Winds Of Change

[Fierce Critter]

Ever feel like life is about to take a big shift?

Jon and I are feeling a change coming on.

We've been doing a lot of shared introspection - if there is such a thing - and realizing our priorities, tastes, and comforts are pending what could be some drastic change.

In a nutshell, we think the next few years could find us moving up to the Traverse City area.

Our recent vacation up there had us thinking we might not enjoy what we used to love about it up there.

But upon coming back home, we think what we're really experiencing is a shift in what we call "fun". And we think we're more interested in simplification, downshifting, and calm.

I know that sounds kinda contradictory. "How can they expect to like living up there full-time if they couldn't even enjoy 4 days?"

'Cause where you live and where you party are two different things sometimes.

We think we'd rather live in the woods full-time, and come south for the occasional need for the party. Not the other way around.

We're pretty sure that within a span of about 3 years, we'll have a lot of the "party" out of our systems. Hopefully, in that span of time, we'll be able to work up some business we can do that will enable us to live a comfortable, simple life up north.

Jon's going to work on his woodworking. I'm going to get a nail tech license and see about shopping out a demo to do voice-overs and other things that will enable me to make money with my vocal talents.

I don't feel the need to be the "weird looking chick at City Club" anymore. I'd rather be the "weird looking chick" who does manicures & mans the cashier at a craft gallery.

Time will tell. This is kinda exciting, and scary at the same time.

[creatureofthenyte]

I hope you two can make the decision that you both feel is best for yourselves.

I lived in a rural area out here, for about a year, and yeah its nice and peaceful.

But I disliked havin to drive a half hour to do just about everything.

If you like the rural life, thats awesome, I wish you well, the both of you.

But just make sure its what ya really want. Too much quiet could make ya crazy.

good luck!

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

OMG! Your growing up!!! Stop that!!!

[Fierce Critter]

I hope you two can make the decision that you both feel is best for yourselves.

I lived in a rural area out here, for about a year, and yeah its nice and peaceful.

But I disliked havin to drive a half hour to do just about everything.

If you like the rural life, thats awesome, I wish you well, the both of you.

But just make sure its what ya really want. Too much quiet could make ya crazy.

good luck!

A little history.

Born downriver. Ripped from Michigan for 3-1/2 years starting in 2002 to live in North Carolina.

Our backyard was a cow pasture. Literally.

Nearest grocery store was 12 miles.

I ended up a near bedridden, severe, clinical depressive.

My husband became an alcoholic.

Moving back saved our marriage - and, I fully believe, our lives.

We hate rural. We'll never make that mistake again.

TC is so grown-up, it can't really be called "rural". And the surrounding area is more what we'd describe as woodland than rural.

We hope to be able to live somewhere between the center of town and the unaffordable peninsular lakeside homes.

Detroit will be a 4-hour drive away, with plenty of family to put us up for the weekend. We'll still make it to CC once a month or so.

God, I can't wait.

[creatureofthenyte]

A little history.

Born downriver. Ripped from Michigan for 3-1/2 years starting in 2002 to live in North Carolina.

Our backyard was a cow pasture. Literally.

Nearest grocery store was 12 miles.

I ended up a near bedridden, severe, clinical depressive.

My husband became an alcoholic.

Moving back saved our marriage - and, I fully believe, our lives.

We hate rural. We'll never make that mistake again.

TC is so grown-up, it can't really be called "rural". And the surrounding area is more what we'd describe as woodland than rural.

We hope to be able to live somewhere between the center of town and the unaffordable peninsular lakeside homes.

Detroit will be a 4-hour drive away, with plenty of family to put us up for the weekend. We'll still make it to CC once a month or so.

God, I can't wait.

wow, cool!

[Fierce Critter]

OMG! Your growing up!!! Stop that!!!

Heh. Seems that way, don't it?

I'm just glad that with a 10-year difference between our ages, both of us are feeling the same need for slowdown.

I'm mostly scared that the Michigan economy will be so bad by the time we're wanting to make the move, we won't be able to make it on the sales of handmade woodworking, beaded necklaces, and a nail tech's income.

Perhaps if Jon stays in the automatic door business, his current employer might work something out with him to run service up there. He already only has to go into the main shop once or twice a week. They've talked about cutting even that down by having parts shipped directly to the tech's houses.

[Homicidalheathen]

Kudos to you! I too, long for a simple life, and am sick of the city. Have done my share of partying and just want to spend time on our buisness endevor and spiritual persuits.

Do you two have job prospects in the Traverse area?

Ever feel like life is about to take a big shift?

Jon and I are feeling a change coming on.

We've been doing a lot of shared introspection - if there is such a thing - and realizing our priorities, tastes, and comforts are pending what could be some drastic change.

In a nutshell, we think the next few years could find us moving up to the Traverse City area.

Our recent vacation up there had us thinking we might not enjoy what we used to love about it up there.

But upon coming back home, we think what we're really experiencing is a shift in what we call "fun". And we think we're more interested in simplification, downshifting, and calm.

I know that sounds kinda contradictory. "How can they expect to like living up there full-time if they couldn't even enjoy 4 days?"

'Cause where you live and where you party are two different things sometimes.

We think we'd rather live in the woods full-time, and come south for the occasional need for the party. Not the other way around.

We're pretty sure that within a span of about 3 years, we'll have a lot of the "party" out of our systems. Hopefully, in that span of time, we'll be able to work up some business we can do that will enable us to live a comfortable, simple life up north.

Jon's going to work on his woodworking. I'm going to get a nail tech license and see about shopping out a demo to do voice-overs and other things that will enable me to make money with my vocal talents.

I don't feel the need to be the "weird looking chick at City Club" anymore. I'd rather be the "weird looking chick" who does manicures & mans the cashier at a craft gallery.

Time will tell. This is kinda exciting, and scary at the same time.

[SuZQZ]

TC is so grown-up, it can't really be called "rural". And the surrounding area is more what we'd describe as woodland than rural.

We hope to be able to live somewhere between the center of town and the unaffordable peninsular lakeside homes.

For those not familiar, TC is beautiful (writing this from my lakeview hotel room on the east bay!). It's rural when you want it to be, but it is not a tiny hick town. There's a BD's Mongolian BBQ for crying out loud! lol A 24 hr Walgreens, Sam's Club, Meijers, a huge mall, Walmart, an excellent hospital, airport, etc, etc. I've often thought it would be wonderful to live up here, but I know I wouldn't be able to handle the winters. (circulatory system doesn't do cold well)

Fierce Critter - I hope your plans come to fruition, and I will be quite envious when they do

[ManicQueen]

I love TC. My family used to travel there once a month for a good 12 years to visit my grandparents.

My uncle lives up there and my dad live's in Interlocken, about a 20 minute drive

from TC.

I've been thinking about moving up there myself.

[Fierce Critter]

For those not familiar, TC is beautiful (writing this from my lakeview hotel room on the east bay!). It's rural when you want it to be, but it is not a tiny hick town. There's a BD's Mongolian BBQ for crying out loud! lol A 24 hr Walgreens, Sam's Club, Meijers, a huge mall, Walmart, an excellent hospital, airport, etc, etc. I've often thought it would be wonderful to live up here, but I know I wouldn't be able to handle the winters. (circulatory system doesn't do cold well)

Fierce Critter - I hope your plans come to fruition, and I will be quite envious when they do

And the Mongolian there has cherries on the veggie bar!!! Nummy, nummy!

[Fierce Critter]

I love TC. My family used to travel there once a month for a good 12 years to visit my grandparents.

My uncle lives up there and my dad live's in Interlocken, about a 20 minute drive

from TC.

I've been thinking about moving up there myself.

Sounds like me. I wasn't lucky enough to go up there once a month. But we spent every summer camping up there from the time I was 5 until now.

I've often felt more at home there than here.

I just feel bad for my dad. He wanted to move up there when he retired in '86. My mother has some psychological pack-rat issues, though. Selling the house would have been a major trauma for her with the stuff she would have had to get rid of.

[freydis]

Check out Elk Rapids. Not far from TC, small town, and has lots of woodsy/bayside homes. My friend's parents have a house there, the front yard is all woods, the backyard's beach.

[Fierce Critter]

Check out Elk Rapids. Not far from TC, small town, and has lots of woodsy/bayside homes. My friend's parents have a house there, the front yard is all woods, the backyard's beach.

I've been to Elk Rapids.

A little TOO off the beaten path/small town for us.

I don't know where we'll end up, but I just hope things fall in place financially, career-wise, economy-wise and all that other happy crap that isn't completely within our control.

[Kit Kat P]

Sounds like both personally and relationship wise, you guys are in a good place, I'm glad to see you will also in a good physical place.