Leaving your hometown: Is there really an advantage to wanting more?
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17385)
Canada
March 7, 2011 5:21pm CST
When I was young and in school, I felt I could never be satisfied with my home town. I couldn’t stand that everything was relatively small, and that I was not part of the people that made decisions. I couldn’t wait to get out and go to the big city.
I made sure that my grades were good enough and I would be accepted in a good university, in a big city. And after I graduated, and worked in that city, I still was not satisfied. I wanted to move here to where I am right now. To a bigger city.
Recently, thanks to Facebook, I’ve been in contact with some of my friends in high school. Most of these friends of mine didn’t have the ‘itch’ that I had. They stayed in my hometown and generally live happy lives.
It got me thinking, am I really better off in moving away? In wanting to experience more out of my hometown?
Did you leave your hometown? Did the big cities beckon on you? Are you better off now that you moved away?
2 people like this
13 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
7 Mar 11
Everyone is not cut out to moving from their small hometowns while others can't wait to get out and explore a bit more. I was born and raised in the city and although I am currently looking into moving to Eureka Springs, I am not looking forward to it.
The city if my life and somehow I can't imagine living in the country, maybe until I try it I would not know if it will be good for me or not. But my gut tells me that leaving my city would not be good for me because I am so use to the city lights and racket. Whereas in Eureka Springs I think I will be lost and sheltered and somehow I feel that this girl does not like to be hidden.
So until I decided and actually do the move I cannot respond; if I do decide to move I know it will be temporary because the city has my heart and soul.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
11 Mar 11
I think that is one of the disadvantage of not-leaving your hometown, and staying in a relatively small place. I think you become sheltered! And maybe some would be fine with it, while others would have the urge to see the world outside.
That was me. I wanted to see what is outside. But I think soon, I would like to be sheltered again. When I'm old and gray.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
8 Mar 11
Wait a minute! Ask yourself, are you happy now? Are you proud of getting those good grades and going to the good school and getting that good job in the big city?Was all this was just a fortune pi$$ed away? I don't think so. You followed your bliss! You Wanted out and got out! It isn't your fault that you friends were happy where they are. Everybody has a different definition of happiness. I Finally learned that! Before , I thought because I didn't want what others did , I was evil. Wrong. unlike you , I am in the same city, not too small or big, that I moved to when I was 8. I like traveling but This Is home. I never wanted college. So that good job is out too I am told. Big f@cking deal! I just got recognized for my numerous years of service at my job. I am happy. I just hope you are happy too.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
12 Mar 11
This is the touching part. I work for a State Government agency, and they have to cut things back because of lack of funding, i.e. taxes. We had to cut staff, I had to be " fired" and the re hired. My gig is on the lower tier. higher ups had a posh party and were formally recognized. Me? I didn't want that. So when my True anniversary , which is in July, came and went , I was happy No one knew! Someone in HR or somewhere else told my boss. She told the head of my place. My boss called my sister and asked what I would like. And the last Thursday, I was surprised with a party and cake and a movie card worth 50.00.I will never know who coughed up the 50.00. This beats a gold watch , lol!
It must be nice to have some people in 'higher places' truly care about you. And care enough to even ask what you really want.
I think I won't be cited for years of service here, as I am in-between jobs.
@ElicBxn (63639)
• United States
7 Mar 11
ya know, I didn't want to live in a big city...
Oh, visiting them was fine, but living...
I wanted to live in Austin, stay close and help my mom, stay on my home turf, so to speak...
But Austin grew up around me and now is the 15th largest city in the U.S.
So, while I didn't really want to live in a large city, I ended up doing so.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
11 Mar 11
I think there is something exciting about staying in a small town, and then watch it grow into a big city. Then at least you'd be part of its progress or development. I hope that is what you experienced in Austin.
This as opposed to just moving to a big city, coming from a small town.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63639)
• United States
12 Mar 11
There is a lot of truth in that. I still know my way around the older parts of town and just tonight I was speeding up Lamar enjoying the road and driving thinking that the freeway would probably be faster but not as much fun! And then I stopped for dinner at Sonic on the way in.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Mar 11
No, I left my hometoen when I went to College in London. I never really returned. If I am in the U.K. then I may just drive around the town and show my children where we lived and where I went to school etc. But I have outgrown it and would never return as my mother is no longer alive and my sisters live elsewhere. I will die where I am now living and that is okay for me. I always had a restless spirit when I was younger and would never have lived there permanently as I was so unhappy living there. So glad that I left. Blessings
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
11 Mar 11
I think if I am not mistaken, you're out in the island cynthiann. I think that would have been my second choice, instead of the big city. If it offered earning opportunities for me, I also would leave my hometown, and live near the beach! And maybe that would satisfy my restless spirit too.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Mar 11
I moved away but ultimately I ended up in the same state that I was so ready to run away from. Funny how fate brought me home though..lol...I moved around quite a bit when I was younger. I lived in the same place from the time I can remember until I left. Maybe that is why I wanted away so much. I don't live in the same town but I do live within 50 miles of it.
I think that it really depends on the person and to be honest, if you had never left, you probably wouldn't be happy either. You would have always wondered and that itch would have drove you crazy.
I think I am better because I left. I needed to go and I did. Coming back was good too though. I saw what I went to see and I sometimes still get the urge to travel..just not as much as I used to. Are you considering going back to your hometown?
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
12 Mar 11
Are you considering going back to your hometown?
Yes, but that is something further down the road still. When I'm old and gray maybe.
I think that 'wonder' of what it would be like if I never left would be eating at me everyday too. I'm glad that I did though.
@redandwhitescarf08 (128)
• Philippines
8 Mar 11
I left my home town when I graduated from college to live in the bigger city. It was hard at first since everything was new and I'm no longer in my comfort zone. Right now, looking back 2 years later I have to say it was a good decision. Leaving home worked for me and taught me life is indeed hard.
@dreamy1 (3811)
• United States
8 Mar 11
Yes I left my hometown and I'm glad I did. I lived overseas and had the time of my life. I'm not one who can stay in the same place all my life I like to move around. I'm now back in the same county as my hometown but I haven't lived in my homwtown for decades. I will move again eventually and it will be out of the state again.
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
8 Mar 11
Well, I really think that it depends on the individual, their needs, their wants, and such. Some people are perfectly happy with staying where they were raised. However, some people really are meant to move to another city. After all, we're all different, and we're all going to want and need different things.
@dainy1313 (2370)
• Leon, Mexico
8 Mar 11
Dear Bounce58 I´ve learnt something of life: I´m different at all. I say it in a humble way. I just mean that what is good for others might not be good for me, and vice versa. I don´t know why I have that spirit inside me, that my friends didn´t have. I moved away from my homecity, we live in a smaller city now. My friends (on FB too) still leave there, most of them, and they are happy. But I wouldn´t, since I was 15 I met this state with my parents, and I dreamed on living here with my husband. 8 years ago I moved my family here. Some times this city has kicked me off, but that would have happened the same if I´d stayed in the great metropoli, life is like this, sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down. Home is where Heart is. Blessings!... Dainy
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
8 Mar 11
I never thought I'd leave my hometown for the big city. But, here I am. My opportunities lay elsewhere so I had to find it. But, since, I'm really grounded, I often go home to mum and dad. My room still looks like my room, like I live there everyday. And, whatever happens I know I can bo back there. It was hard at first (leaving) but I got used eventually. I cannot say yet whether I'm better off here, financially maybe, but, I've discovered there are a lot more to life.
@tessa9 (1085)
• Philippines
8 Mar 11
I live everywhere. We moved around a lot because of my fathers job. But we always seem to end up in the same place. We have been living here for 6 years straight now which is not very normal. We have been living here for 13 years here on and off. I always seem to want to get away in this place. I always said that I would rather live in Europe or somewhere else that has something to offer.
I am in the process of migrating to another country since I am now legal, I'm 20. As I get closer and closer to living, I seem to miss this place more. I still want to leave of course but I am finally appreciating the little things here. They always say that you will never know what you got until you lost it so maybe I will miss this place more when I live. I find it a bit unlikely though because I left this country before but hey I was young then...
@aihiakashieka (47)
• Philippines
8 Mar 11
I live in the big city and I've always wanted to try living in the country area where there is little hassle and less crime :)
@hellokitty27 (26)
• United States
8 Mar 11
I grew up in a very small town, and as soon as I was old enough, I moved away. All of my friends stayed behind, but I was ready to move on. They love their lives in the small town, but I am very happy where I am and am planning on moving on to even bigger things. It feels good to go back there to a slower pace and it is truly comforting, but I always am excited to get back to my city, and convenience!
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
11 Mar 11
That is the big advantage of the cities! All the convenience at your finger tips. I think that's one of the reasons why I also moved in the first place.
But now I understand that it is also for the opportunities here in the city that it isn't necessarily available in small towns.
Thanks.
