This pandemic would not appear to be a time to make a major life decision such as moving to another state or changing jobs. Yet I know two cases where individuals planned just that.
It's called a geographic cure.
The first case was a teacher, a single woman, who was stuck in her apartment doing virtual instruction. She realized that the apartment was not where she wanted to be, basically because the volume of traffic through the lobby, lack of masks etc made her concerned about coming down with COVID. The city streets were no longer were exciting or sophisticated, just potentially dangerous. She wanted a quieter pace, a community, maybe a new job but where....and when? She reviewed in her mind the pros and cons, never coming to a clear decision.
Another case is that of an old friend from college and her second husband who have been nomads of sorts since they were married more than 20 years ago. Time is running out for them. I think of that game children play with chairs and when the music stops everyone rushes for a chair. There is always one more child than chairs so someone is always "out" because they don't have a chair.
They might be without a chair to land on.
These friends have always had plausible reasons to move. Health, mainly, She has a chronic condition where she needs a dry, desert like climate. Years ago, she divorced her first husband where they raised a daughter on the East Coast and went to graduate school in Phoenix. But Phoenix now has too much traffic. Tucson has too much crime. They lived in San Diego in a posh golf course community which I was sure they wouldn't like. They didn't. She has a sister in San Diego but is too "coastal" although considered desert. Also she has a grifter brother in San Diego who has spent his adult life after coming back from Nam not working, borrowing from family.
My friend and her husband lived in Las Cruces at one point which she hated and which had too much crime. Then they lived in a wonderful house in Albuquerque but Albuquerque had too much crime. They always did voluminous research. Decided to go to Ft Collins, Co for the climate and college environment where they thought they could avail themselves of cultural activities. This time they rented; they had lost money on two homes they sold. Her daughter, unmarried, has a serious terminal condition. They are helping her out financially. Sadly, I think they are running out of money as well as time.
Ft Collins hasn't the right climate after all, they are living on the third floor in an apartment building with 30 year olds "with 5 dogs each". They have made no friends. He doesn't like it there for reasons she couldn't specify. I think it sounds almost tragic.
As the saying goes, they are not getting any younger.
So she called the other day from St George, Utah, She and her husband drove 12 hours from Ft Collins and are staying in a motel for several days sussing out St George. Visiting with realtors, looking at options. They also are going to check out Henderson, Nev. while they are there.
Time is running out. Their lease in Ft Collins also is running out. Either they re-up for a year or move on. We spent 2 hours talking about the pros and cons of St. George. Pros: St George seems to have a dry climate and has lots of Mormons which means the crime rate is low. Hiking and biking is good. Scenery gorgeous. Con: what if they don't like it any more than Ft Collins? She would lose her doctor in Ft Collins which is important. If they rent, all the apartments they have seen are tiny.
I'd be panicking.....
Decision: She texted me today. They are going to ask for a month to month extension on their apartment in Ft Collins and look for a house to rent in St George.
I am happy for them.
I hope St. George becomes the home they are seeking but OMG no way would I move in this pandemic!!!
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