Have you moved away from your home state permanently?

[PrinceofWands]

I've moved away, but never stayed away more than about two years. As soon as I realized the place I was sucked, I planned on moving back. There are VERY few areas of the country I can stand, so it's likely I'll always be here. Oh, and except for the military I'd never move somewhere for work as its totally unimportant to me.

As for meeting people, for me it was always about common interest. When I wanted to meet gamers I hung out at game shops and cons. For intellectual matches I hung at University, libraries, and museums. Whatever kind of person you are, hang where that type of person goes and you'll meet people who understand you.

 

[nanette1985]

Grew up in Ohio, moved to NYC because it was a good location for the music industry. Will never move back to Ohio, because the family religion isn't my cup of tea. But I do see them frequently for funerals. Large family, they keep dying.

Found it much easier to make friends in NYC because there are so many more people who share my interests.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Left for school nine years ago.

It's home now.

 

[trmiv]

Yes. Grew up in California, lived there until I was 31, then moved to North Carolina 5 years ago. I'd move back to California in a heartbeat though if I could afford it. Miss it a lot.

 

[ringtail]

``

 

[88keys]

Does Maryland to Pennsylvania count?

Still work in MD tho

 

[shortylickens]

I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was a little slow and didn't realize you didn't have to stay where you were born til I was 18. I left straight away. Well, Uncle Sam might have had a little to do with that.

Minneapolis is a GREAT city. Art, history, food, melting pot of cultures, lakes, parks and, the list goes on and on for it's attractions. You just can't live there. I'd vacation there in a heartbeat.

I always enjoyed the "west" in my travels as a kid to the National Parks so, I moved to NM. As a "yout," I always had an itchy foot so to speak and any time I got bored, didn't like my job or, had a personal relationship making me crazy, I moved to another State. Well, fast forward half a century and, I've lived and worked in every State west of the Mississippi and a number east of.

I've made friends every place I've been although I'm not a particularly outgoing person but, I know how to help people enjoy themselves. It's the gift of hospitality.

It's all about choices. You have to choose to be happy whatever your circumstances. I made a choice long ago to give enjoying life every day a higher priority than earning money in the hope that I could someday make up for the years spent earning it.

Your questions are interesting. The U.S. census says only 1 in 10 ever move more than 150 miles from where they were born. I wonder how our changing economy will affect that number and if more people will relocate or make peace with earning less?

Minneapolis is only great if you're in the upper middle-income. I know.
I grew up there.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Minneapolis is only great if you're in the upper middle-income. I know.
I grew up there.

Time and place. The Minneapolis I knew no longer exists at any income level. That said, there are still a ton of things to do there for not much money compared to all of the SW.

 

[shortylickens]

Time and place. The Minneapolis I knew no longer exists at any income level. That said, there are still a ton of things to do there for not much money compared to all of the SW.

Valley Fair was fun when I grew up. I have no idea what its like now.
The Mall of America was cool but expensive. I heard nowadays its 2/3 offices.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Valley Fair was fun when I grew up. I have no idea what its like now.
The Mall of America was cool but expensive. I heard nowadays its 2/3 offices.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Guthrie theatre
Symphony
Parks
Zoo
Lakes
Museums
Fort Snelling
Planetarium
Some of the best libraries in the country
During the summer and fall months, there is literally a 'festival' of some kind every weekend.
Food! If you can name a culture, you can find good restaurants serving that style of food.

The Mall of America is on the bottom of my list for fun things to do.

 

[stargazr]

Yes, moved from PA to Texas seven years ago. I got back together with an ex-gf who had moved down here. I was well adjusted career-wise but bored with my home town. I like it here and have no intentions of going back and freezing my ass off in the winter time. I do have to drive farther for decent hiking areas, although there is a neat little park nearby.

Had my own business for a few years but found a pretty good job this past January. Was tough meeting new people working out of my home for so long.

 

[Aikouka]

Grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to New York and then moved to Alabama.

I'm tempted to move again though. I really need to get away from this area before they attempt to mold me using some A Clockwork Orange techniques!

Being shown images of Fox News while having Country music blare... ugh the humanity!

I left NYS, went back for almost a year thinking it would be nostalgic and good, then after about six months I realized "What the fuck was I thinking!?!"

Oh, c'mon... New York wasn't that bad.

 

[blackangst1]

I have. Grew up mostly in the PNW. Have lived in most the major cities in western WA border to border...all together I guess about 20-25 years. Moved to Phoenix (the first time) in 1999 to 2003, and came back in 2006, bought a house recently, and have no plans to go back. Although its beautiful up there, I just cant take the gloominess all the time.

 

[PowerEngineer]

I was more than ready to leave my home state of Wisconsin. Attended college in upstate New York, worked in Philadelphia for a couple years (ugh!), and then moved to the Pacific Northwest. I have thought about moving elsewhere, but IMHO it's hard to find a better place to live.

I didn't know anyone when I arrived out here. Yes, I made freinds at work, but I also joined clubs involved in outdoor activities to broaden my range of contacts. That worked well enough for me.

 

[fitzhue]

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, went to college at Illinois, and then moved to Chicago and had a pretty good job at a consulting company downtown for about 5 years. For some reason I got the urge to move out west so I took a job in Billings, Montana about 6 months ago and am seriously regretting it. Montana is a very pretty state but living here is a lot different than visiting for vacation. I knew Billings would not compare at all to Chicago, but I guess it was more of a surprise than I was expecting. There are some nice areas but its really kind of a dumpy town. Plus I'm not the most outgoing person so it doesn't help that I don't really have any friends outside of work.

 

[Linflas]

Other than my stint in the Navy when I lived in Florida I have spent my entire life watching Northern Virginia change from a place I couldn't imagine moving away from to a place I can't wait to leave some day.

 

[Soccerman06]

I live in a different state now, but Im ~15 miles from the border to minnesota soooo does that really count?

 

[shortylickens]

Other than my stint in the Navy when I lived in Florida I have spent my entire life watching Northern Virginia change from a place I couldn't imagine moving away from to a place I can't wait to leave some day.

Me too. My first duty station was florida and it was nice, back in the late 90's.
My baptism was in Aquia. We had friends in Stafford and visited once a year during the summer. It was really nice back in the 80's.

Now I just want a job or just get the hell out. Nothing of cultural value left, many nice little towns ruined, folks settling from all other parts of the country tend to be rude and mean and angry. Virginia Is For Lovers no longer applies any more.

 

[jman19]

Once you settle in, you will never leave hotel California.

singin' bout red solo cup

God bless

 

[zerocool84]

Even though California is going broke, everything is expensive, the job market still sucks, it's still the best state and very difficult to leave. The weather, sights, women, I've thought about moving to another state but everything else is a downgrade.

 

[Soccerman06]

Even though California is going broke, everything is expensive, the job market still sucks, it's still the best state and very difficult to leave. The weather, sights, women, I've thought about moving to another state but everything else is a downgrade.

Women are everywhere, just have to know where to look. Doesnt hurt to have game either. Besides Id rather have a real woman than plastic.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The thing I always loved/hated about California when I lived and worked there was my perception that everyone was always on vacation. People talk about New Mexico and Arizona as the land of mañana but, they've got NOTHING on California for a lack of immediacy.

 

[xanis]

Nope, I've living in the same state (same county as well) since I was born. I lived in Philly for a few years while I was in school though.

I would like to move and see what it's like somewhere else in the country, but it's not financially feasible right now. Maybe in a year or two I'll be able to get a job somewhere else and I can take the plunge.

 

[djnsmith7]

Born & raised in NorCal. No interest of moving away from the Bay Area. This is home.

 

[Dedpuhl]

I moved to FL from LA in 2006. My social life has crashed and burned ever since...