I think personality has a lot to do with it.You, Annabel, have a wonderfully outgoing personality. I no longer do. I'm not a joiner; the volunteering I did with a few orgs was rewarding, but in the end, none of the friends I made were long-term (and I was vilified by both groups, so there was lots of betrayal). For me, it's almost impossible to meet new friends. I am a hermit with my dogs and lots of acquaintances. The thought of moving, for me, is not workable.
I have been preparing for my move for over a year. I subscribe to my destination paper and listen to the radio stations online. And I am ready to do all the things noted by Gale in her comment. I also have scoped out dog parks and my gorgeous pup is a magnet.
But I am, as noted, outgoing. And I have no ties to hold me, save the ones I create and allow.
If I were a strong introvert it would make things much harder. And if I had kids and grandkids I would be pulled towards them. If they lived away from me that would determine where I would go. And if they lived close to me I would not move even if part of me wanted to, or if conditions were difficult.
In the end this is one of the biggest and most personal decisions in a lifetime.
My parents owned a ski lodge in “Mt. Washington Valley” in NH from the time I was 3 until I was in Jr. High. I know that land, the woods, rivers, lakes, mountains . . . I camped, hiked, biked, skied, partied, made love. They are a part of me. When I was 24 I moved to Vermont with my ex and his sister. We had no problem meeting people. We were young, and then we were pregnant, and we were back to the land hippies. Bread and Puppet and Goddard College called us there. I lived there for 25 years, and started my activist work in the world. Created a non profit, organized events, wrote books, traveled as part of coalitions, to speak at events, etc. Then my father had a stroke and my sister, disabled in a car accident the same year my youngest was born, 1981, can’t live alone. So along with my youngest, then in 8th grade, I moved to Fryeburg, ME to the family house to live with MJ. Though it was Maine, Fryeburg is just over the NH state line, so basically this was going back home to where I grew up. I lived there until 2018, when we sold the house and moved to NY state to live nearer my kids and grandkids. It has been very difficult. Of course Covid came soon. But still.The only people I knew until a few months ago were my kids and their friends. The area I live in - about 20 minutes west of Albany, is economically depressed, a collection of small towns now basically bedroom communities for a few larger cities about a half hour away via highways. Also the land here is very different than where I grew up. I’m not just talking about how it looks but the soil, rocks, minerals, and the water. It’s amazing what a difference this makes to our physical bodies. I was shocked. When I’m “home” or even in part of the NY Adirondacks, the rocks are granite and quartz. The soil is sandy. The water is crystal clear. Here the soil is clay, shale, slate. It’s heavy, dark, and muddy when wet. You need a pick ax to start a garden. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s Earth here. And she is beautiful. But for me, energetically, when I’m “home” I feel more alive, my aches and pains are less, I have more energy. I don’t know if I would have noticed this when I was younger. I doubt it. But at 72, with arthritis, I absolutely notice.
Good Morning Annabel, I'm not sure if you are reticent about answering me but I have sent you several messages about our connection from the past . Have you not seen them ? Does it disturb you ? I would really like to communicate w/you and would appreciate it if you could clarify wether or not the non response is due to not seeing my inquiries or if you don't wish to hear from me . Be Well
Ok ! I live in Western Ma. now...don't know if you are relocating this far east ,but I'm retired and my schedule is very flexible....would entertain driving to visit if you wind up within a cpl of hundred miles....just sayin....Anyhoo I can provide some details of our chance meeting so long ago if you want......Peace..Out......................Yours, Druid Errant , OwlWing StarStone
I did this when I was 19. I left my home state and sort of created a new family in another town. Doing this today seems like it would be incredibly daunting, but I know I can do it if I absolutely have to. That's a good feeling to have.
Join in with community projects:
• planting vegetable, fruit, flower gardens
• clean ups
•.Town Halls
• join with others who share your interests
• attend places of worship and help out
• go to community events and chat
• if you notice someone who needs help ~
help them
• see a need that fits your skills ~take it on
• feel and respond from the parts of you that are glad to be there
❤️
I think personality has a lot to do with it.You, Annabel, have a wonderfully outgoing personality. I no longer do. I'm not a joiner; the volunteering I did with a few orgs was rewarding, but in the end, none of the friends I made were long-term (and I was vilified by both groups, so there was lots of betrayal). For me, it's almost impossible to meet new friends. I am a hermit with my dogs and lots of acquaintances. The thought of moving, for me, is not workable.
I have been preparing for my move for over a year. I subscribe to my destination paper and listen to the radio stations online. And I am ready to do all the things noted by Gale in her comment. I also have scoped out dog parks and my gorgeous pup is a magnet.
But I am, as noted, outgoing. And I have no ties to hold me, save the ones I create and allow.
If I were a strong introvert it would make things much harder. And if I had kids and grandkids I would be pulled towards them. If they lived away from me that would determine where I would go. And if they lived close to me I would not move even if part of me wanted to, or if conditions were difficult.
In the end this is one of the biggest and most personal decisions in a lifetime.
My parents owned a ski lodge in “Mt. Washington Valley” in NH from the time I was 3 until I was in Jr. High. I know that land, the woods, rivers, lakes, mountains . . . I camped, hiked, biked, skied, partied, made love. They are a part of me. When I was 24 I moved to Vermont with my ex and his sister. We had no problem meeting people. We were young, and then we were pregnant, and we were back to the land hippies. Bread and Puppet and Goddard College called us there. I lived there for 25 years, and started my activist work in the world. Created a non profit, organized events, wrote books, traveled as part of coalitions, to speak at events, etc. Then my father had a stroke and my sister, disabled in a car accident the same year my youngest was born, 1981, can’t live alone. So along with my youngest, then in 8th grade, I moved to Fryeburg, ME to the family house to live with MJ. Though it was Maine, Fryeburg is just over the NH state line, so basically this was going back home to where I grew up. I lived there until 2018, when we sold the house and moved to NY state to live nearer my kids and grandkids. It has been very difficult. Of course Covid came soon. But still.The only people I knew until a few months ago were my kids and their friends. The area I live in - about 20 minutes west of Albany, is economically depressed, a collection of small towns now basically bedroom communities for a few larger cities about a half hour away via highways. Also the land here is very different than where I grew up. I’m not just talking about how it looks but the soil, rocks, minerals, and the water. It’s amazing what a difference this makes to our physical bodies. I was shocked. When I’m “home” or even in part of the NY Adirondacks, the rocks are granite and quartz. The soil is sandy. The water is crystal clear. Here the soil is clay, shale, slate. It’s heavy, dark, and muddy when wet. You need a pick ax to start a garden. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s Earth here. And she is beautiful. But for me, energetically, when I’m “home” I feel more alive, my aches and pains are less, I have more energy. I don’t know if I would have noticed this when I was younger. I doubt it. But at 72, with arthritis, I absolutely notice.
I am very interested in learning more about how this story finds a conclusion. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Good Morning Annabel, I'm not sure if you are reticent about answering me but I have sent you several messages about our connection from the past . Have you not seen them ? Does it disturb you ? I would really like to communicate w/you and would appreciate it if you could clarify wether or not the non response is due to not seeing my inquiries or if you don't wish to hear from me . Be Well
Didn’t see yet, but will look…
I am packing up for the 1800 mile trip back east. But I do have to take a break occasionally.
Ok ! I live in Western Ma. now...don't know if you are relocating this far east ,but I'm retired and my schedule is very flexible....would entertain driving to visit if you wind up within a cpl of hundred miles....just sayin....Anyhoo I can provide some details of our chance meeting so long ago if you want......Peace..Out......................Yours, Druid Errant , OwlWing StarStone
I did this when I was 19. I left my home state and sort of created a new family in another town. Doing this today seems like it would be incredibly daunting, but I know I can do it if I absolutely have to. That's a good feeling to have.