Home Sweet Home or just a nice place to visit?

Nov 11 18:55 UTC 1994

I have done a great deal of traveling, but I find that where ever I go,
even if I really like the place, is not a place I could imagine living
forever or for the rest of my life.  My parents have begun to talk about
retiring in the perfect place, but I feel that the only place I could ever
live is the same place I have been living for most of my life, or at least
in the same area.  How do others feel about this?  Have you ever visited a
place that you felt you could call home permanently, or is three months
usually enough for you to spend in any other place besides your home?

response 2 of 26:

Nov 12 00:55 UTC 1994

Whenever I go to a place and stay awhile, and am happy I think for a while that
I could live there.  Then I leave, get home and relaize what the shortcomings
of living there would be.  But I always know that I can be happy almost
any place where there are people I love and things to keep my mind occupied.
My husband and I have looked and travelled for years all over the world to\
find a good Place (notice I didnt say perfect) to retire and as our retirement
nears, we realize that any place our children and grandchilren are, will be
a good place.  Of course, it will bet even better if the weather isn't as
bad as it is in Michigan in winter.  And as one groes older you have to have
a place that has relatively good health care.  And some good concerts or
plays or lectures.  And the ability to eat at good restaurants and get
the kind of food you like to prepare in the kind of stores you like to shop.
Right now, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco are looking mighty good to me.

response 4 of 26:

Nov 17 18:22 UTC 1994

I don't think I could live here for ever in Nebraska I will probally move
someday but for now I live here.  I have been to other places and I would not
want to live there, if I live anywhere it would be Colorado it is so beutiful

response 6 of 26:

Nov 19 16:32 UTC 1994

Yes indeed. Western Colorado has some of the best examples of the Rockies
in the US. Excellent for camping, backpacking, sightseeing in summer,
and skiing in the winter (now fall, too). It's basically gorgeous, and
famous (Vail, Aspen, Steamboat, Colorado Springs, Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park,
The Grand Canyon of the Gunnison, Pike's Peak, many more)

Eastern Colorado finally made it onto the map of people's consciousness
when Michener wrote "Centennial". It's a high desert. Higher and drier
and more boring than even Nebraska. Quite a contrast!

I assume Pamela was talking about some place in or near the mts.

response 8 of 26:

Nov 27 16:41 UTC 1994

I was born in and lived in New York City for almost forty years, Kimberly.  I
moved to Ann Arbor (which to me is still a small town) many years ago.  It 
took me about two years to adjust to "small town" living and I always
felt like I was going home when I visited NY.  Then, somewhere between the
fourth and fifth years here, Ann Arbor became "home" and when I visit NY
(which I still love) I am happy to get "home."  While Ann Arbor does not
have the variety of restaurants and theaters and musical events of a NYC,
I feel so much safer, laid back and comfortable here.  I know, now Iwould
never be happy living in NY again.  I would miss like crazy not being able
to go back and wander the streets, visit the stores I love and the theaters
I so enjoy and Lincoln Center. (Of course visit Zabars and Bloomingdales)
But it is just visiting and this is home.  It's not the country to most,
but every day when I commute between Ann Arbor and Plymouth on back roads,
I see sheep and cows, pass farms and little lakes, and it is as much
country as I would have ever dreamt as a child, I would have experienced.

response 10 of 26:

Nov 28 00:24 UTC 1994

The universality of experience is often very comforting.  In line with that
thought, We are thinking of moving further west to the Pacific Northwest when
we retire.  What are your plans after you retire, Rane?

response 12 of 26:

Nov 29 01:36 UTC 1994

A very good friend who still lives in NYC just called and invited Jerry and me
to NY for New Year's Eve.  We can't make it, however, the call caused a
 resurfacing of the excitement I always feel returning there.  I do prefer
going back in spring or fall.  I was there for a long weekend last summer.
Went to dinner and the theater on 46th Street and Broadway.  we parked at
about 54th and walked down eighth Avenue at 5:00.  You want to talk about
terror. . . .I couldn't wait to get to the restaurant and then to the theater.
And then, we had to walk back in the dark.  Fortunately there were about
50,000 other people walking with us at the time (:-)).  It was hot, dirty
and the potential for violence was all around.  Next time, I will stick to
the upper west side.  But I can't deny, it is exciting!!!

response 14 of 26:

Dec 1 00:59 UTC 1994

The area around Lincoln center always feels so much "safer" and better to me
then the Times Square area (probably no surprise to anyone).  I also like
the music better.  Have you heard about the big reception that the new
opening of Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close has gotten?  Makes me think a
trip back east would be worth the effort.

response 16 of 26:

Dec 3 21:15 UTC 1994

That's so true, for me, also.  However, I have found that I can develop mean-
ingful relationships wherever I live.  A place to live has to offer some
mental and spiritual stimulation for me.  That's what excites me.  Also
the physical beauty of a place (be it geographical as in the case of the
Pacific NW or man made in the case of Paris or Rome.)  

response 18 of 26:

Dec 15 03:49 UTC 1994

I went to college in the Boston area. I recommend it highly.
The cost of living there is much higher than in the midwest, though.
Check out the taxes and housing before you commit yourself.

response 20 of 26:

Feb 16 14:20 UTC 1995

This is my item and I felt like reviving it.
Those of you who've lived in NYC, do you still (assuming you're no longer
there) feel like you are a "city" person, or have you grown used to living
in a "suburban" or "country" environment?  Better yet, let's open this up to
everyone... is there such things as "city" and "country" people?  Which
are you and why and does it depend on where you've lived, or just where
you are now?

response 22 of 26:

Feb 18 01:13 UTC 1995

I don't mean city and country in that sense.
I mean some people say they can only live in the city because the
country is too quiet, or they can only live in the country because,
the city is too dangerous.  Can you live in both?  Or is everyone
a type?
Just a thought.

response 24 of 26:

Feb 20 04:07 UTC 1995

Okay... new survey.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where 
would it be and why?