Starting my life over from scratch this fall

[Kozworth]

Hello,

As of this fall, I think I am finally going to pull the trigger on something I have contemplated for the past few years: uprooting from where I have spent my 23 years at and going god knows where to start living a new life.

Just about me: Im a 23 year old single auto tech who has been living out side of the nest since 20, but actually renting for the past year. I have seen a lot of changes in my life (a lot of family changes, friends going away, personal interests) and I just feel that I am not happy with my life and a new start would change that. I have been in the same 5 mile radius for my whole life besides community college which was about 30 minutes away.

Now I am sure there are plenty of people out there who just picked up everything they own and went to who knows where. There are a lot of factors that lead me to want to go, with little to keep me in my area.

If anyone has any input or stories i would gladly appreciate it. I know it probably sounds a bit crazy or "desperate" of a way to fix things, but honestly do not feel like ranting every detail for the internet to read.

[e30vert]

Just do it. I left So Cal with a woman at 19-20 years old. Family was heartbroken and I only moved up to NorCal. Its 6 hours away. So its not like I moved to Tokyo or something. If family is important to you and in most cases it is just keep in mind how long it takes to get back to them to visit.

So with that in mind - think of what is the maximum amount of time you would like to have to get back to family. Say 8 hours of driving. Then expand your search radius to new places that you may want to "try out" that are within that 8 hours.

Get on the web and research what those places in the radius have to offer. Look at statistics like - median income, job opportunities, schools , rental costs , mortgage costs, crime, etc. Doing research up front is essential to a life changing move.

If you have friends within some of the areas that you researched then contact them and ask to flop on their couch or visit for a few days. Get the lay of the land from them. Rinse , repeat.

When I moved I had a support structure in place as my girlfriends family was all up in Northern Cali and she wanted me to move up here with her. So its not like I did not have any resources to draw upon. First few months we lived with her mom so we could take our time and find a nice place to live. Kinda ease into it. Abrupt changes are never fun.

Oh, Save at least enough to pay rent for 2-3 months. Moving just gets expensive as there are little things that cost and those add up.

Getting in the car and driving somewhere with 400 dollars in your pocket and no resources to fall back on is a sure way to make a U Turn right back to your little 5 mile microcosm.

Auto techs can probably transfer their skills to many major metropolitan areas and make a good wage. More rural areas would affect the pay scale some.

If you find 2 or 3 target areas . Put in a resume or call some of the want ads for help. Search Craigslist for job opportunites in those areas that are within your chosen field.

Start "reaching out" to expand your horizons. Its a good age to do that.

Wish you luck and should you make the decision to uproot I hope that it leads your life in a very positive direction. Dont expect miracles overnight as anything worth having is worth working for.

[aaron.j]

I moved to Hawaii from North Carolina at 19. Didn't know anyone. Do it

[Gary Horneck]

Good advice e30vert. That's what I was going to say. I have done it 8 times. Jam everything important in the car and hit the road with some backup resources. Will suck at first, but a new place and people does wonders for your head. Look at the southeast. Very little winter and a nice long summer down here.

[blizake500]

If you move to the south you will like it a lot. You would be in the bible belt here in Ga. Georgia is a great state with many opportunities. People down south will welcome you and make you feel at home. Just don't move to Atlanta. Lol

[mrsleeve]

We packed our shit and moved out west in Jan of 08, I took a traveling job and work all over the place mostly in PA/WV/NY since then. Best decision of my life, leaving the area I had spent my preceding 27 years with in about a 100mi radius.

[dirtbag30]

do it, i moved to 3000 miles away from home with nothing but a suitcase full of clothes and lasted 3 years. it was the best thing ive ever done.

good luck with everything

[Peterkaczynski]

Ever consider joining the military?

[Ray Smoodiver]

Yvan eht Nioj.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Do it man, you only have 1 life, too short to waste doing something you don't want to do. I am only 21 but I have done so much in the past 5 years. Cliche but true, If you asked me what I would be doing at 21 when I was 16.. I would have never said what I have been doing now.

I have been all up and down the east coast, lived in the Caribbean, been over quite a few places in Europe. Lived in 3 Big cities.. I will second what bliz said about Georgia.. I have been there quite a bit because my brother lives there (right outside of Atlanta) and it is very nice.

I lived right outside of Manhattan for a bit too, it is nice there as well but can be expensive, however lots of upsides.. don't need to own a car, walk / or take public transport everywhere. Growing up in Miami I never understood why people watched sports.. then I understood up north lol.. in the winter that's all people do get together and watch sports and have parties.

But you have to make sure you follow through.... don't be one of those people who always complain and talk about it, but never do it. Worst case you don't like it more than your current situation so you just go back. However in my experience the grass can be greener on the other side, if you are willing to let it grow. I am moving again in 2 years... where to is still to be determined but I can't wait(hoping to go back to europe). I love to expereince new things.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Do it.

[bikerbill2021]

moved to Phoenix for the hell of it when i was 23 from upstate NY. While i miss my family and friends, I love it out here, when you live in basically the tundra for 3/4 of the year and move to some place out west like Arizona where its sunny and perfect almost every day, its worth it

people whine about the heat out here, but honestly its really only a a few months of heavy heat, with perfect weather the rest of the year, its awesome

[Thizzelle]

I work with a guy from Ohio, he said it's awesome here.

[mrsleeve]

LOL @ upstate NY being tundra for 3/4 of the year 3 months tops I have been to upstate NY its the furthest thing form tundra

[sapurvis]

I moved from Alaska to California at 21 and after that on to Ohio and never looked back. I'm fortunate enough to be able to go "home" to visit friends and family, but I have no regrets. Although I yearn to live in Seattle/Portland areas and hope retire in the PacNW.

I say do it! If it doesn't turn out, move back, re-group and do it again. You never know how content you just might be where you end up. Your young so do it now. It is much harder to do once your older. Best wishes!!