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Subject: OT: Hittin' the road
Posted by: Tree
- [41371322] Sat, Sep 19, 2009, 22:14
well, after nearly 15 years here, it looks like I'll be seeing NYC in my rear-view mirror soon enough.
after 10 months out of work, and now heading into the second half unemployment benefits, i am feeling the need to relocate to make that dollar stretch further than it does in NYC.
barring one of the resumes i have out there hitting gold and me getting a job, i'll probably head to Texas in mid-November. Having grown up there, i have a ton of friends there, the cost of living is reasonable, the unemployment rate isn't awful, and so on and so forth.
i'll probably load up my clothes, my laptop, some prized books dvds CDs, and a few other things - into my car, store the rest of my stuff at my parents' in Jersey and hit the road.
along the way, i'll probably check out a few places i've considered relocating to in the past, but never really spent the time to go visit for more than a few hours.
among those are Asheville, NC, and and the Tampa area - so if any of y'all leave there and want to put me up on your couch for a night or two, let me know. lol.
this is something i've been thinking about for awhile, even before i was laid off. i love NYC, but man, it wears ya down. i'll miss it, but most of my friends who have left said they felt the same thing - that they'd miss it...and they do, but they feel their quality of life is better outside of NYC.
so, there ya go. i am heading to Texas within 60 days, and i am gonna help turn that damned state from Red to Blue. :o) |
| 1 | Perm Dude
ID: 154552311
Sat, Sep 19, 2009, 22:36
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Asheville is a great town. My wife keeps bringing it up in conversations...
Stop by the Poconos.
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| 2 | PuNk42AE
Donor
ID: 036635522
Sat, Sep 19, 2009, 22:41
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And don't forget a Button when you goto the Poconos!
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| 3 | Seattle Zen
ID: 238441010
Sat, Sep 19, 2009, 23:10
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Ashville, YES, Tampa, what the fu@k?
Good luck in Texas. Living in a crazy busy metro center like NYC certainly does wear you down, you'll enjoy the change of pace IF you find a progressive place with things to do. The lack of that is death, my friend.
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| 4 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Sat, Sep 19, 2009, 23:15
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PD - Asheville has been on my radar for years.
Punk - i already own one of them buttons. :o)
SZ - i agree. That's one of the reasons i'm likely heading to Ft. Worth, at least for a bit. Lots of friends, most of them lean left, and so on. I think Austin would be the ideal destination, but with Ft. Worth being cheaper, i can live there until a i find a job.
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| 5 | Seattle Zen
ID: 238441010
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 00:46
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I'm not going ot hijack your thread, but Asheville is the setting of my favorite anecdote. It was new years 1998 and I took my girlfriend to a B&B and the Biltmore Estate for the occasion, my first girlfriend after my marriage failed.
So, we go to breakfast in the morning and we are the youngest couple, but as the other couples start finding out, the rest of them all got married in 1997. They were all a flutter with questions about where they got married, colors, size of the weddings, honeymoons, etc... It was weird because people were from all over the country, even a couple who drove from Seattle.
So this nice Southern woman then turns to me and asks if we were married.
"Yes, but not to each other..."
I let that one sit there for just long enough.
I like to think I completely brought the soundtrack to a halt, forks clanking against dishes, a cough or two, but of course tall tales like that only exist in Texas. I clarified that we were both going through divorces, which was only partially true, she had filed papers. I didn't get divorced until 2005. No need to rush these things.
I would love to see Asheville in fall. Cool little town... for the Carolinas.
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| 6 | astade
Sustainer
ID: 214361313
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 00:58
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Tree, check out Chimney Rock while you are in the Asheville area. Preferably early or late in the day so as to avoid the tourists ;)
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| 7 | biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 02:38
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Yeah, I left NYC when I was 25, and I felt OLD. It is a hard town, particularly when you live hard.
NYC is for the young or the rich.
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| 8 | Building 7
ID: 43735169
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 07:59
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After all the insults of Texas. Now you are moving here. Good luck, anyways.
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| 9 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 08:44
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B7 - i grew up in Texas. And the state has earned a lot of the scorn it gets.
it also shows signs of progression, from Austin to Ron Paul to a 44% showing for Obama in 2008.
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| 10 | bibA
Leader
ID: 261028117
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 09:18
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You thought about the Chicago area? There is a guy up there who may be able to get you a door to door gig. Very low pay, but maybe you can make some good contacts. Call it networking.
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| 11 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 09:34
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LOL @10.
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| 12 | walk
ID: 210582620
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 12:42
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Good luck, Tree. I will represent in NYC. bili, it's doable. I was even out of work for 3 months this year and my wife has started a new successful biz. We're bringing up our two kids, ages 11 and 8 in Manhattan. We got lucky buying in 1995, and it is "intense," and I respect Tree, your decision, to explore other pastures. I hope it works out for you.
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| 13 | Perm Dude
ID: 154552311
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 21:08
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tree, what kind of work are you trying to get into? Besides troll work, of course.
:)
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| 14 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Sun, Sep 20, 2009, 21:30
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you know PD, livin' under bridges, chargin' tolls, etc etc...
i'm basically a jack of all trades, master of all.
lots of experience in sales, marketing, communications, writing/reporting/journalism, social media, retail management, and dog walking. lol
ideally, it would be in communications and/or some sort of writing. i've got a handful of freelance gigs going on with press releases and social media and such...
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| 15 | Bauxman
ID: 278192112
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 13:19
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Good luck Tree. I mean that. Not even a liberal deserves to lose their job for that long of a time.
Anyone else notice the pecularity of a liberal leaving a liberal haven so they can get a job in a conservative state that has weathered The Great Recession far better?
Too bad that the inevitable influx of liberals could turn Texas blue (the same color as dying of asfixiation) and then that well could be poisoned as well. It's too late for NY, IL, and other states. It's not too late for Texas. Maybe Perry is right.
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| 16 | Perm Dude
ID: 154552311
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 13:35
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Maybe Perry is right.
In what way?
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| 17 | Mith
Dude
ID: 01629107
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 13:45
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Wasn't that guy banned from this site by the person who owns and operates it?
Weren't measures taken in attempt to prevent him from posting here any more?
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| 18 | Bauxman
ID: 278192112
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 13:53
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I was banned for posting pictures that painted liberals in an unfavorable light.
Unfortunately Tree, Sarge, and Zen are still allowed to post inflammatory things. Bias much?
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| 19 | biliruben
ID: 461142511
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 13:58
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The little political that Guru has posted, has been clearly conservative.
If he did the banning, I think your charge of bias is absurd.
Go away.
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| 20 | boikin
ID: 532592112
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 14:11
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Tree, good luck on your move. One piece of advice about Tampa interesting place to visit but for someone coming from New York where you can walk and take mass transit you are going to hate the traffic and inability to get anywhere. I also second everyone opinion that asheville and surrounding areas are really nice and I am not sure which chimney rock Astade is referring to because there are several in western Carolina but if you see signs that say do not climb on the rocks or do not go beyond this point. Ignore them the best parts are usually past them.
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| 21 | bibA
Leader
ID: 261028117
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 14:37
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NO ONE has more class than Guru. To accuse him of banning someone solely because they allegedly posted pictures that paint liberals unfavorably is as ludicrous as all get out.
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| 22 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 15:48
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i feel like i'm waving the traffic of posts 15 to 19 through the intersection, but i'll stop them long enough to say this:
it was not an easy decision to leave NYC for Texas, in part, because of the political climate. That was soothed a bit by my friends, who are the people i will be choosing to surround myself, as they are all democrats, lean left a bit more than that, or are republicans with a lick of sense.
i don't know a single person in Texas who has anything positive to say about Rick Perry does or says.
as for Tampa - yea, it's a long shot. it's only in the running because i do have a lot of friends there. Texas has more going for it, and Asheville has potential down the road, if i can find someone to couch surf with while checking it out. :o)
i appreciate the kind words of you people.
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| 23 | Building 7
ID: 471052128
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 16:04
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it was not an easy decision to leave NYC for Texas, in part, because of the political climate.
Are you going to Texas or North Korea? Do you know there are over 5 million Democrats in Texas. If I was looking for a job, political climate would be way, way, way down the list, if it was on the list at all.
i don't know a single person in Texas who has anything positive to say about Rick Perry does or says.
What about me.
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| 24 | biliruben
ID: 461142511
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 16:07
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He meant "know" biblically.
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| 25 | Building 7
ID: 471052128
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 16:33
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Rick who?
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| 26 | blue hen
Dude
ID: 710321114
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 16:35
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Bon voyage, Tree. Are you going to have a going away party?
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| 27 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 16:59
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B7 - no, texas isn't the worst place in the world. bigots and racists are everywhere. still, it's a change from where i am now, politically speaking. a dramatic change.
BH - it's still a couple months away, and probably not. seems self-indulgent to throw myself a party, especially when unemployed.
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| 28 | blue hen
Dude
ID: 710321114
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 17:10
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You could have a distributed party - everyone has a drink in your name from wherever they are.
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| 29 | Building 7
ID: 43735169
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 18:31
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texas isn't the worst place in the world. bigots and racists are everywhere.
I wouldn't count on having any good karma when you get to Texas.
What happened to Bauxman? You guys got him banned?
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| 30 | biliruben
ID: 461142511
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 18:44
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No idea, but it might have to do with some vile photos he started posting a few months ago.
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| 31 | Farn
Leader
ID: 451044109
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 19:04
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I actually didn't realize he was blocked. I was just praying he didn't pay his internet bill.
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| 32 | biliruben
ID: 461142511
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 19:27
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heh.
Yeah, me too. Guru probably just informed the moderators.
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| 33 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 19:38
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texas isn't the worst place in the world. bigots and racists are everywhere.
I wouldn't count on having any good karma when you get to Texas.
this is why i hate this board half the time. yes, i'm going to texas. yes, there are racists and bigots there. just like there are in new york, oregon, illinois, and probably 46 other states.
what's your point?
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| 34 | astade
Sustainer
ID: 214361313
Mon, Sep 21, 2009, 21:47
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Boikin, I didn't realize that there were multiple Chimney Rocks. This is one I was refering to.
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| 35 | Pancho Villa
ID: 56819228
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 09:20
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Having followed your travels this summer to Canada, Washington state and Texas, you've seen people like your brother enjoy the remote lifestyle of Powell River to old high school mates comfortable never leaving their hometown.
I constantly moved around in my early adulthood, and Utah never seemed like a place where I'd plant roots for a variety of reasons.
The advantage you have at this point in your life is the freedom to go pretty much wherever you want. No wife, no kids, no home ownership allows you the full benefit of your adventurous spirit, even at the expense of current security. But I have no doubt you'll land on your feet, wherever that may be.
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| 36 | Pancho Villa
ID: 56819228
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 09:26
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My point in #35 is that happiness and contentment are more a state of mind than the state where you reside.
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| 37 | biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 09:35
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This is very true, PV. Good point. Every place is what you make of it.
That said, at a certain point, I was spending a large percentage of my energy in NY in pure survival mode. That takes it's toll after a while. My guess is that Tree will enjoy the decompression.
At least for a while, until he gets bored. ;)
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| 38 | Tree
ID: 41371322
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 09:51
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PV and Bili - thanks for those comments.
you are indeed right, PV. for me, Texas seems right because of the support network i already have in place. it's not often you can move somewhere "new (and having not lived in Texas for more than 20 years, it's new to me), so having friends already there will make the transition significantly easier.
bili - that survival mode drain is a big pary of why i'm leaving. :o) i explained to my dad and step-mom this weekend that the parts of NYC that i love are now being outweighed by the parts of NYC i can't stand.
add to that fact a limited income due to my employment situation, it makes doing a lot of those things i love difficult, if not impossible.
although when i get to texas, one of the first things i'll do is join a gym. i pack on weight fairly quickly while visiting there, because the food is so damned good for your taste buds, and so damned bad for the rest of you. :o)
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| 39 | boikin
ID: 532592112
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 12:24
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Astade, thanks for the link, i have actually hiked 3 other chimney tops in sw north carolina i have not been to that one, though.
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| 40 | biliruben
ID: 461142511
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 13:16
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Yeah, Tree.
Interestingly, people who grew up at that pace in NYC often seem to not be able to be able function at a slower speed. Many of my friends who were local would use "family" as an excuse for not following their dream of living elsewhere, but I think they were secretly afraid that they would have trouble coping elsewhere.
So many of the skills you hone in NYC don't really translate well in, well, most anywhere else.
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| 41 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 13:47
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Good luck in your travels, Tree. I have to admit to chuckling a bit at your wanderings these last 6 months via FB......wondering how in the F is that dude able to do all of that stuff? Family money? Ahhhhhhh......the bliss of an unemployment check and no dependents!
Is FCW near Tampa by chance?
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| 42 | boikin
ID: 532592112
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 16:37
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FCW?
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| 43 | biliruben
ID: 461142511
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 17:17
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Google's first suggestion was "Federal Computer Week."
I'm guessing the second option to be more likely.
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| 44 | Tree
ID: 598422216
Tue, Sep 22, 2009, 17:44
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FCW is near Tampa, and it's the training ground for the WWE. basically, it's their AAA promotion.
for me, if i go to wrestling down there, it would likely be the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, which is a tourney filled with indy wrestlers.
Peterson was a 22-year-old kid who was making his mark in the indy world of wrestling. while likely too small and skinny to ever become a star in the WWE, he would have made a nice living on the Indy circuit.
he was diagnosed with cancer when he was like 19, beat it, came back and wrestling again, then had a relapse and passed away at the age of 22.
ABC News actually did a story on Peterson several years ago when he passed away...
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| 45 | boikin
ID: 532592112
Wed, Sep 23, 2009, 09:30
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This thread has been full of interesting links. I always wondered what FCW stood for, never even considered the 'f' was for florida.
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