Friday, May 1, 2015

Relocation Dreams

Linking up with MamaKat today for her Writer's Workshop.  This week's prompt was definitely meant for me:

You have to move away from your state in one month. List 6 destinations you wouldn’t mind relocating to.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.  This month marked my 11th year in Baltimore.  ELEVEN!  I moved here in April 2004.  Typing that out looks insane.  I can't even believe I've lived in the same place that long.  When I moved here at the tender young age of 25, I had no idea what my future in this city would look like.  I have a decade of memories here, some good and others not so much, but all are a part of who I have become.  Some memories are so old they are starting to fade away, and some I can hardly even believe happened.  What a crazy ride Baltimore has been for me.  But I've known for quite some time that my next chapter is not here.  So where to?  Here are my current fantasies:

1.  Southern California
This has been a dream for as long as I can remember.  I know it's expensive as heck, but can you really put a price on 365 days of sunshine?!  Quality of life year round is important to me and I'm pretty much done with Northeast winters.  There's a reason people in California are happier and healthier - Sunshine!  Like the ad says 'Happy cheese comes from happy cows, and happy cows come from California'.  Well, I want to be a HAPPY COW.

2.  Italy
Oh just one of my favorite countries on Earth!  A couple of years ago I actually looked into becoming a European Au Pair, but it turns out I've already surpassed the age limit?!  Rude.  Choosing a city in Italy would be the toughest part.  I have only been to a few on the mainland and a few in Sicily.  Perhaps my favorite destination was the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily.  I certainly wouldn't mind spending my days working in a seaside café in Lipari and perhaps meeting the Italian man of my dreams?!

3.  The Caribbean
Inspired by this article I read today as well as my general love of the beach.  I also just started reading this blog (http://www.moxieandepoxy.com/) about a girl who works on sailboats and travels to tropical destinations FOR HER JOB.  Sign me up.  Although I don't know a thing about sailing.  Maybe I can just get a job scooping (dairy free, vegan) ice cream like the woman in the first article.  If Vegan Treats wants to send me to a Caribbean island to open a franchise, I'M IN.
 
4.  The ATL
The obvious reason being my sister and 3 loves of my life live there, but it is also a pretty great city.  The winters are mild and the summers are just the way I like my men: hot and sweaty.  There are so many opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation, and the people are friendly.  What can I say, it's a real PEACH!
 
5.  Bethlehem, PA
No matter where I go, Bethlehem will always be "home" to me.  I really had an idyllic childhood here.  Although I loathe PA winters as an adult, as a kid no two words held more promise and excitement than these: SNOW DAY!  My closest friends, parents, sister and many members of my extended family live here.  It's the perfect place to raise a family and if/when I enter that phase of my life I hope to be living close to them again.
 
6.  ???
I'm leaving this one open-ended to see what else the Universe may have in store for me.  Perhaps the Universe has plans for me that I haven't even considered.  The only requirement: wherever I go must be cat-approved!
 
Happy Friday everyone.  Have a great one.
 
 
 
Play along!  If you could relocate anywhere, where would you go?!
 

 
 


22 comments:

  1. I am with you on SoCal and the Caribbean. Italy would be nice too, though we will be relocating to Spain in 3-5 years. Fun post idea!

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    1. I remember reading on your blog that you guys were planning to move to Spain in the future. That is so wildly awesome! I've only been to Spain once but from my short time spent there I loved it. The people were so warm and friendly.

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  2. I dated a guy right out of college from Bethlaham! Good choices. Not sure where I would go...Charleson maybe?

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    1. Hahaha omg what a small world! When I tell people I'm from Bethlehem I never expect them to know where it is, but surprisingly many do!

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  3. I am down with all of those (especially Italy and ATL and socal and well, fine, all of them.)

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    1. I hope one day we can rondevu in the ATL!!!!!!!!

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  4. I love your choices! While I wouldn't mind living in a beachy location, I think I'd prefer some wide, open countryside!

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    1. I've actually thought about living somewhere like Colorado or Utah where there's wide open, beautiful land.

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  5. That article was amazing. That chick is living my dream! I'd live in a hut with a sand floor if it'd get me to an island somewhere.

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    1. I know, right?! Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Let's open a vegan café on an island somewhere?!

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  6. These are all amazing options. I would probably relocate to the Adirondacks, which aren't far from me but are gorgeous and there is always something to do outdoors!

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    1. I have never been to the Adirondacks! Any place with lots of potential for outdoor activities is high on my list!

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  7. For the last year I've been having dreams of moving to London, which is certainly a weather downgrade from SF! Until I left Chicago for California, I never realized how important weather is to happiness. So wherever you end up, I vote somewhere where you can enjoy the outdoors!

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    1. You are so right Sabrina! Missing out on life for 5 months out of the year is starting to get to me. I'm not a bear; I really do not enjoy hibernating!

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  8. I seriously think about this all the time! I don't have a for sure location, but would love anything near the beach. Always been more of a beach girl than a pool girl. All your choices are pretty close to mine and love the way you describe ATL.... The way you like your men! Hahaha
    Melissa

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    1. Yes, me too! Beach over pool any ol day! Haha, glad you enjoyed my ATL/men analogy!

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  9. Hahaha, this one’s perfect for me right now because I’m going to be applying to residency programs soon! :P I’m basically applying to places in states where I think/know that I wouldn’t mind living in. :P St. Luke’s is actually one of the ones I’m thinking of applying to! :P

    California, Oregon, Washington, Texas (Austin), Pennsylvania, Arizona and Florida are on my list at the moment! :P

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    1. Oh how exciting! What an awesome opportunity to live anywhere in the country! I have several friends/family members that work for St Luke's and I also volunteered there years ago when I was still living at home. It's a wonderful hospital!

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  10. I spent a day in Baltimore a few years ago and enjoyed one of the best meals at La Tasca, overlooking the harbor. That was a neat area. I'm with you on Southern California. The weather cannot be beat!

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    1. Baltimore's waterfront location is probably one of the things I love most about the city. As a Pisces I'm drawn to water in any capacity!

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    1. I have never been there Jenny! But I trust your judgment!

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