[Philtesting]

Living behind the Iron Curtain here in New York, I get that a lot — the question, “Why don’t you just move?”

People don’t seem to realize that, while moving is never impossible, there are other considerations, specifically when you don’t control the actions of other people.

To leave this state and go to, say, Texas (which I could have done years ago), I’d have to leave…

– All my friends

– All my family

– Elderly relatives whom I help care for

Now, most of us would also be leaving jobs. In my case I had a job that would have been doable in Texas, sure, but not everyone has that option.

It isn’t easy to just leave everything and everyone you know and isolate yourself in an unfamiliar state. Yes, people do it… but let’s not talk like it’s super easy, because there are a LOT of variables to be considered.

Just thinking out loud. What are your thoughts?

Discussion

[Jeff]

Actually work for the state, have 5.5 yrs left before I hit minimum retirement age for time at job. I could get same type job in other states, but pay would be less then half of what I make now, and foolish to throw all them years away for no pension. Besides wife works too, has her own business of 22 years, hard to relocate and restart from ground up. Not to mention kids would have to relocate to New schools, and we know how hard it is these days for kids to make new ” good” friends. It’s not that simple.

[TJ]

With extended family commitments sounds like moving isn’t an option. Also given the uncertain times there is something to be said for being in a place, even if it is less than ideal, where you have family friends and other connections. You wouldn’t want to be the new face in town with no support circle if things suddenly fell apart.

I grew up mostly living in one place. But in my mid 20s and 30s I did a lot of travel and seasonal work around the country. I can’t count how many times I moved in that period. It’s not so hard if you don’t mind a little uncertainty and have a job that connects you with a lot of interesting people in your new place. Though now I have settled in a new location and being away from extended family can be difficult at times.

[Author]

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