloomington, or Topeka. As for Grand Rapids, it's probably an OK city, but I'm not big on the state it's in. I could go either way on the other few...

I guess it was the same when I was shopping for my first bike. I researched, researched, researched... in the end, I saw my R80 and knew even before I asked any questions, sat on it, or heard it run, that it was the bike for me. I think this may work out the same way. I'm not sure I'm getting closer to an answer... but I'm getting more excited about moving SOMEWHERE. :wave

[RebeccaV]

.................<snipped>
I guess it was the same when I was shopping for my first bike. I researched, researched, researched... in the end, I saw my R80 and knew even before I asked any questions, sat on it, or heard it run, that it was the bike for me. I think this may work out the same way. I'm not sure I'm getting closer to an answer... but I'm getting more excited about moving SOMEWHERE. :wave
LOVE the bike comparison. Thanks for sharing this part of your journey with us and letting us in on your process!! :wave

[rinty]

Josh:

The nice thing about your situation is that you have more freedom of action available to you than most people: you are young, you have no dependents, your job is portable, you're living in a G 8 country where you can make a decent living, and you have resources available to you. So making a change will be easier for you than for most others.

One of the most challenging things to do in the process that you're going through now is to try to back track to the reasons for what your instincts are telling you.

Rinty