I moved from southwest Wisconsin to Northern California in October of 2016. So far so good!
Why did I move? Short answer, I'm following a boy. I don't want to admit that, but it's true. Reason number two: to quote the Stark House, "winter is coming." Have you ever had to walk a mile in a Wisconsin blizzard to get to work? I have. It's not as much fun as it sounds. While my face goes numb because of the snot and tears freezing, my torso gets really warm, sweaty warm. And then there are my frozen arms and legs. My toes take hours to return to a color resembling a live human, just in time to gear up and head back home. Why not drive? Or take the bus? Because I feel bad when it's less than a mile! I can walk a mile! I just need lots and lots of layers and hot chocolate.
I don't have a job yet (are you hiring in the Bay Area? Call me). But I do have a boyfriend who won't let me starve and he'll keep a roof over my head. I also have a cat to keep my occupied during my internet job searches.
Common questions:
Why? I hate winter in Wisconsin.
Is it true you're moving for a boy? Yes, it is technically true that the only reason I'm moving to CA is for my boyfriend. But I'm looking at it as more of an exciting change for me and I welcome the perfect weather.
Where will you be? I'll be in Sunnyvale which is in the Silicon Valley/Bay Area. It's about the halfway point between San Francisco and San Jose.
Be prepared for how expensive it is. Not really a question, and I'm still trying to figure out how to respond. "I know, but my boyfriend makes a shit ton of money so I'm covered." Also not a question: The traffic is so bad out there. Insert weird grin and nod. "So I hear." Who cares? This is going to have zero impact on you. I know that I am moving to an expensive place with lot's of traffic. I made this decision for myself, not because I wanted to hear all about how it's all teeny apartments that cost an arm and a leg and full of cars. But I'm glad you like the weather there.
Won't you miss your family/me/us? Of course!! No matter what decision I made I'd leave a piece of my heart behind. So while my family are all in great health I will be in CA, should that change, I'll reevaluate, but of course my family is going to live forever so I don't have to ever think about it. And it's only a four hour plane ride, which is more like six-ten hours of travel time. Totally do-able!
What will you miss about Wisconsin? I'll miss my family and the ability to gather at a moment's notice. I'll miss friends and impromptu happy hours. I'll miss the great job that came with an office. I'll miss my personal trainer and our chats during workouts. I'll miss my walk to work (not in too cold winter or too hot summer). I'll miss cheese curds and the local beers. And probably the changing seasons.
What's your new job? I don't have one yet! Do you have a connection out there? On the flip side, if you know someone looking to fill my position as Marketing Specialist at a law firm in Madison, WI send them my way. :)
Will you learn to surf? You betcha!! I'm going to try at least. Sammy (the reason for my leaving, so now you have a name to put towards the feelings you are having) surfs every other morning and sees all kinds of sea life... sea lions, seals, sea otters, dolphins and whales.
Will I ever hear from you again? Yes. Probably... you can keep up with me here, since I don't really do a whole lot on Facebook these days. But I love snail mail so if you want a penpal, I'm your gal! Once I get to sunny California, I will hopefully take lots of pictures and I'll post on Instagram. I'll let you know how to follow mid-October.