Our top four choices are Tucson, Portland (Maine), Oklahoma City and Omaha. I never would have guessed that I'd want to live in Oklahoma or Nebraska but from what we've seen, they seem like great, family-friendly places. I'm not the kind of person who looks for change--I'm happiest when I'm familiar and comfortable. But when Birch showed us pictures from the cities he visited and described what it could be like to live somewhere new, I got the "grass is greener" fever.
We'll turn in our list in a few weeks and hear where we match on March 17--Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Any thoughts on moving away from family? I'm sure the pros and cons are pretty obvious, but I'm curious how it's been for anyone who has left home for a while. Would you go back and change it? Are you glad it happened?
This weekend Birch met my dad and brothers in Phoenix to play golf (AKA the Frost Open). The moms and kids stayed at the house playing. Here's Haley with her cousin Kate.
And the boys: Trevor and Benson.
Trevor is way into jerseys right now--soccer, football, you name it!
8 comments:
I have never had the choice of living near family so consider that when you read my opinion.
Pros of living near family (i.e., why I wish I did...sometimes): Free, convenient, loving childcare. Growing up with cousins. Support network. No hellish travel experiences at holidays. :)
Cons: Getting caught up in the drama (maybe your family doesn't have any, though...). Not making other friends. Becoming complacent at having a built-in support network so you don't have to do things the hard way and build character (haha, only slightly kidding). Having to listen to lots of opinions on the way you are running your own family. Maybe being expected to attend every little event.
It comes down to you and your personality. Some people are happy living close to family. Some are not. Some people wither when they're too far away.
Good luck!!! It's an exciting decision, either way.
Wellll...Here we are in happy ol' Utah and away from family. But our situation is a little of both worlds because Utah is close enough to Arizona that driving is still an option so we have gone back a few times and our families have come to visit a few times.
It gets a little loney sometimes around holidays but seriously it is not that bad. And knowing that we will be back soon enough makes it seem not a big deal.
So really I don't regret it at all. Its nice to be somewhere new. But again, moving here is kinda cheating because it is mormonville and well within our comfort zone. For me the hard thing about leaving was moving because it is a pain.
Final thought...if you dont mind leaving your comfort zone or moving, being away from family is very survivable. No problemo.
Hey Camille!! I love your blog and all of the cute pictures! I don't have alot to say about living far from home. Utah is far enough way to keep us going home all of the time but close enough that we are willing to drive for special stuff. (sometimes... :)) You should talk to Jenni about Nebraska. She lived there for about a year. Hope you guys are doing well!
hm. cant help ya. were in the same predicament. let me know what you decide though ;)
I don't have good advice for you. Any school that Clifton could get into will be far away so we don't have a choice, but I'm kind of looking forward to the adventure. The thing I'm worried about is Casey's school. Good luck. I went to the match day for my brother-in-law, it was pretty intense.
Wow, I remember this time like it was yesterday! Jeremy and I wanted to move away, but we still ended up here :) I would have much rather moved away because of our situation...the kids are still super young, adventure, growing together as our own family unit, I could go on. But it is nice to be close to family too. Either way it will be fun! Birch will be in residency!!!! YAY! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help! Good luck!
I think Bridget summed it up my thoughts on it very well. I have found it really helps you draw closer together as a couple and as a family (you, Birch and kids) when you are away from extended family.
Good luck on the match!
Living away from family is very, very hard but I didn't get a choice at it. I got married and then, bam, we were in Tennessee far away from my family. It was rough but we managed to see everyone alot. It was kind of nice to have the chance to grow together in that forced type of way because it was just us.
Now that you have two kids and are thinking of an eventual third it is even scarier to imagine all of that distance. I still believe however that it will only bring your own family closer together. Plus, like you said, it's very temporary which is an added bonus. It's like an opt out clause in a contract.
I think that when it comes down to it, you will find joy no matter where you end up or how far away your families are because that's just the kind of person you are. You are strong and resourceful, super smart and optimistic. You take life as it comes and work with what you're given. I just hope life gives you chocolate cake (ie: your first choice) rather than lemons. I'm sure it will. :D So exciting!
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