Calling it quits and moving

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

I didn't pull up stakes and head for new territory, but I did change careers at 50...
I make less money now, but don't work hours that are going to kill me.
A supportive wife is the key, at least for me.

[MountainBiker]

I spent my life moving. We left Lawrence KS (KC job) and came to Joplin. Now Mike was born here but moved away. He loves it here and I could move even further out if I could. Small town with two very good hospitals, and a University. It works for us.

Won't matter where you live if you don't dump the stress. Maybe some counseling to learn to dump all that....then move to the lake..

You live in Joplin?

[MountainBiker]

I didn't pull up stakes and head for new territory, but I did change careers at 50...
I make less money now, but don't work hours that are going to kill me.
A supportive wife is the key, at least for me.

Glampergirl is very supportive. Trouble ius, I like the job I am doing, but now I am doing three peoples work...they got rid of the other two

[Oasis Maker]

I left Michigan cold (literally) 15 years ago for Arizona and haven't looked back. I gave up a full clientele in my business that took 10 years to acquire too, but this is what I mean by a long slow and well thought out decision.

I was considering moving for 8 months before I discussed it with anyone, even family. I needed time to really search my soul and understand what this thing was inside of me that was driving me to do this, and I didn't want any outside emotional influence in conversation. Ultimately, this was a decision that I would have to live with myself, one way or another.

Now I'm in a region of the country where I have year round biking, hiking, and more sun than anywhere else in the country. Just experiencing all of the national monuments in Arizona alone is a thrill. And with California just a skip away, I have the ocean too when it calls me.

I believe the very reason I am even posting on this forum is because of that move. My Jeep and Teardrop are a direct result of living in an environment that just begs to be explored with adventure. Most importantly though, I'm not waking up in Michigan 15 years later wondering... what if?

Scott

[oklahomajewel]

Seeing the Avatars for you two guys, you need to move somewhat close together and go camping and biking together! haha

[MountainBiker]

Seeing the Avatars for you two guys, you need to move somewhat close together and go camping and biking together! haha

Glampergirl says Oasis Maker would have to move back to Michigan

[caseydog]

I didn't pull up stakes and head for new territory, but I did change careers at 50...
I make less money now, but don't work hours that are going to kill me.
A supportive wife is the key, at least for me.

Glampergirl is very supportive. Trouble ius, I like the job I am doing, but now I am doing three peoples work...they got rid of the other two

Ah, I know that feeling, too. I used to be Art Director for a national magazine -- actually, for almost a year, I was the whole art department.

I used to stress out around deadline days, when I had to get PDFs to my printer 500 miles away in order to keep from losing our turn on the big six-color web press. Meanwhile, the freelance writers would miss their deadlines, while I still had to meet mine.

I finally had enough of that, and allowed a deadline to pass after the writers missed their deadlines. At first, the publisher was pissed at me, but I stood my ground, and he came to realize that he needed to get tough on the writers that HE hired, if he expected me to meet my deadlines.

If your work is truly valued by your employer, then step one for you may be to have a little talk with the boss about what doing three jobs is doing to your health.

Just a thought.

CD

[RAYVILLIAN]

Sounds to me like you need to retire sorta. My best friend had 2 heartattacks and by-passes 15 years ago at 44 and couldn't handle the stress of working a 8 hr job. Ended up on SS disability and rehabs house. He can still work for 4 hrs just not longer. Works at is own pace and rests alot.

I moved to a small town of 200 people 35 years ago that is still commuting distance to Kansas City. and love it. It's great to walk out in the back yard and see the Milky Way at night but I can be at the city market down town in about 45 mins.

Gary

[GlamperGirl]

Okay, here is the other half's side of the story ... GlamperGirl has always loved the north, remote or not. I could be a hermit. Well maybe a hermit with a garden and some chickens ... But I know that Mountainbiker man needs community. We both were born and raised in Burlington (Ontario) and have never left there and the town is now a suburban city on the verge of building up because there is no land left to sprawl. We've been married 25 years. When we bought our first house (the one we still live in) it was a 5 year plan. That was in 1994 We have talked and researched for over 10 years. Mountainbiker wants all the answers before he jumps in. Me, I'm ready to go and we will make it work where ever we land. I worked in downtown Toronto in video production for corporate insurance and did the stressful 18 hour days. Got downsized out of a job, did some freelance work from home and started to work at a local Home Depot to help make ends meet. The next plan was that if I could gain full time status we could transfer north and one of us would have a job and some benefits. I have now been there almost 7 years, full time for more than 4 Mountainbiker,s job is stressful and he actually took up sports to help eleviate some of the stress. First competitive roller blading and then onto the bikes. When work starts to change, you too have to change. He has just gone back to work after 6mths disability because of heart issues. The work has not gotten any less stressful. So we need to make some choices. The original idea (25 years ago) was 100 acres and self sufficiency. Now, I'm thinking 1/2 an acre to 5 acres to will probably have to suffice. With Mountainbiker's health issues, its likely to be me tending the property for the most part. But I still hold on to the idea of settling somewhere rural where the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) will not catch up to me in my lifetime A smaller town and a slower pace of life. The good thing is that we are still talking about doing it. The bad thing is, I feel I'm getting closer to being too old to pull it off. And for sure, I want Mountainbiker to be there along for the adventure by my side. Thanks for the sage advice from everyone here, its nice to get a full range of feedback.

[stumphugger]

Have you thought about Beautiful British Columbia? Where they spell Okanogan Okanagan? It has become wine country though so probably isn't as inexpensive a place anymore.

A guy I used to know belonged to all sorts of sports clubs across the border, including a bike one. That would be out of Osoyoos.

In the states, the valley was the end of the road. In BC, it was "The Southern California of Canada." It still had places that were off the beaten path and some excellent skiing.

[hugh]

I worked for 31 years for the railway and in the last few years we got bought out by a Chicago railway and they sent their managers up here and they literally made our life hell. The second I turned 55 the wife said get out before the stress of working for those jerks kills you so I retired. One of the best things I ever did. Picked up a part time job at one of our local Home Depots, put a couple of years there and decided not fun anymore, they aren't doing all that great so it was always do more with less so I quit and lucked out with another part time job with the Fed Govt here in Winnipeg. Turns out change was stressful for the first couple of weeks then it was great. Come out west, there are jobs to be found here, we still have lots of uncrowded land and housing is still cheap. Mind you it is winter for 4 plus months and of that it can get down to 40 below sometimes for a couple of weeks. Not really a problem if you dress for it I find camping in all but the deep of winter is great , no crowds and no bugs. Seriously though you might wind up in the most visually stunning place but after a time I feel it,s the people you meet that make the difference. I've been to Toronto a time or two and the traffic is a lot like the larger U.S. cities, you can keep that plus it gets real muggy and smoggy in the heat of the summer. Here in Winnipeg in the rush hour it still only takes an hour to get across town and if you want you can pick a smaller community just outside of town and house prices are even lower. I imagine west of us it is much of the ame.

[Cliffmeister2000]

She just wants to sell and go, and let the chips fall where they may...I am more cautious and want to make sure we have all our ducks in a row before going...my question is this...have any of you tried this...and if so, how did you pull it off

This statement says a lot! I was once told I should not be in sales because I care too much about my customers, and it will create much stress in my life. I stayed in sales a long time and was successful, until the company laid off enough people that they could no longer deliver. Then I had to move on. I'm guessing that your "Caring" is what is causing your stress. I would also bet you cannot quit caring. That's a good thing. Too many people don't care anymore.

I can't give you advice, but will pray for you, that you make the right decision and find a place that cares for you as much as you care for them.

[EffieRover]

I echo the sentiment of finding a place you want to move TO rather than from.

The country can be stressful, too. We have critters galore, including the occasional rabid fox or raccoon, no access to things cityfolk call basic necessities ... but our biggest problem is neighbors. In the small cluster of houses in which we live (there can't be 10 all together), we have one SOB who treats everyone else's property as his own (including picking our vegetables right out of our gardens), one who can't stand any kind of noise even within reasonable hours, one who's freakin crazy and owns a ton of guns, and an entire family that you hold onto the pocket with your wallet every time you see them.

Stress is everywhere. I hope you find peace.

[kinshipknight]

I have considered this myself. The city life (even in a mid size city) is killing me. I've always been small town and I crave it again.

[Miriam C.]

Okay, here is the other half's side of the story ... GlamperGirl has always loved the north, remote or not. I could be a hermit. Well maybe a hermit with a garden and some chickens ... But I know that Mountainbiker man needs community. We both were born and raised in Burlington (Ontario) and have never left there and the town is now a suburban city on the verge of building up because there is no land left to sprawl. We've been married 25 years. When we bought our first house (the one we still live in) it was a 5 year plan. That was in 1994 We have talked and researched for over 10 years. Mountainbiker wants all the answers before he jumps in. Me, I'm ready to go and we will make it work where ever we land. I worked in downtown Toronto in video production for corporate insurance and did the stressful 18 hour days. Got downsized out of a job, did some freelance work from home and started to work at a local Home Depot to help make ends meet. The next plan was that if I could gain full time status we could transfer north and one of us would have a job and some benefits. I have now been there almost 7 years, full time for more than 4 Mountainbiker,s job is stressful and he actually took up sports to help eleviate some of the stress. First competitive roller blading and then onto the bikes. When work starts to change, you too have to change. He has just gone back to work after 6mths disability because of heart issues. The work has not gotten any less stressful. So we need to make some choices. The original idea (25 years ago) was 100 acres and self sufficiency. Now, I'm thinking 1/2 an acre to 5 acres to will probably have to suffice. With Mountainbiker's health issues, its likely to be me tending the property for the most part. But I still hold on to the idea of settling somewhere rural where the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) will not catch up to me in my lifetime A smaller town and a slower pace of life. The good thing is that we are still talking about doing it. The bad thing is, I feel I'm getting closer to being too old to pull it off. And for sure, I want Mountainbiker to be there along for the adventure by my side. Thanks for the sage advice from everyone here, its nice to get a full range of feedback.

The first thing I saw was competitive Sounds like someone needs to learn to relax...Some Yoga might help