Calling it quits and moving

[MountainBiker]

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.

Actually I did get told in a review that I should stop expecting others to stand up to the same standards I set for my self. It used to be in sales that your word meant everything, but not anymore...
Anyway, thanks for your prayers...I appreciate it.

[MountainBiker]

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

Ya, I have so many injuries from being competative, that I am no longer flexable enough to do yoga Actually, I am getting out of racing, as a very bad concussion has made me re-think things.

[Mightydog]

Let's all move to Mayberry!



I was born and raised in a small town. My parents lived there until Mom got very sick. After the crack medical team at the local hospital tried to kill her, they airlifted her to a real hospital in a larger town. She recovered and lived many more years. If you plan to get old, you might want to consider local medical/dental options and how far they are away from you.

[Micro469]

Places I'd like to move to..Collingwood, Wasaga, Orillia, Midland, Penetang...All smaller communities, but still have Big city amenities. Also, you'r a lot closer to clean lakes, forests, and nature....

[Senior Ninja]

I left the Chicago area for California back in '74 because of the winters and never looked back. I landed in Santa Barbara and in five months had a teaching job in a vocational program.
The job ended and we moved to the desert to a small town. I wasn't planning on staying but found that the school district had money, lots of money. Any time I wanted something for my students, I got it. I stayed until I retired in sixteen years. My wife showed up with a truck one day after i retired and split our stuff so she could move away. Five years later I met a wonderful woman on the internet that owned a home here in Murphys, Kahlyfornia. The house overlooks the National Forest. Murphys is really small so serious shopping takes place in Sonora, Stockton or Manteca.(Bass Pro Shop) This is the smallest place I've ever lived and I like it. Our neighbors are wonderful. I'm staying.
Steve

[Roly Nelson]

Being born and raised in N. Illinois, 20 degrees below zero temps and muggy, insect laden summers, it just didn't fit my life style after I became a carpenter and knew that I would have to endure cold winters for 8 hours a day, newly married and hoping to raise a family here, for the rest of my life.

Breaking away from all of my childhood and highschool friends, family and familiar haunts, was daunting. However, at the age of 20, after driving the full length of the old two lane Route 66 on our honeymoon in 1954, I realized that So Calif would be the ideal place to relocate. Hey, it was really a scarry decision, leaving a very good job, and to just pull up and split. Well, we did it and it was the best move we ever made. No regrets, ever.

When we arrived in our new So Calif city, I remember how exciting it was, checking out the new local sites, meeting new friends and finding a new job. After supervising major construction projects for over 40 years, I felt it was time to relocate once again, when I retired. We took off and went full-timing in our motorhome for eight years, but upon returning, we elected to drift out, away from the big city, for a more relaxing style of living. I now live in the "sticks", and can coast, downhill in the car, 3 miles on a 2 lane road to get the the freeway.

I have found that moving to a new location, finding new places of business and such, is very exciting and I feel sorry for those that have never done it. I am content to meet and greet perfect strangers in campgrounds, with my little teardrop trailer. "Hi there, are you familiar with teardrops, here, let me give you the tour, and get you out of those damned tents".

I found that relocation to new surroundings, is almost like being re-born, leaving all of the old, behind and looking forward to the new. I relish not having that stressful lifestyle, and can't even remember now, how long ago it has been, since I got mad, or had to deal with "big shots" that felt that their whole role in life, was to make my life miserable. (Hey, can you relate to that?) Time schedules, high-powered meetings, cost overruns, difficult, overpaid, management neck-ties, and high-dollar developers....... they are now a thing of the past. I'm just a small cog in the little wheel of teardrop trailer camping and enjoyment, and I love it.

So, don't wish in the future, that 20 years ago, you would have bitten the bullet and taken the big step. Life really is nice on the other side of high stress, overwork and long work schedules. Making a great salary, isn't really that important, when you look at the happy life you can have. Cutting back on restaurant meals, concert tickets and high-dollar wheels, can really make a difference in living a long and enjoyable life....I know.

Just my two cents, from an old 78 year old, that's been there.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do......... Roly

[Roly Nelson]

Slowcowboy, you hit the nail right on the head. Life is just a journey that can take us to untold wealth or happyness.....or, you make the choice. (1) Would you rather be wealthy, overworked and stessed out, or (2) laid back and content? This may mean that you may not have an 8 room house, a maid, a swimming pool, 3 car garage and a BMW,

As far as I am concerned, getting up in the morning without a worry in the world, is, by far, a better way to live, than having to make some high-powered meeting with investors, or simply having to explain why the latest endevor took longer or cost more than the "neck-ties" thought it would. Long live hard workers, who tell the big shots to "shove it". Hey, who needs a supeviser who yells and makes you fee "less than?"

However, if it comes to the Government having to support those that fail to try to support themselves or their families........well that is another issue. I have always felt that anyone that is willing to go out and get a job........will find a job. Showing up on time, fresh-shaven, cleanly dressed and drug-free, willling to work hard and not afraid of having to work beyound what is expected, will always be ensured a job, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it may be.........Right?
Roly, just an old-school, work-ethic kind of guy.
Roly

[bc toys]

Isay go for it I left a small town in texas pop995 to go to a small town outside of Dallas leftthat to go to Huntsville Al big town came home and said to wife I think I messed up taking this job she said you can do anything you put your mind to swtayed 3 yrs and loaded up the family and moved to Las Vegas been here 16yrs but like you I'm ready for a change back to small town living. Good luck with your move

[Senior Ninja]

Roly,
Man I am with you!
Exploration of new
places, new ideas,
new people, is an
adventure. I guess
I always have to
know what's over
the next hill. I'm
always curious about
everything. I want to
know how this world
works before I go to
the next one. Bored?
NEVER!
Steve

[Dixie Flyer]

Well Mountainbiker......First off, a very good thread.

Now, here's my little 2¢.

Our health is all we have and we're all a long time dead. So, with that in mind, find something you want, research it to the best of your ability and make the move. Go as far as you can see.....and....when you get there.....you can see further. Enjoy your life, after all it's yours.

Good luck to you in the future.

[2bits]

I worked at a promotional products company for four years (i.e. trinkets and trash, promotional stuff t shirts, anything you could put a logo on). I was front line customer service, the designated person to resolve all distributor issues, and because I opened my big mouth I also became the artwork pre-flight director. When I quit, they actually had to hire three people to replace me.

Sometimes bosses don't care that they are pushing you too far, (not that you said it was a boss issue). In my situation my boss would see someone getting frustrated because they were overwhelmed and she would give them some assistance. My breaking point was when I was incredibly overloaded with deadlines and the usual thing that comes with that industry and she took me aside and literally said that I was being bitchy. I gave my notice two weeks later and became a carpenter working with a good friend of mine. I worked harder than I ever have in my life but loved every minute of it. The heat, the cold the sore muscles, I loved feeling healthy and working out in nature building decks, shelves, purgulas etc. A change of employment can be a great change of attitude especially when you are working with your hands in a natural environment.

I am now facing a new change now a few years later. I am an Operations Manager for BofA and I love my job, but I tire of suburban life, and I can't afford my home living alone and I have no plans to marry or get a room mate. So I am selling my house and getting a large 5th wheel travel trailer and buying 3 acres of wooded land in the country. I see it as trading a big house on small land, for a small home on big land, and I will be paid off in 5 years not 25. One they are both paid off, I plan to build a house myself there, paying as I go.

To me it sounds like you may not need to move, and that might just be a want which is ok too, but your primary issue is the high stress job. I really hope you can find something you love to do no matter where it is!

All my experience I noted was to demonstrate as other have that it can be done!

[K0HY]

Love this line of thinking from all of you. I am 60 now and gave up work 15 years ago as nothing but a very bad habit and I have never looked back. I might not have the money to do all the things I would like to do but I enjoy the things I can afford.

Lived in small towns (pop 124) and big cities and really like the small towns much better. Granted in a small town a person cannot fade into the background (neighbors will not let you) but it is nice to call a neighbor to watch the place while we go off on a week or two trip. But then we do the same for them when they go on a trip.

I am of the thinking that change can make a better person out of a stale stressed out workaholic. So pack up the family valuables and 'get outa Dodge'.

Just my 2 cents worth.

K0HY
Jim