DH and I talk about moving a LOT because of the price of things here, we just can't afford the $9000 a year in taxes and the craziness of New Jersey. BUT I can't ever see myself leaving here?

My family originally founded the area and there is so much history here for my kids to learn and see. Our entire family lives here except for my Mom and sister who live in Maine. I LIKE having people wave and stop to talk to us at the bus stop and I like running into people I know at the store and I like having a whole load of friends to call and have play dates with. I just can't see moving comewhere were I don't know anyone? Is this normal?

Does anyone else have roots that have grown as deep as mine?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

I am 28 and lived all but 5 months in one town
It is nice to know everyone in a way
Suzanne

My husband and I have both lived in San Jose, CA all our lives. I went to the same High School as my parents and all of our kids were born in the same Hospital I was.

I used to be very open to moving someplace cheaper, less crowded, and new to us. However, we are very spoiled by the mild weather here. And, since we have moved to a wonderful neighborhood, I have no desire to move someplace else.

I am fortunate to be able to stay at home in such an expensive area. The only downside is that most of the new friends I make in this area are very transitory....they move here, rent a house and live for 6 months to a year and then, just as they are thinking about buying into this real estate market, within 1 to 2 months, they have packed up and moved back home, or to another state that is cheaper.

I think all your NJ neighbors have moved to Virginia Beach *L* Over the past 5 yrs we have seen a huge in flux of Northern East Coasters head this way.....in 1997 a 4/2.5 townhouse sold for $67K, in 2004, sold for $140K , in 2007 sold for $200K. High real estate prices and taxes have sent a lot of people down this way. Of course when you are used to paying $600K for a house small than this in NYC/NJ, the real estate here seems cheap. However for us being military, we moved 60 miles of the area where we could afford to buy a home. We did well, big huge house, nice yard, small city, 1/2 the taxes, however compared to what you are paying in NJ, you should be living in a million dollar house out here. I forgot to mentioned we are military transplants, originally from beautiful Oly WA. Eastern VA is a huge change, and we lived away from our family for 19 yrs now. You get used to it, and it is really wonderful being away from all the daily family issues, gossip and conflict. Oh and people send you money at holiday times cause they really don't know what you want...downside is it is difficult to get home fast in an emergency.

Both DH and I lived in the town that we grew up in for most of our lives. 4 years ago, we moved away and it has been very good for us and our kids. We can finally feel 'grown up'. The school system is much better here and there is more to do. DH loves his job here. It was getting difficult living so close to *family issues, gossip and conflict* (that shamrock mentioned!). No more of that! The first couple of years were challenging but all of us have now made a handful of close friends and we've adjusted just fine. Trips home are a few times a year and others come visit us. So much better in so many ways. No regrets!

I have lived in the same house my entire life. When I got married my parents wanted to move I made my DH buy the house. I would be so afraid to move. My roots are too deep here I love everything about my neighborhood and the schools.

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cmemaloy@yahoo.com


I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

Life! is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.

Sorry I am the family rolling stone. I am so ready to move away (again) but I promised my dad to stay home when he helped me come home the last time and I'm stuck.

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Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

Well, lets see, my parents both moved to South Fla when they were children. Both my sister and I were born here and I'm still in the area. I love South Florida, and even with the hurricanes, don't think I could live anywhere else.

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This space for rent

Another rolling stone here...
born in California, live there for 3 years,
moved to Texas (north east corner) for 12/13 years (note longest stint in one spot),
California for 3 more years (trend there!),
Utah bouncing back and forth to Missouri during breaks and once to Florida for a summer for 5 years back and forth, back and forth,
Las Vegas for 5 years (7 yes, SEVEN different locations there, 2 years in a condo in the end)
Italy (married to military at that point) 4 years
Utah 4 years
Now in Central Georgia for 5 and dh is retired, so maybe, just maybe this is it? I hope not... I have itchy feet!

Born and raised in VA. When I got married, I only moved NEXT door. I can walk to all of my families homes. My husband was born and raised less than a mile away from us, so his move wasn't far either, lol. And with that being said, I can even walk to the in'laws. I have been on the same street in the same town for 34 years. - - - My new step-father says, boy the gene pool round there is slim, huh? He says that because me and my hubby grew up living so close together, lol.

I have mixed feelings about this topic though. I used to not be able to imagine living in any other area. But now that I am getting older, I am starting to feel like we are limited. Yes, the cost of living is great here, but the jobs are not. You wouldn'nt believe what is considered high income here. And now that I have my own family, I find myself wanting more for them. And it seems the only way we'll achieve that is to move. Although, I think in my heart of hearts, I doubt we'll ever leave.

I am glad to see that others are just as 'rooted' as I am. But it is also good to see that others prove that moving away is do-able without regret.

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email is moserlara@yahoo.com

Yep I have lived in Rochester NY my whole life as has my husband. We live a block from his childhood home. His Dad was born and raised in this area as was his Dad and his Dad and his Dad...they were one of the founding families of this area.

My parents are here, but moved from the mid-west when they got married 51 years ago. All of our siblings are in the area too.

Family has lived in jacksonville Fl. for 4 generations now......before that they were in folkston GA. (mine) and Bradenton Fl (DH)

Having said that Jacksonville is 800 thats right 800 square miles!!! Its huge! You can live in the same town but not in the same place. know what i'm saying!!!

Born and raised on this Island and moved for a total of 1 year out of my 38 years.....to Virginia Beach...lol. Never again. I love our small Island feel, being able to know everyone, low low low crime rate, the schools are better, the only negative thing I have about this Island is there's nothing to do for the kids....they have to travel to Virginia Beach to do anything and there goes alot of money, but we'll survive And one peeve......the new ones that come on the Island thinking they been here all their lives and they can take control...that hits hard for all us locals, but I try to smile and be friendly b/c that's the Island way

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Proud Single Mother to 18 year old Twins Ashley/Davey, 14 year old Shawna, 5 year old Emma, and my Boo Bear, "Angel Hope" (1996-1997) RIP Boo.

Let's see --I grew up in Nashville, TN and lived in the same house for 18 years, moved an hour away for college but ended up moving back home for my last year of school. I married into the military and am now prepping to move into our 12th house in 16 years. We are moving back to Nashville (of all places). I have to say that I am thrilled to be going home, but a little scared that I will never want to leave again.

Born in Michigan and lived there until I was about 34, I think, and DH got a job in Ohio.
Lived in Ohio for about 2 years.
Moved to Kentucky for DH's job and have been here for 27 years.
Want to move closer to my kids/grandkids, but would still be in KY.
We still go back to Michigan to visit friends and family.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

DH & I always laugh about this... Since I turned 18, I have never lived long enough in one county, to be able to qualify for jury duty. By the time they call my name to serve, I have moved. In the past 20 years, I have lived in 11 different places. Sometimes, the same state, but different counties. Perhaps, this time will be more permanent.

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~LOL~
ladyoleisure@lycos.com

Your heart understands what your head cannot yet conceive; trust your heart..

Besides the time I was away at college, I've lived in the same town all my life. DH is also from the same town although he lived on the west coast 3 years before coming back east. It's odd now that my son is starting school at the same school we went to! I'd love to move away...sometimes I feel like I'm limiting myself living in this area all my life but the cost of living is good here and all our families are here. Looks like we're here for the long haul!

I know exactly what you mean. Before I met and married DH, I thought where I grew up "hung the moon". WEll, I am SO glad I moved from there, even if I wind up back there, which I don't forsee happening. It's nice to move around, you get to see how different areas are, and how the people are. I think it really shapes you as a person, too. It's important to have "roots", but, you also have to have a roof over your head that you can afford. Taxes in NJ are very high, tho.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

let's see: i was born and raised in a very small town in northwestern France.now I am in Mobile Alabama....
I also lived in Ontario,and connecticut... .....
dh is from ohio,and we met in connecticut.he worked in louisiana and Florida..

I have basically lived in the same area my whole life. I studied abroad for one year and lived in Zurich, Switzerland and LOVED it! I also went away to college for awhile, but eventually came back I wouldn't mind moving at all (I don't get homesick), but DH says he is a "townie". I would love to move away while we are young, and later come back to settle down. We live in a good area - good schools, good jobs, fair cost of living.

Didn't I see recently where you folks are due for some tax relief? Will it be a sizable amount? Enough to make it easier on you?

I sure hope so. Another 'Jersey Girl' here... another $9,000 in taxes. I too live within just a few miles from every family member I have. We were all born here and will probably stay here.

I was born and lived in SE Michigan for 29 years before DH was transferred to the Atlanta area. DH was born and grew up in SE Michigan too, about 20 miles from me, but we never met until college.
Now we live in a suburb of Atlanta and wonder why it took us so long to move out of Michigan. We love Atlanta and never want to move from here!

Sarah...mom to Jason & Devin

I have lived in the same city since 69, lived in the same part of the city since 76. I bought a house 6 blocks from my parents 14 years ago. I did live in a few other parts of town but that was it. I could never leave and love love love the area I live in. I am 7 blocks off the ocean, 6 blocks from my parents and about 20 minutes away from my only sibling.

My dh and I often joke about selling our house and paying cash for a place out in the middle of nowhere and having lots of cash leftover. While it might sound like a good idea, no way. I am here for the long haul.