Relocating for a happier life

[elastica]

Hello Loveshackers,

 

Not sure if I should post this here or the Professional Relationship & Business forums, but as I am looking for a lifestyle advice rather than a career related advice, here we go.

 

In the last couple of months I have been thinking about leaving the hustle and bustle of the Big City behind and relocating to a 'small town' (of half a million). Actually I have been thinking about moving away for at least 2 years, but have only now found the place I feel I genuinely like.

 

I realize the Big City has not given me much. I have moved here 7 years ago and started from the very bottom, worked my way up and I would say now I have a job that pays my rent and bills, and most importantly, a job I like and enjoy.

 

The reality is however, I can barely save up and when I do, I spend all these savings on family visits or unexpected medical or car expenses, I live in rented accommodation that I share with a friend and I simply know I will never be able to buy a property here on my own. I don't like the neighborhood I live in and honestly cannot afford to go out very often, so what is the point of living in a city that offers much but I cannot enjoy it, right?

 

Add to this a failed relationship that pretty much ruined me a few years ago. Yes, I have been dating a bit but stayed single for some time. Have a few old friends here but the truth is, we see each other two-three times a year. Yes, what is the point of lying to myself, and pretending these relationships are important? The people are important but I will still be able to see them a few times a year.

 

Long story short. I know in my heart what I want. I want to be able to afford a little house with a garden and I know at the new place the property market will allow me to do this. I know the quality of life will change for better, I will feel settled down and as long as I get a similar position to what I do now I will manage my finances better. At the same time I understand I might not have a job I like as much as I enjoy my position now, I know I might have problems at the new work place and end up not liking the people or the environment, but I simply want to 'work to live' not 'live to work', and keeping this is mind I think I will manage if these workplace issues come up.

 

So my question is, is it worth it? Has anyone relocated for similar reasons? Any regrets? Thanks for reading.

[d0nnivain]

Although moving is expensive look at it this way, it's not permanent. If what you get when you move doesn't work out, you make another course correction & move on.

 

 

Best wishes

[Penguin_hugs]

Go for it you seem to have a plan in your head and as someone told me just today- you have to live in a way that makes YOU happy. And if moving does that for you than try it! You can always move somewhere else too

 

I'm currently contemplating something similar. I have the opportunity to move across my country in 6 months and I just don't know where to say. And I'm considering after that moving abroad- even if I don't work in my current profession. Being happy and in a nice environment is starting to be more important to me than working

[Buddhist]

I've relocated several times between the country and the city in the past 10yrs. As beautiful as smaller town life seems somehow I always end up moving back to the city within a couple of years.

 

I made these moves between the ages of 30 and 40, so prime house buying age group. But I never bought a house either even though that was the primary reason for the move. I never enjoyed living in these places enough to want to put down roots there.

 

I lived in smaller regional centres ranging from pop 5,000 to 1 mill and the thing that always killed it for me was the mental mindset of the residents and inconvenience of the lack of services.

 

But do it anyway. Everyones different but you'll never know until you go.

[preraph]

I think it sounds like a great idea. If you want your life to change, you change it, and moving is a really great all-in-one way of doing that. I have rarely heard anyone bemoan moving on their own -- only those moving to be with someone who didn't work out have had regrets that I know. If nothing else, it will give you perspective. And if you're going to move, pick a town with a lower cost of living to at least give you that. And once you're settled with that yard, buy a dog door and get a dog.