Nords said:
Here's a dumb question, Enigma: what is it about where you're living that makes you want to move?
Nords, That is a very insightful question if you ask me.
In other words what's keeping you there, and when you ER what becomes so bad about your location that the positives are outweighed by the negatives?
Positives
Job: Great employer. Treats me very well, great compensation, great benefits, generally very good co-workers and upper management is decent to work with (I am the 2nd person in charge at the location level. 350 employees.
Area: Incredibly beautiful. Snow capped peaks, huge forests, rivers, lakes, Hits our recreational favorites dead on. My wifes father is 15 min away, Her mother & sister 5 min. (Yes, I get along great with my mother/father in law
Great people). Great to have my kids near there elders.
Climate: Very good, very little snow where we live but an easy 30 minute drive up into the mountains to go sledding, skiing. Spectacular spring, summer, fall.
Cons
This once modest town of 18,000 and nearby berg, once 8,000 in 1993 when my company moved me here are now combined about 100,000-125,000 population for the two communities including outlying areas. Why? Climate & Area as mentioned above in "positives" also relatively speaking land and homes were priced cheap in 93 when compared to what the area had to offer. For example: In 1996 I purchased a forested, private 5 acre parcel in a planned estate community. Had a custom designed home drawn up and built with mountain views and excellent neighbors, $195,000 total. A spec home is being built in my neighborhood right now its 2400sf mine is 2100sf. It has a few more frills than mine but is listed for sale at $895,000. Yikes !!!!!
Change in demographic: Not from an ethnic standpoint but what I will label a "kindness" standpoint. The huge influx of people from other areas flowing in brought their ideas, viewpoints, and mannerisms with them. A lot of these folks are nice however on balance the scale has tipped negative in a big way. Rude, selfish, demanding behavior. Very materialistic. In general the numbers are growing of "not nice people" All of the above is not in alignment with who we are as people. We used to "fit" but we dont any more.
School overcrowding: 39 students and 1 teacher without an aide in my sons 5th grade class.
Job: All of the stuff listed in pros apply. However it is corporate america and its all about beating last years "comps" the pressure is nuts and because of this the corporate culture has also changed dramatically dispite them resisting this negative change with all there might. Market forces have put them in this position to compete. I am burnt to a crisp after 22 years and the expectations increase year over year. I am going to blow a valve if I stay.
So it boils down to this: Yeah its a really cool place but we dont fit here anymore. What was once a town that made us feel like we had a home, relaxed, at ease, enjoying life no longer exists. In fact it is sucking the life out of us.
Also, I can sell my highly appreciated home and pocket 350k tax free while eliminating my mortgage and move back to a small berg with nice people and a few of the recreational opportunites we enjoy. It may not have the beauty, or recreational opportunities but it will have nice people and I can be with the most important thing in my life. My wife and two kids.