re: Have lived whole life in 50-mile radius or less for 80% or more of your life…

I haven’t lived in Alabama since I graduated college. Most people stay near where they grew up.

What a fricking disaster that would be. No fricking way. That's Louisiana dependency horseshite. My job won't pay me enough but I can't leave cousin Linda and maw maw, blah blah. Being bound to shite like that leads to a life of subjugation where you choose not to escape or better your circumstances, except in very rare cases.

Join the fricking Navy at least. Zero growth comes from sitting on your arse in the Parish watching Tik Tok and arguing over which Chevy dealer is less dishonest and which fishing hole is hot this week.

quote:

---

I feel sorry for anyone that has stayed in their home town

---

Why? I've been in the metro N.O. area my entire life. Found a good professiinal job and no reason to move far away. I work with and am friendly with people who have moved here from different parts of the country and from other countries. I have no problem relating to them. We get along easily. I'm also exposed to people from different ethnicities and income levels. No problems there either. I know people who have moved away. Their lives aren't measurably any richer than mine. These is no bubble in which I live. I recognize that amongst a hundred people there will be a hundred opinions even if some are only different in nuances.

Confirmed my political convictions for certain after having lived in SoCal.

Confirmed my convictions that resources are not all they are cracked up to be without outside capital invited to develop them.

Changed my view that Baton Rouge had more than smidgeon of Cajun whch it doesn't unless you are from Bawcomville or NYC.

Confirmed my view that NOLA has been and is still being strangled by generational elite.

quote:

---

adds depth to your life

---

Really like that

I've lived about 150 miles from home for around 40% of my life (33).

There's some great benefits and some downside for sure.
Location wise where I live now is significantly nicer, perfect balance of country and town and the town centre is still thriving unlike back home where it's dog shite. More to do here aswell and we love the area.

However I'd be lying if I didn't pretend I miss family and childhood friends. My wife is a similar situation but 150 miles the other way, so locationally it works for us seeing our families equally. It also sucks now we have a kid knowing our parents won't be as involved in his life as much as they or we would like them to be. We talk about moving closer to her side for more support etc. but haven't done it yet. I suspect we will do in the couple of years, definitely if we want a 2nd.

quote:

---

- Born in Charleston SC
- But then lived in France, England, DC for 6-7 years.
- Back to Charleston until senior year of HS
- Abruptly moved to country out in Natchitoches Parish as I turned a senior in HS. Man what a different world than suburban Charleston.
- Bounced around Louisiana, ending up at LSU until 1990.
- A few years after college, moved to Central Va.

---

RVA Represent!

Stayed in Alabama and partnered with my father and started a company couple years out of college. Wouldn't have been able to do that had I moved away. Working for myself has been incredibly rewarding, so trade offs. Done some great domestic and international travel with the wife though.

Raised in Mandeville. Baton Rouge for college. New Orleans post college. Back to Mandeville.

Then 3 years ago hit the road to take a risk on a very big work opportunity. Lived in Raleigh NC, Nashville TN, Austin TX, Update NY and Cherry Hill NJ. Been here in Jersey for just over a year. Due to family illness, just bought a house back home on the Northshore where we will be until the family situation runs its course. Traveling the country for work and living in the various cities listed above was by far the best decision I have ever made in my life. Granted I am heading home for a bit, it completely changed my perspective about how the rest of the country lives. It allowed me the opportunity to know what is attainable and where I want to be and the type of people I want to surround myself with when it is time to settle down and retire.

There is so much more out there. And I don’t just mean moving to Houston or somewhere down I10 in state. If you have the opportunity to get out, do it. You can always come back when you need to.

Perks from some of the places I’ve lived that the locals take for granted:

1. Raleigh- knocking off work every afternoon and heading to one of the 20 public golf courses in a 30 minute radius. Gorgeous fairways and perfect greens. Incredible weather so walking was the standard. Everyone is so into the game that all skill levels are welcome. Nobody had the new money look at me at my private club attitude. It was pure. Met some awesome people and never once felt like an outsider.

2. Upstate NY/Saratoga: Not having any idea how awesome tailgating for a huge horse race every weekend for 3 months in a row was. The most historic track in the country. Fine cigars and cocktails at every corner. The entire town is walkable and the weather never got over 70 degrees.

3. Cherry Hill: Hoping on a train for $18 to take you from your neighborhood to Madison Square Garden/ Penn Station for a quick day trip to NYC. Hit a famous comedy club then have some beers at the first Irish pub in America. All with the convenience of living in small town USA a quick train ride away. If that’s not your vibe, no worries drive 20 minutes into Philly and watch a Super Bowl winning season with some crazy fans that can’t wait to share the experience.


There are plenty of more incredible experiences and great memories made on the journey. It builds perspective. Perspective an extremely important trait to attain.