A thoughtful message about no matter where we go that anger, or whatever our internal issues will follow. Finding purpose and some good where you are is what will make the change. And yes, community.
A friend told me that she was journaling about all the places that she's ever lived. I found the idea inspiring. Fate and circumstance ushered me into a rootless, Nomadic life of longing for belonging, and wondering where that place of belonging was. From the time I was four until my late thirties, I've moved dozens of times. The angst of that is not nearly as profound in my eldering years as it was in my youth, nonetheless, I am moving again.
Though there is no perfect place; no place that ticks all the boxes; there are places that feel healthier both physically and emotionally. In this third chapter of life, my husband and I have been like two old cats looking for the right patch of sun. Age dictates that this will be the last move.
For us, we hope to land near abundant hiking trails and a close proximity to nature. Spirituality has grown greener in this third chapter and I feel the most at home walking through the woods, belonging to the natural world. Within the folds of that is a desire, is a prayer of purpose to:
". . . love more deeply, move your body more, pursue a calling, create a community and invest in it. Make more friends. Reach out to those whose yard signs are different. Learn to cook, perhaps." Just the right patch of sun . . .
Thank you for a thought provoking post, Julia. Sending all good wishes and goodwill.
Stephanie, before even reading your comment, I responded much of what you've said. It's nature for me as well and even though I can barely afford to live where I am anymore, I work hard to be here because of what surrounds me. 🌳
Hi Steph! Moving again? I’ve found political and spiritual community, nature, a sense of purpose and lots of sunshine, yet this may still not be my last place either….
I'm not in my favorite place now, but I'm 81 years old. My doctor, a hospital, a supermarket, shopping center, and other stores are nearby. The farthest I have to go for anything is less than 8 miles where I volunteer in a garden.
My wife likes it. (She's never been to New England) so we stay. It's good enough and the most appropriate place for us. We have two master bedrooms and we're upstairs now. When we can't climb stairs we'll stay downstairs.
So we stay. I'll live the life I want no matter where I am. That's important.
Julia, this post is incredibly well-written and presented. I think about this often here in western Camada. Yes I feel fortunate to live in my peaceful country but it, too, doesn't come without its issues. Mostly for me, it's cost of living which has reached an unmanageable state. Even basement suites rent for upwards of $2K/month.
You wrote, "This is where I’m planted right here, right now. None of my problems went away. I just get to work with them surrounded by big fir trees, caressed by rain. I choose to bloom." << That's one of my biggest reasons for staying put. I have nature all around me and I NEED it. I know first hand about how I struggle if I can't see trees, mountains, and be within a few minutes from the river. I'd move but I (and my dog) have best friends right here. At this age, leaving long-time friends probably isn't wise.
So true. I did leave friends, and while I stay in touch it was costly emotionally. I'm still working on new friends here; it's slow but happening. And by god I need nature.
"Wherever you go, there you are." I forget if that was Gertrude Stein, but it's a solid bet. If I were still of childbearing age I'd be beating feet out of Idaho but I'm not and there is much to be learned by living in a place that defies so many of the assumptions people make about it (except for the state legislature: that, in aggregate, is at least as bad as it's made out to be). Great piece, Julia.
Thanks, Jan. I hope I can stay. But in the vein of be prepared for the worst I downloaded information about Ecuador this morning. I'm going to keep a few updated files just in case, so that I don't get caught flat footed. But I much prefer to stay.
Moving sucks so much energy out of us and I just did it four years ago, but you know what, Jan, if that’s what’s required of me, then that’s what I’ll do. In the meantime I’m going to concentrate hard on making things work right here. I hear you about Idaho. I nearly landed in Boise. I’m not sure I’d have been terribly happy there, not enough trees and rain!
There's a lot about Boise to love, but if trees and green and rain are what you're looking for, this AIN'T it. Sometimes I pine (get it?) for my NorCal redwoods . . .
I've spent about a month in Ecuador and traveled to a number of the cities and it's remarkably cool. On the coastlines of course, very different. But as with any place, the moment you add mountains and altitude, the temperatures drop.
I have lived in the PNW for 35 years and never thought I would leave. My heart lives here, and I am struggling with the possibility of leaving the US because of the incoming nightmare. At 66, I looked forward to downsizing and leaving my rural homestead for an urban setting in the PNW. Not sure where I am going but I will be ready to exit if necessary.
Wherever you are in the PNW, it's expensive, but I have found heaven close enough to the coast here in Eugene. It's not for everyone; we have one hell of a homeless issue here. But every place has that, and some communities care more than others. Ours does, albeit clumsily at times. I miss rural life to a degree, but at 72 I have no business isolating myself too far out. So, close in burbs, but treed.
I live on 5 acres in the Columbia River Gorge (WA side). I am prepping to return to an urban setting as living on land gets a bit tougher each year. I am staying flexible and paying attention.
That rural dream dogged me most of my life, Sue. At this point it's out of the question but I'm very happy where I am, close enough to care but still feeling like it's the woods. Because it is. I look forward to hearing how you do all this!
There you go. We are doing well not inserting politics. Im sure we all have opinions about things. Come back and stick to the topic. I just sold my house in Southern CA. Headed up to WA. I, too love rain and trees. I'm 70 and while an introvert by nature am looking to connect w like minded seniors in the new town I am deciding on. Primarily looking to glide into my twilight years by the ocean and fresh air. Also getting me another pet or two!
Dear Julia— we made the same decision and moved here three years ago from Florida. The simple adjustment of moving across the country & leaving all my family and friends 3000 miles behind has been tough, but worth it so far. What a delight, knowing that you are a neighbor!
Indeed. This is why I ignore politics, let alone let it dictate where I live. I lean right of center yet didn't think twice about moving to Asheville two years ago even though it's heavily blue. Politics is negative energy and obsessing over it is a killer.
Interestingly, we moved from CO to Asheville 18 yrs ago and thought at our ages that was as good as it gets for us. I've lived on both coasts and in between and 7 yrs in Germany. This fall we were hit with a double bomb between the election and Hurricane...people that haven't seen the environmental devastation here in person can't imagine the scope of absolute destruction, entire towns washed away. Our old age paradise! Gone in a few hours.
It feels strange to realize we have run out of road and know that, realistically, there isn't a geographical fix somewhere else.
There isn't- but that also includes the uber rich. Their private islands are sinking. And even if they have a bunker, Anon, when they crawl out, what will be left for them to lord it over? Devastation. Yes, it is awful. I've lived through hurricanes, both growing up and as a homeowner. People really can't possibly fathom until it happens to them.
Your Ss is my discovery of the day. Can’t wait to catch up on your earlier posts.
I’m a native Californian, having lived in 3 cities: L.A., Seattle and San Diego. I travel as often as time and money afford, and I pay close attention to how people live. I know people living blissfully on a Midwestern farm, I know unhappy people in high-cost-of-living beach towns. I’ve never known anyone who cured all of their ills by renting a U-Haul and heading west or who found the answers to life in a plane ticket, though I love reading (and writing) about such things.
But as a lifetime west coaster, and by contrast, I know that environment and atmosphere undeniably help or hinder. Without access to large bodies of water, my life expectancy would drop, and I’d almost be okay with that.
The Eagles have a song, ‘The Last Resort’ with lyrics I’ve found too relevant:
“there is no new frontier, we have to make it here,” because wherever else I would go (Europe, Canada, Rosarito?) the world is still the same small town. Don Henley & Glenn Frey also write, in the same song, “Call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye.”
Anyway, I found your writing as succinct and insightful as an Eagles song :)
Our problems are problems because of who we are. When we move, they come with us. I'm 81 and I've experienced that. We're old. It's time for us to accept ourselves and live happily, wherever we are.
Frank, while I agree in many ways, many of your countrymen are emphatically saying DON'T COME HERE WE HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS. And you do: homelessness, cost of living, cost of housing, all of it. People aren't happy about Trudeau, the rates of anti-semitism are rising fast, many are angry about immigration. I'm not sure there's anywhere that doesn't have something that's challenging. Barring dealing with the loss of all my income, I'm doing my best to stay put and keep at it, and my life expectancy will likely improve as long as I stay positive and focused, eat well and work out. I hope!
Sure, I hear what you are saying, however much of what you are hearing is coming from a very conservative dominated corporate media. While very supportive of the MAGA influence down south they simply can not say things are alright up here as that would support Trudeau, and they hate that notion. And I have to say things are not that bad up here. It’s a game of perception, a serious game. Some people can and will wave their arms about and list the issues as you have and call them huge issues that must be addressed blah, blah, blah. But if they cared to look at that stats, like your brethren should, too, they scream and yell that they don’t believe the stats, it’s a conspiracy, etc etc… Trudeau has been a good PM, Biden has been a great president, both of our countries are doing well. But if you listen to the rhetoric of the extreme right in both our countries the end of times is nigh! Things are so good our complacency, and general goodwill, are being taken advantage of and sickly twisted to make us struggle against each other. It’s so hard to watch the Wormtongues do their dirty work. Thank you for your reply, hope things go well for you.
Thanks Frank. I was in Yellowknife not long ago and spoke with a bunch of folks, including some who live in Ontario. They were to a person blue voters, and they mentioned the cost of housing and the challenge of enough pay in the big cities to afford to live there. That wasn't conservative media, just folks trying to live. Trudeau's made some missteps like Biden has, as they all due, my god our countries are so massive and diverse someone is always going to be hopping mad. I'd add that I don't read Canadian media, and tend to listen more to the writers who post on Substack and speak to their lived experience there. Like I said, we have a lot of the same issues. These days I don't trust mainstream media much anymore- the rags I used to trust are bought and paid for, including most recently, TIME. Thanks so much for your thoughtful response.
I did the opposite. Seattle to Denver area. I LOVE Colorado. Wish I had moved 20 years earlier. Recently visited Family, and was reminded of how glad and much happier I am that I finally got out.
Thanks for the read, and I hope that many folks are as able as you and I to change their lives for the better.
We're moving back to Whidbey Island this month from Las Vegas. It's a no brainer for us. It's more expensive but you aren't living in a hot climate (most of the summer was over 105°) where drivers haven't discovered what turn signals are for. Daily life, no matter your age, is literally a rat race. Neighbors aren't friendly…in fact, I fought for two years to have my neighbors homeless son removed from living outside my dining room window. By the way…we have a homeowners fee to pay every month for that privilege. Are there some good people here …of course..and I don't know why they stay.
And then there’s me, who just left East TN (don’t even get me started) to start over … I’d absolutely love to be near Denver lol. Get me out of the southeast PLEASE!
My politics changed since moving to the PNW in 1998. We moved from suburban Washington County, OR to Clark County, WA in 2001. Has a business there for 21 years. This past Spring, we moved to the Texas panhandle. Not very green, but the skies are amazing and there are no chemtrails! Deep blue skies, big, fat fluffy white clouds. We live outside of town on several acres and share the property with roadrunners, deer, bunnies, and lots of birds. My husband says it is our own zoo. We have everything we need here but Costco but a trip to Lubbock solves that problem. We like to travel so we can still have mountains (four hours away by car), or ocean (if we fly). The cost of living is much lower and the people are incredibly friendly and nice. We do not miss nine certain months of rain and occasional rains the other three. Yes, we miss going to Seaside the week before Christmas. Maybe one of these years we will fly out and enjoy a week of winter on the Oregon Coast.
I highly doubt places like where we now live have lower life expectancy. There is less stress here, costs are lower, people are nicer, and the environment is very pleasant. Hiking abounds (the prairie is NOT flat! Lots of ravines and little canyons, plus Palo Duro Canyon!) all around us. Who ever did the survey should provide documentation of their findings. It makes absolutely no sense.
I found it fascinating for the sake of discussion alone. I also know that it's so individual, and they can't take into account the myriad stories each of us tells. My guess is that they were researching trends. The way I see it, a move TO a city would spell terrible health outcomes for me. So there you go.
I have lived in the PNW my entire adult life and don't want to live anywhere else.
Luckily - and I can't emphasize this enough - luckily so do my kids. Because at age 73, with a blind husband, I would never, ever, consider moving more than a couple hours drive away from my adult children.
Within my social circle I am seeing two sides of a coin: folks in their late sixties with ailing parents who live in another state, and folks in their eighties whose adult children live in other states. These can be terrible, stressful hardships for all involved when inevitable physical and/or mental health issues arrive.
I agree with not picking a neighborhood by the color of the yard signs. Blue Seattle and its suburbs are insanely expensive and traffic clogged.
So look to the Red, wide open spaces of the eastern side of the state: Ellensburg, Yakima, Wenatchee, Spokane. There are nice folks everywhere.
I used to live in Spokane. There is much to recommend it, but with all respect to the city, it has changed much since I lived there 1998-2000. In many good ways but boy did it get pricey overnight with the influx of folks. I did love the weather and proximity to Canada.
A thoughtful message about no matter where we go that anger, or whatever our internal issues will follow. Finding purpose and some good where you are is what will make the change. And yes, community.
Thanks MIchelle!
Is the point of this MAP©️
A lack of BLUE, OR
An Acronym Reference to
MoneyAndPower©️
Returning to Red?
A friend told me that she was journaling about all the places that she's ever lived. I found the idea inspiring. Fate and circumstance ushered me into a rootless, Nomadic life of longing for belonging, and wondering where that place of belonging was. From the time I was four until my late thirties, I've moved dozens of times. The angst of that is not nearly as profound in my eldering years as it was in my youth, nonetheless, I am moving again.
Though there is no perfect place; no place that ticks all the boxes; there are places that feel healthier both physically and emotionally. In this third chapter of life, my husband and I have been like two old cats looking for the right patch of sun. Age dictates that this will be the last move.
For us, we hope to land near abundant hiking trails and a close proximity to nature. Spirituality has grown greener in this third chapter and I feel the most at home walking through the woods, belonging to the natural world. Within the folds of that is a desire, is a prayer of purpose to:
". . . love more deeply, move your body more, pursue a calling, create a community and invest in it. Make more friends. Reach out to those whose yard signs are different. Learn to cook, perhaps." Just the right patch of sun . . .
Thank you for a thought provoking post, Julia. Sending all good wishes and goodwill.
I relate down to my bones to this.
Stephanie, I love this. On the day my mother sold it, I documented the empty house I grew up in. The images grow in strength as they, and I, age.
You're so right, "images do grow in strength" as we age. Thank you for reaching back. Julia's work always inspires such interesting conversations.
Stephanie, before even reading your comment, I responded much of what you've said. It's nature for me as well and even though I can barely afford to live where I am anymore, I work hard to be here because of what surrounds me. 🌳
Nature is the great balm, isn't she?
Hi Steph! Moving again? I’ve found political and spiritual community, nature, a sense of purpose and lots of sunshine, yet this may still not be my last place either….
Everything changes and ends -- and how wonderful to keep moving through life in a state of curiosity, self-discovery and growth. All goodwill. ~S
I'm not in my favorite place now, but I'm 81 years old. My doctor, a hospital, a supermarket, shopping center, and other stores are nearby. The farthest I have to go for anything is less than 8 miles where I volunteer in a garden.
My wife likes it. (She's never been to New England) so we stay. It's good enough and the most appropriate place for us. We have two master bedrooms and we're upstairs now. When we can't climb stairs we'll stay downstairs.
So we stay. I'll live the life I want no matter where I am. That's important.
Ditto!
Julia, this post is incredibly well-written and presented. I think about this often here in western Camada. Yes I feel fortunate to live in my peaceful country but it, too, doesn't come without its issues. Mostly for me, it's cost of living which has reached an unmanageable state. Even basement suites rent for upwards of $2K/month.
You wrote, "This is where I’m planted right here, right now. None of my problems went away. I just get to work with them surrounded by big fir trees, caressed by rain. I choose to bloom." << That's one of my biggest reasons for staying put. I have nature all around me and I NEED it. I know first hand about how I struggle if I can't see trees, mountains, and be within a few minutes from the river. I'd move but I (and my dog) have best friends right here. At this age, leaving long-time friends probably isn't wise.
So true. I did leave friends, and while I stay in touch it was costly emotionally. I'm still working on new friends here; it's slow but happening. And by god I need nature.
And thank you for the kind words!!!
"Wherever you go, there you are." I forget if that was Gertrude Stein, but it's a solid bet. If I were still of childbearing age I'd be beating feet out of Idaho but I'm not and there is much to be learned by living in a place that defies so many of the assumptions people make about it (except for the state legislature: that, in aggregate, is at least as bad as it's made out to be). Great piece, Julia.
Thanks, Jan. I hope I can stay. But in the vein of be prepared for the worst I downloaded information about Ecuador this morning. I'm going to keep a few updated files just in case, so that I don't get caught flat footed. But I much prefer to stay.
My gut tells me you'll get to stay. But if not, I'm sure adventures and a whole new way of being at home would await you in Ecuador.
Moving sucks so much energy out of us and I just did it four years ago, but you know what, Jan, if that’s what’s required of me, then that’s what I’ll do. In the meantime I’m going to concentrate hard on making things work right here. I hear you about Idaho. I nearly landed in Boise. I’m not sure I’d have been terribly happy there, not enough trees and rain!
There's a lot about Boise to love, but if trees and green and rain are what you're looking for, this AIN'T it. Sometimes I pine (get it?) for my NorCal redwoods . . .
Ecuador=equator=HOT!!!
Actually, not at all, because altitude. Much of the country is quite high, and much of it is springlike most of the year and quite cool. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Ecuador
I've spent about a month in Ecuador and traveled to a number of the cities and it's remarkably cool. On the coastlines of course, very different. But as with any place, the moment you add mountains and altitude, the temperatures drop.
I love that quote, too. So true.
I have lived in the PNW for 35 years and never thought I would leave. My heart lives here, and I am struggling with the possibility of leaving the US because of the incoming nightmare. At 66, I looked forward to downsizing and leaving my rural homestead for an urban setting in the PNW. Not sure where I am going but I will be ready to exit if necessary.
Wherever you are in the PNW, it's expensive, but I have found heaven close enough to the coast here in Eugene. It's not for everyone; we have one hell of a homeless issue here. But every place has that, and some communities care more than others. Ours does, albeit clumsily at times. I miss rural life to a degree, but at 72 I have no business isolating myself too far out. So, close in burbs, but treed.
I live on 5 acres in the Columbia River Gorge (WA side). I am prepping to return to an urban setting as living on land gets a bit tougher each year. I am staying flexible and paying attention.
That rural dream dogged me most of my life, Sue. At this point it's out of the question but I'm very happy where I am, close enough to care but still feeling like it's the woods. Because it is. I look forward to hearing how you do all this!
Eugene didn’t have that homeless problem until Liberal policies took over.
You spoke a fact. The author inserted politics when they said “I wasn’t happy about the election either”. That was an opinion/feeling. Spoke volumes.
There you go. We are doing well not inserting politics. Im sure we all have opinions about things. Come back and stick to the topic. I just sold my house in Southern CA. Headed up to WA. I, too love rain and trees. I'm 70 and while an introvert by nature am looking to connect w like minded seniors in the new town I am deciding on. Primarily looking to glide into my twilight years by the ocean and fresh air. Also getting me another pet or two!
Dear Julia— we made the same decision and moved here three years ago from Florida. The simple adjustment of moving across the country & leaving all my family and friends 3000 miles behind has been tough, but worth it so far. What a delight, knowing that you are a neighbor!
"Staying mad ages us fast."
Indeed. This is why I ignore politics, let alone let it dictate where I live. I lean right of center yet didn't think twice about moving to Asheville two years ago even though it's heavily blue. Politics is negative energy and obsessing over it is a killer.
Interestingly, we moved from CO to Asheville 18 yrs ago and thought at our ages that was as good as it gets for us. I've lived on both coasts and in between and 7 yrs in Germany. This fall we were hit with a double bomb between the election and Hurricane...people that haven't seen the environmental devastation here in person can't imagine the scope of absolute destruction, entire towns washed away. Our old age paradise! Gone in a few hours.
It feels strange to realize we have run out of road and know that, realistically, there isn't a geographical fix somewhere else.
There isn't- but that also includes the uber rich. Their private islands are sinking. And even if they have a bunker, Anon, when they crawl out, what will be left for them to lord it over? Devastation. Yes, it is awful. I've lived through hurricanes, both growing up and as a homeowner. People really can't possibly fathom until it happens to them.
Your Ss is my discovery of the day. Can’t wait to catch up on your earlier posts.
I’m a native Californian, having lived in 3 cities: L.A., Seattle and San Diego. I travel as often as time and money afford, and I pay close attention to how people live. I know people living blissfully on a Midwestern farm, I know unhappy people in high-cost-of-living beach towns. I’ve never known anyone who cured all of their ills by renting a U-Haul and heading west or who found the answers to life in a plane ticket, though I love reading (and writing) about such things.
But as a lifetime west coaster, and by contrast, I know that environment and atmosphere undeniably help or hinder. Without access to large bodies of water, my life expectancy would drop, and I’d almost be okay with that.
The Eagles have a song, ‘The Last Resort’ with lyrics I’ve found too relevant:
“there is no new frontier, we have to make it here,” because wherever else I would go (Europe, Canada, Rosarito?) the world is still the same small town. Don Henley & Glenn Frey also write, in the same song, “Call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye.”
Anyway, I found your writing as succinct and insightful as an Eagles song :)
Thank you so much for the kind words!
"None of my problems went away."
Our problems are problems because of who we are. When we move, they come with us. I'm 81 and I've experienced that. We're old. It's time for us to accept ourselves and live happily, wherever we are.
Want to live even longer move to Canada, our average life expectancy is at least 5 years more than the US.
Frank, while I agree in many ways, many of your countrymen are emphatically saying DON'T COME HERE WE HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS. And you do: homelessness, cost of living, cost of housing, all of it. People aren't happy about Trudeau, the rates of anti-semitism are rising fast, many are angry about immigration. I'm not sure there's anywhere that doesn't have something that's challenging. Barring dealing with the loss of all my income, I'm doing my best to stay put and keep at it, and my life expectancy will likely improve as long as I stay positive and focused, eat well and work out. I hope!
Sure, I hear what you are saying, however much of what you are hearing is coming from a very conservative dominated corporate media. While very supportive of the MAGA influence down south they simply can not say things are alright up here as that would support Trudeau, and they hate that notion. And I have to say things are not that bad up here. It’s a game of perception, a serious game. Some people can and will wave their arms about and list the issues as you have and call them huge issues that must be addressed blah, blah, blah. But if they cared to look at that stats, like your brethren should, too, they scream and yell that they don’t believe the stats, it’s a conspiracy, etc etc… Trudeau has been a good PM, Biden has been a great president, both of our countries are doing well. But if you listen to the rhetoric of the extreme right in both our countries the end of times is nigh! Things are so good our complacency, and general goodwill, are being taken advantage of and sickly twisted to make us struggle against each other. It’s so hard to watch the Wormtongues do their dirty work. Thank you for your reply, hope things go well for you.
Thanks Frank. I was in Yellowknife not long ago and spoke with a bunch of folks, including some who live in Ontario. They were to a person blue voters, and they mentioned the cost of housing and the challenge of enough pay in the big cities to afford to live there. That wasn't conservative media, just folks trying to live. Trudeau's made some missteps like Biden has, as they all due, my god our countries are so massive and diverse someone is always going to be hopping mad. I'd add that I don't read Canadian media, and tend to listen more to the writers who post on Substack and speak to their lived experience there. Like I said, we have a lot of the same issues. These days I don't trust mainstream media much anymore- the rags I used to trust are bought and paid for, including most recently, TIME. Thanks so much for your thoughtful response.
Yellowknife! Cool! Years ago took 14 of my students up there for a teacher and student exchange. We had a good time and learned a lot. I
I did the opposite. Seattle to Denver area. I LOVE Colorado. Wish I had moved 20 years earlier. Recently visited Family, and was reminded of how glad and much happier I am that I finally got out.
Thanks for the read, and I hope that many folks are as able as you and I to change their lives for the better.
by discovering nature, we discover ourselves
We're moving back to Whidbey Island this month from Las Vegas. It's a no brainer for us. It's more expensive but you aren't living in a hot climate (most of the summer was over 105°) where drivers haven't discovered what turn signals are for. Daily life, no matter your age, is literally a rat race. Neighbors aren't friendly…in fact, I fought for two years to have my neighbors homeless son removed from living outside my dining room window. By the way…we have a homeowners fee to pay every month for that privilege. Are there some good people here …of course..and I don't know why they stay.
And then there’s me, who just left East TN (don’t even get me started) to start over … I’d absolutely love to be near Denver lol. Get me out of the southeast PLEASE!
Thanks for your honesty—agreed!
My politics changed since moving to the PNW in 1998. We moved from suburban Washington County, OR to Clark County, WA in 2001. Has a business there for 21 years. This past Spring, we moved to the Texas panhandle. Not very green, but the skies are amazing and there are no chemtrails! Deep blue skies, big, fat fluffy white clouds. We live outside of town on several acres and share the property with roadrunners, deer, bunnies, and lots of birds. My husband says it is our own zoo. We have everything we need here but Costco but a trip to Lubbock solves that problem. We like to travel so we can still have mountains (four hours away by car), or ocean (if we fly). The cost of living is much lower and the people are incredibly friendly and nice. We do not miss nine certain months of rain and occasional rains the other three. Yes, we miss going to Seaside the week before Christmas. Maybe one of these years we will fly out and enjoy a week of winter on the Oregon Coast.
I highly doubt places like where we now live have lower life expectancy. There is less stress here, costs are lower, people are nicer, and the environment is very pleasant. Hiking abounds (the prairie is NOT flat! Lots of ravines and little canyons, plus Palo Duro Canyon!) all around us. Who ever did the survey should provide documentation of their findings. It makes absolutely no sense.
I found it fascinating for the sake of discussion alone. I also know that it's so individual, and they can't take into account the myriad stories each of us tells. My guess is that they were researching trends. The way I see it, a move TO a city would spell terrible health outcomes for me. So there you go.
I have lived in the PNW my entire adult life and don't want to live anywhere else.
Luckily - and I can't emphasize this enough - luckily so do my kids. Because at age 73, with a blind husband, I would never, ever, consider moving more than a couple hours drive away from my adult children.
Within my social circle I am seeing two sides of a coin: folks in their late sixties with ailing parents who live in another state, and folks in their eighties whose adult children live in other states. These can be terrible, stressful hardships for all involved when inevitable physical and/or mental health issues arrive.
I agree with not picking a neighborhood by the color of the yard signs. Blue Seattle and its suburbs are insanely expensive and traffic clogged.
So look to the Red, wide open spaces of the eastern side of the state: Ellensburg, Yakima, Wenatchee, Spokane. There are nice folks everywhere.
I used to live in Spokane. There is much to recommend it, but with all respect to the city, it has changed much since I lived there 1998-2000. In many good ways but boy did it get pricey overnight with the influx of folks. I did love the weather and proximity to Canada.
Have you heard this joke? Spokane is too Idaho for Seattle, but not Idaho enough for Idaho.
Also: Wenatchee is the Bend, Oregon of Washington.
Both make perfect sense!