Starting a new chapter in your life can be difficult or simple, exhilarating or sad. Most times it’s a combination of feelings which depend on what you’re leaving behind or closing the door on. For me, starting over came in the form of moving out of the city and state that I was born, raised and got married in.
Being born and raised in Brooklyn was amazing and I feel so fortunate to have lived the life I did as a child. For those who haven’t grown up in a place like New York City, it’s hard to understand how freakin’ awesome it is to literally have the world in your backyard. When everything comes to you, you get exposed to so many different cultures, ways of life, religions, opinions and beliefs. Having that as part of my childhood helped make me the adult I am today.
Becoming a young adult in NYC was equally as fantastic because of the nightlife and clubs. Being a hard rock fan that meant places like L’Amours in Brooklyn or CBGB’s in Manhattan and going to concerts at Jones Beach, The Meadowlands or, the one and only Madison Square Garden. It truly was an amazing time.
But, all good things come to an end at some point and I’m not going to lie, life in the Big Apple can be really expensive after you’re on your own, get married and want to start a family.
I was lucky that my mom owned a two family house so we spent the first seven years of our marriage living first in the basement apartment and then to the second floor apartment. But after a while we wanted to buy a home together and start a family.
We briefly thought about moving upstate New York, because I was determined to at least stay in the same state, but that dream was shattered when they got seven feet of snow that winter. lol
At the time, my mother and her husband Tony were “snow birds” in Florida, meaning they spent colder months in Florida and the rest of the year home in Brooklyn. I also had friends that had moved to the North Central Florida so I was familiar with the area. My husband & I were visiting my mother during one winter and my husband Billy suggested moving to Florida. Long story short – we ended up moving to Ocala, Florida in 2002, on my 39th birthday. We moved four months after September 11 happened and to be honest, we almost didn’t move because we felt we were abandoning our city when it was down. I lost two friends that day and moving was bittersweet for me.
Starting over in another state was just what we needed, even though it was a culture shock. Florida is much more laid back and relaxed where living in NYC is fast paced and even stressful at times. Driving is different because people are not in a hurry and I had to learn not to blow my horn as soon as the light turned green. Slowing down was the biggest adjustment for me and still is.
I’ve never regretted moving to Florida, but I do miss NYC. It’s a part of who I am. We try to go back every few years to visit family and friends, but Florida is home now.
This #BloggersTalkingAbout series features amazing bloggers writing from the heart. Continue reading more by following these links. Starting Over by Joanne | Starting Again by Jenny | When It’s Time To Start Again by Traci | Making Mistakes by Karen | Starting Over by Alicia | Crafty Me by Karen | The Delicate Art Of Starting Again by Nikki | Starting Over by Brandy | Starting Over by Wendy | If you’re a mom/female blogger, join us in our group, Bodacious Bloggers.
I have visited NYC – when I was going to college in Nyack, a short distance away – but I’m just not a city gal! I was born and raised in the country and still prefer country or at least rural settings to urban/city life.I’m sorry to hear you lost loved ones on 9/11.
I’m not sure I could live in Florida, either – I also have relatives there, mine and hubby’s – but I don’t do well in the heat. I’m glad you were able to make the transition!
NYC really is an amazing place with such vitality. My hubby was from there and we lived in Queens when 9/11 happened. I, too, had fallen in love with the city and hated to leave but as hubby decided to join the military, we could no longer afford our condo and I wanted my family. I will always miss it.
Having settled coastally, though, I see the appeal of the Florida life. I am glad that you found a great place to raise your family.
🙂
Traci
I grew up in Florida – born and raised in the panhandle (Northwest part that’s actually in central time zone.) I’ve also lived in Minneapolis and Orlando. Big cities are enthralling – the world at your fingertips, the best restaurants, a steady flow of new and exciting people. I did miss that slower pace of a smaller, southern town, though. I know what it’s like to start over in a big city – and also in a small town. It’s a scary culture shock. People are different. Driving is different. Weather is different. Life is different. I’m glad you adjusted well to your new home.
That would be quite a change. The pace of life is so different.
I grew up in Flint, Michigan. I could not wait to leave Michigan. I moved as soon as I graduated at 17! I lived all over the south (even Florida!) and finally settled down in Texas. I miss moving and traveling. Man…I really do miss it. I would love to move to Montana. But, I married a Texan and Texans don’t tend to leave Texas lol.
I am so sorry that you lost friends in 9/11. That must have been awful. Sounded like you needed the fresh start. I moved from NJ to GA, then to CA. Each time, I grew as a person. That’s what change is for.