Janelle’s Big Adventure
Do you all remember about a month and a half ago when I posted a blog post titled “Where in the World is Janelle”? And the answer to that was Beaverton, Oregon. My husband flew up to Oregon where he was interviewed for a job, and I joined him so we could check out the area and decide if we wanted to move from Southern California to Oregon. We really and truly fell in love with the area — it was beautiful, the people friendly, and just what we were looking for when and if we moved out of California. The interview went extremely well, and after a lot of discussion and angst and optimism, my husband accepted the job a few weeks ago . . . which means we’re moving to Oregon sometime in 2008. 
I have to take a deep breath here because the thought of moving to Oregon is both an exciting and scarey prospect for my husband and I, and even for my daughters Danielle (17) and Kellie (15). It’s an exciting thought because for years we’ve talked about moving out of Southern California because of how crowded it is here, the traffic, the smog, the fires, the extreme summer weather, the outrageous cost of living, and so many other reasons. We also wanted to take our girls to a place that wasn’t such a hectic way of life, as California tends to be. We wanted to be somewhere more country than city, more laidback than frenzied. And with this new job offer comes a complete moving package, which makes the expense of moving much easier to bear.
Now comes the scarey part. Every so often when I think of moving and living in Oregon, I get those nervous butterflies in my stomach. Why? Because we’re moving away from everything that is familiar and dear to us (mainly all of our family and good friends), and we’re chartering into unknown territory – with absolutely no one we know that will be close by. Don has lived in Southern California since he was born, and his family lives close by us right now. I’ve lived in Southern California since I was twelve, and my family lives close by us right now. Everyone is HERE, and no one will be THERE. No more spontaneous dinners with the families, no girls day out with my girlfriends, and my daughters are leaving that all behind, as well. It will be just the four of us, alone and on our own. Yes, that’s a very scarey thing to think about, when our immediate family has been such an intrinsic part of our lives for so long.
Don is leaving us in a few weeks to start his new job while I stay behind and pack up the house and get it ready to put up for sale (and it’s a HORRIBLE market to be selling a house!). I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about this new adventure of mine in my weekly posts, but I thought I’d share my big news for 2008.
Here’s a question for you all. Have you ever moved out of state or far away from family and friends to start over all on your own in a place or state you’ve never been? And if so, how was the transition for you? Did you adapt okay, or wish you’d never moved so far away?
I grew up in northern Minnesota, where the film “North Country” with Charlize Theron was filmed. It’s a lot of smaller-sized towns, kinda rural, and the (dying) industry is iron ore mining. When I was 16, I flew for the first time, and fell in love with the airline industry, so when I was 19, I went to travel school for 3 months, flew to Chicago to be interviewed for UAL, and got the job less than a week later.
I was young, it happened so fast, and I was traveling with another girl who also got the job. Sure I was nervous, but the way it happened made it easy to just do it, and I’ve lived here for 16+ years, no longer with the airline industry but feeling like I’m home. It definitely was the right thing for me, and though my family is still in MN, I don’t regret it for a moment.
Comment by Stacy ~ — January 3, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Janelle- I have moved over 30 times in my life. Some have been just locally and others out of town or even to a new state. I moved here to Troy 9 years ago after we got married. And like you, knew no one outside of hubby’s family (which was not a good thing, believe me).
I have always considered each move an adventure. I had to- I would have gone bonkers if I hadn’t found a positive way to look at the chaos that ensued with each move. Think of the new people you will meet and that you are not losing the ones that you know and love. They will just have to come and visit won’t they? All the new adventures you will have and I bet you will all make new friends quickly.
A piece of advice on packing- this comes from experience. All those towels, t-shirts, dishtowels etc make excellent wrapping material around breakables and also cuts the number of boxes you need to pack, move and unpack in half. Why just put them in a box all folded up when you will have to use bubble wrap or newspaper to pack up the glass, etc?
Also, try to pack the rooms in boxes by themselves and mark them. Have the movers put them in the appropriate room when you get there. Put the furniture in first and arrange it before you drop the boxes in.
Just some of the stuff I have learned over the years and moves. Have the girls go thru their stuff and find something special to gift to their friends.
And good luck on selling the house!!
Comment by ev — January 3, 2008 @ 8:31 am
:cold: :cold: :cold:
Since it is below zero without the wind chill, it needed to be said alot!!
:cold: :cold: :cold:
Comment by ev — January 3, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Congrats on the move & new job! Moving can be scary (you got some great packing advice already … don’t forget to reenforce the boxes with packing tape and look at it as an opportunity to get rid of stuff you don’t need …
Perhaps already start planning visits with your daughter’s friends for school breaks once the move is complete. With e-mail and all, ideally it will make it a little “easier.” Starting over can be fun, maybe check out the town’s community pages for things to do or activites you’re interested in on line so you can look into participating once you get there. It might also help you make new friends as well. Good Luck! :cold:
Comment by Yolanda — January 3, 2008 @ 9:03 am
About three years ago, my husband was transferred from the Seattle area to the Oregon area (where we live now). I vowed I would never move away from my family (they all live in the Seattle area), but the move has been good (okay, I didn’t have to pack a thing because the company moved us). They people are great….I have made a lot of new friends. We are such a mobile society these days, most everyone has ‘moved’ here recently.
Janelle, you can come over to my house for dinner after you move. We’d love to have you!
Comment by katie — January 3, 2008 @ 9:44 am
Janelle - Congrats on your new adventure, and congrats to hubby on his new job! I’m sure he’s very excited, and I’m sure underneath the anxiety, you and your kids are too.
I moved a lot with the kids when they were growing up. I grew up in Missouri but moved when my first husband and I got married. I’ve been to California twice and Oklahoma twice. Kids are very flexible and adapt better than adults sometimes and y’all won’t be that far away that family and friends visits aren’t doable. I think you’ll do great and it’ll be a wonderful adventure for you. And oooh Oregon. Fresh air and all that greenery and trees!!!
Comment by Jaci Burton — January 3, 2008 @ 9:55 am
Congrats on the move and the new job for your husband!!! I agree with the only pack one room in each box. I’ve moved 5 times since I moved to Nashville, and it is much easier to unpack when the boxes are in the right room. I even put signs up for the movers in my new place last time so they didn’t put anything in the wrong room.
I’ve never moved out of state, but my friends and I decided to move to Nashville a couple of years after we got out of college. I’m only about 2-3 hours from my Dad(West TN) and about 3-4 hours from my sister(AL), but I love living in Nashville…so much that I’ve been here over 12 years. I wouldn’t mind moving out to Franklin or Brentwood(just outside of Nashville), but I’ll probably wait a couple of years before I move.
Comment by Liza — January 3, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Dear Janelle,
Congrats on the job and move. I understand that with the decision made there’ll go on a lot of interesting but of course scarey things. I’ve only moved once in my whole life so I can’t give you a lot of practical advice. But I think Ev helps you a lot.
Ev, thirty times. That’s amazing. I think I’m not the person to move so many times. Because once being at a place I like to have a certain stability. It’s not only where friends and family are but also where you know where the next bookstore, shop etc. is. But I don’t want to scare you, Janelle.
Because I also think moving means a lot of great adventures. And you’ll surely get used to the new environment. As for friends and family: Thank god we have Internet and email. Of course, it isn’t the same as talking to them in person but you can hop on a plane when you want to see them. And then, I’m sure you’ll have a lot to talk about. And why not get to know a new environment? I think I couldn’t stand living in a crowded place like Southern California even if I can’t judge from personal experience cause I’ve never been there. But Oregon sounds great to me.
And it’ll be a valuable experience for your daughters as well. They will make new friends and I believe for kids it’s even easier to adapt to new surroundings than for adults.
Janelle, good luck to you and your family. I’m sure 2008 will bring a lot of interesting adventures to you. I’m looking forward on further updates about this situation.
Have a great day all and take care
See you
Vero
Comment by Vero — January 3, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Janelle,
When I was 23, I packed my bags and left my family in New Jersey to move to Texas because I was dating a guy that was moving here and thought he was the one who I would marry. Turns out, I ended up dumping him and staying in Texas on my own because I liked it so much. It was very scary in the beginning, because at the time, I only could get temporary jobs. Now that I’m older and married, there is a part of me that really misses my family and wishes that I had never moved because now my mom only gets to see her grandson once a year when we go visit. I also miss my brothers. They are younger than me so it’s hard to see them as grown men now with wives. I’m really glad that I made the move though because I have a wonderful husband and a four year old son who is my whole world.
Comment by Janet — January 3, 2008 @ 11:15 am
Ev — thanks for the packing advice. It’s already started. I’m going from room to room and getting things packed — then marking the boxes. I hadn’t thought about using dish towels and similiar items to pack! More great advice! I can’t imagine moving 30 times. Oy!
Katie — Where in Oregon do you live?
I do have to say that the internet is a wonderful thing for keeping in touch with people, so I know that will help, too!
Comment by Janelle — January 3, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Janelle, you know my story about moving to Georgia and under the circumstances, you don’t want to hear it again.
In my case, you can take the girl out of Florida, but you can’t take the Florida out of the girl. But I had NO yearning to move like you have…that will make all the difference.
Besides, I’ve always wanted to go to Oregon. I hear they have awesome wine.
Comment by Julie Leto — January 3, 2008 @ 11:52 am
I was born in Abilene, Texas. My younger brother (by 2 years) was born in Seattle, Washington. My youngest brother and sister (by 8 years and 10 years) were born in Albany, Oregon. I went to kindergarten and first grade in Texas, second, third, and fourth grades in Oregon, then divided fifth - twelfth grades between two different Texas cities, moving my junior year of high school.
All that childhood moving made it easy for me to move my own kids from the ONLY school district they’d attended to a new city when they were teens. It’s always scary, but it’s also always a fun adventure. And for us, it’s always turned out for the best.
I LURVE Oregon. My parents return yearly to visit long-time friends, and even lived their again for quite a few years after I’d moved out and had a family of my own. We/they always lived in the Salem/Albany area.
Comment by Alison Kent — January 3, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Congrats on the moving and the new job for your husband! I lived in the same house my whole life until I went to college… And even then I couldn’t leave the state. All my friends said they would leave South Dakota after graduation, but we’re all still here. My most recent move was 30 miles from my childhood home to live with my husband.
While I loved the security and comfort of living in one place, I think it would be very exciting to move to an entirely new state. (Right now, during a South Dakota winter, I’m thinking Hawaii sounds nice…
Good luck with your move and here to a whole new set of adventures!
Comment by Michelle N — January 3, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
Janelle,
Congrats on the move and the promotion for your husband!!!
I moved from Delaware to Minnesota in 2001 after(shy) meeting my husband on the (gasp!) internet!! I moved away from my friends and family, my daughter was 7 at the time. It was a bad time when I left, but we’ve reconciled since, and I haven’t regretted moving here and I love the area I’m in, Southeastern Minnesota. :cold: But, I’ve adjusted, lol…. anywho… CONGRATS!!!!!!
Donna
Comment by Donna — January 3, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
First, congrats to your husband on his new job. How exciting and scary all at the same time! I was with my husband last year in Oregon - he was there on business and we made it a vacation on the drive back with the kids along the coast. Oregon is lovely - I told him I wanted to move there some day. So I envy you that!
I moved away from all of my family and friends 12 years ago to start over, so to speak. I’m five hours from my hometown which isn’t so bad but it was still hard to be by myself with no family to count on. But after a while, I made friends and I realized that I felt at home. It’ll happen for your family eventually.
A new adventure!!! Think of it that way!
Comment by Karen Erickson — January 3, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Janelle,
I grew up in the military so we picked up and moved every three years. Most of the time we were overseas. I had to leave alot of friends behind but I also met alot of new people who became friends . I treated each move as if it was a great expedition and threw myself into learning the area and in some cases the culture. I look back on those times and realize that they were some of the best times I had growing up.
Comment by Carol R — January 3, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Janelle, Congrats on Don’s new position! Finding a new job these days is really difficult (my son has either been downsized or the companies have closed 8X). However, it’s great that you both loved OR, & that the people were friendly. Living in SoCal I can understand your trepidation–nowhere else is like living in this large metropolis (I wouldn’t move, as I would never take my handicapped daughter’s school from her). However, as you mentioned, there are downsides, & I’m certain you will all make new friends. Fortunately, you won’t be too far to fly, relatively inexpensively, to visit your families & current friends.
I always think, bookwise, & I’ve been told that the most readers reside in WA & OR, so, hopefully, this will increase your readership. I will envy you the many UB stores I’ve heard are there, as I think in LA, we lag behind other cities. I know many of the writers aren’t too fond of UBSs, but, I’ve discovered the writing of all of the 4 of you from used books found there. (I’m always looking for backlists–LOL.)
I’m impressed what great moving advice you’ve received from the gals here, & know that the daunting packing, selling, & moving will be worth it. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the move will go as smoothly as possible, & I’ll look forward to hearing all about it, as you move forward. (I still laugh at some of Leslie’s travails, while preparing to leave FLA.)
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — January 3, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
Have fun on your adventure! I left South Florida after a hurricane season with four major hurricanes, one of which took chunks of my roof and made it rain in my kitchen.
So I moved to Virginia . . . started over . . . and am a thousand times happier–the pace sutis me, I love having the change of seasons again, being driving distance from NY (albeit a long drive) . . . it’s been an adventure with a happy ending.
AND . . . I think the thing about technology is that we’re all closer than ever before–between I.M.-ing, emails, phone, cellphones, text messages . . . distance doesn’t seem as big as it used to.
E
Comment by Erica Orloff — January 3, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
The day after I graduated high school (seriously) my now husband and I moved to his hometown in Mississippi. I had rarely been out of Georgia and never for long periods of time so it was a new experience I was looking forward to and dreading at the same time. I still miss home and would love to go back (mainly because my family and friends are all up there) but MS isn’t too bad of a place and it’s been three years now.
Comment by Ladytink_534 — January 3, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Janelle: I actually live across the river near Vancouver, WA (we consider ourselves to be a ‘bedroom community’ of Portland…hubby works in Portland).
Yes, the Willamette Valley has YUMMY wines; Portland has POWELL’S bookstore (have not been, yet, but I have heard it is awesome!!!!); wouldn’t suprise me if WA and OR have a ton of readers (we like to think we stay in from the rain and read!); plus, you have TONS of Starbuck’s (more so than anywhere else!), but best of all, you are coming to my house for dinner! I am so totally serious. The four of you need to have a retreat in Portland and come to dinner at my house! So serious, not even funny….you can meet my wacky boys!!
Comment by katie — January 3, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Janelle,
Congratulations on Don’s new job and your exciting move!
I moved from Georgia to Colorado in 1987 without a job, a place to live or knowing anyone here. I moved because I couldn’t make anything in my life work–not professionally or personally.
This may sound corny but I knew I wanted to live here when I was 15 and watched John Denver specials on TV. I looked at that gorgeous backdrop of snow covered spruce and pine and knew I had to live here. I came out for a week to drive around and when the plane landed at the old Stapleton airport and was taxiing in and I saw the mountains, a sense of peace settled over me. I know I was home. I was never scared or nervous, I just knew this was the place I had been looking for my whole life.
I’ve been here 20 years and coming here was the best thing I’ve ever done. Colorado has brought me more happiness than I ever thought I would have in this life. My life actually began at age 31 when I moved to this beautiful state.
So, Janelle, think of your move as a grand, exciting adventure, another perhaps better and more glorious chapter in your life. A couple of nights ago there was a show on the History channel about Oregon and everything about it was positive.
A side note: Less than a year after I moved here I met my husband and since he can draw really well–he used to be a cartoonist, I asked him to draw a picture of Don Quixote for me and he did. It is framed and hangs on the landing on our stairs. He is wielding his sword at a windmill with his horse rearing on his hind legs ready to attack. I wanted him to draw this for me because Don Quixote represented me battling and defeating all of the negative things in my life, the jobs and relationships that I couldn’t make work no matter how hard I tried. But coming to Colorado, I defeated them all and now I truly have a wonderful life. :-)
Cher
Comment by Cher — January 3, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Don’t be afraid, Janelle. Look at it as “Janelle’s Big Adventure”!
Did it twice. First time I was single, two weeks post college graduation. Moved from NY to OH. Didn’t know anyone. Didn’t have a car. Had to walk and take buses and learn my way around. Didn’t help that first day the newspaper headline was “KKK Member runs for City Council”, given that I’m an African-American woman. But the Klan member lost and I went on to enjoy almost ten years there.
Did it again four years ago. This time moved family from NY to FL. Hubby and two sons at the time. Turned up pregnant with third (NOT part of the plan) 4 weeks later. Still adjusting because it’s a different ball game with a family in tow. But still worth it. Some bumps in the road, even fell into a few unforeseen crevices, but overall a better life, which is what we wanted and what you and your family are in search of.
It will be different. Seriously curbed our going out as a couple, since our kids are younger and we relied more heavily than we realized on family and friends. Meet lots of great people but it takes longer to make friends I think as an adult with a full life of your own that may not mesh with the lives of those you encounter.
But this year, our 4th Christmas here, we had a great time. It finally felt like home. And given time, Oregon will feel that way for you too.
PatriciaW
Comment by Patricia W — January 3, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Oh Janelle, how exciting. It sounds like you’ve been wanting to move but maybe wouldn’t have made the move on your own so the Universe nudged and then supported you in making those desires reality.
And I completely understand. In ‘92 I was living in Tucson, AZ. For a while I’d been feeling like I needed to move back to a small town to raise my son (who was 5) but wasn’t really sure where to go. I ended up coming to NC to visit a friend and immediately knew this was where I was supposed to be.
I packed up everything that would fit in my Mustang and moved. By the time I actually moved my friend and I had fallen out and so when I got here I didn’t know anyone! No family, no friends, nothing. But I used the time alone to do some work on myself, things I needed to deal with and then 3 months later I met hubby.
I’m so excited for you and will send you lots of good energy to make it fun and not so scary for all of you!
Comment by Jodie — January 3, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
Janelle, that’s wonderful news! Congratulations to Don. I’ve lived in So. Cal my whole life and my husband and I often talk about leaving for the same reasons you mentioned. We almost moved to Portland about ten years ago but it didn’t work out. Oregon is beautiful and it sounds like it’s meant to be. I wish you and your family the very best while you make the transition and just think how much fun it will be to get to visit California to see family and have family come to visit you.
Comment by Robin — January 3, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
I was born an army brat so have done a lot of moving around in my lifetime and I have one bit of advice for you - that is make friends with the local people sooner rather than later and make sure you explore the surrounding area whenever you can. That will help you ‘feel at home’ very quickly
Comment by Ilona — January 3, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Janelle, I understand your angst but trust that you’ll end up happy. I know you’ll love it there. Just wait for that first morning when you wake up to SNOW!! Doesn’t happen often, which makes it all that more exciting.
The Beaverton/Hillsboro area is beautiful. You’ll love Seaside and the drive to the coast, the beauty up the Columbia River, BC and Vancouver just a short drive away. And you’ve already got a bit of a head-start on normalcy because a lot of your writing friends are out of state anyway. We’ll all be here just where you’ve always found us.
Yes, I moved out of state twice, the last time being from Hillsboro to San Francisco, but that doesn’t really count because I was 20 at the time. And I admit, it has been hard over the years having my family up there while I’m down here. Conversely, when they all start complaining about each other, I smile and enjoy the fact that I’m not involved. LOL!
But it’s an easy flight from Portland to San Diego, and when you come down to visit family (or visa versa) you really visit, not just for the few hours here and there while you’re juggling your regular life.
I’m excited for you! So many things to explore and so many places to go. And you get to do it at a time in your lives where you’re still young enough to enjoy it and your kids are old enough to enjoy it with you.
Congrats! I can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
(Oh, and BTW, I just sold my house in this horrible market in what they claimed was the most difficult price range and we sold in 45 days. Yeah, we had to come down on the price, but there are buyers out there and you’ll get more for the dollar where you’re going.)
Comment by Lori Borrill — January 3, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
In 1995, I did close to what you are doing - I moved from Southern California to Seattle, Washington. I knew one person up here and had no job. My ex had custody of our son and I really wanted to move into the computer industry and get out of CA. I grew up in Ventura and moved to LA when I went to college so I’d lived there pretty much all my life.
I’m REALLY glad I did. For all the frustrations of the move, I love it here and it would take more money than I could possibly be worth to move back to CA.
I missed a few people but very quickly made new friends. I think people are naturally more friendly than in CA on average. People actually stop to help you if you’re in an accident or your car breaks down. There are GREEN trees that aren’t palm trees.
It did take me a few years to get used to the cooler weather.
My biggest frustration was actually that it’s harder to navigate on the roads because I was used to the grids of the So Cal cities and most of the Northwest ones are far more organic and confusing.
My mother lives in Portland - In Hillsborough, near Beaverton. Maybe we can meet for coffee when you’re moved and I’m down for a visit. It’s only 3 hours from Seattle to Portland!
Comment by Maura Anderson — January 3, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
When I was 11, my mom and I moved to the US, leaving behind all my friends and family, I haven’t seen them in years. I only have my parents with me here and sometimes it is the loneliest thing ever. I think I took the move fairly well considering I was so young.
At least you’re not moving from one country to another, believe me I’d take changing states than countries any day. Your family and friends can go visit you and vice versa.
Comment by Wendy — January 3, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
Best wishes Janelle! Congrats to your hubby on his new job.
I’ve lived in the same place forever and so has my hubby along with our families. I’d look at it this way - consider it an adventure. This is the approach I’d take if the same thing happened to my family.
Good luck and I’m sure everything will work out fabulously!!
Boston started out in the single digits temperature-wise this morning! :cold:
Comment by Carolyn A. — January 3, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
It sounds like there are a lot of us in the PNW…we should have a PM party in the middle!
Comment by katie — January 3, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Janelle, you know I’m sending really positive thoughts and vibes your way. Selling a house right now really is not fun, but think on the positive side–buying on on the other end should be great!
I know you’ll miss Don, but you’re such a strong, bonded family. I am sure you’ll come through it just fine!!
:cold:
Comment by Leslie — January 3, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
Forty (yes, 40) years ago my husband (now ex) & I packed up & left Oregon for northern California. I have no regrets, have loved living here but fall in love with Oregon again, anytime I’m there for a visit. I still have family & friends there in various places. I was born in Medford, grew up there & lived there all my life except for a brief few months in Portland where my oldest daughter was born. That daughter now lives in Eugene. There will be huge changes and like anything else in life pluses & minuses! I think you will love Oregon, that area has lots going on for it & if your attitude is positive it will all be okay. When I first moved here I was so homesick!! Didn’t know anyone & although my 3 year old daughter was advanced the conversation was still limited!! Loved my husband coming home for lunch, another adult!! It took awhile to become aquainted with others but all in all I have made wonderful friends a long the way & love this area. It would make a good “Plotmonkey” weekend!! Wine country, Sonoma county!
It is going to be interesting to hear about your adventures as you make this change. I look forward to you sharing stories with us & who knows maybe it will give you an idea for a new book! Best of luck on selling your house & finding a house you love in Oregon. Since you live in Southern California the weather will be a big adjustment but you will acclimate.
I have no advice on moving- - -it is a four letter word!! Others have already given you some great advice. Move only what you really need, my family & myself are keepers, not a good thing!!!
Best of luck, enjoy the adventure.
Take care,
Donna M
Comment by Donna M — January 3, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
Congrats, Janelle, to Don and your whole family! It sounds like a fantastic opportunity and adventure for you all! I have no moving advice, having lived in the same 30 mile radius or so my entire life. (Plus, I’m a horrible packrat, and the mere thought of moving has me hiding under the bed–well it would, if I moved all my books out from under first!)
I’ll look forward to your updates
Comment by Fedora — January 3, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I lived in Oregon most of my life and most of it in a small town in Oregon, Lebanon…. When my husband got a job in Washington I had to move a teenage daughter (oh the drama and sadness there) packed up a whole house mostly by myself, moved a four year old, leave a thriving home day care business where I had cared for some since they were babies (oh the tears) and find a place that would take a dog! We love Washington now but let me tell you, Oregon has a place in my heart forever. Enjoy the Oregon coast because if we ever make enough to buy a house to retire in, that is where I will be. Cannon Beach and Lincoln City are favorites….Newport is okay but commercial. Check out Beverly Beach and don’t you dare miss seeing Crater Lake. I took my family there two years ago. Awe-inspiring.
It is tough and especially hard on me and my oldest daughter as we are not that social. Thank God for the internet and all the friends and contacts I had there so I felt like I was taking friends with me. I also have a myspace page and use it to post pictures for our far away family and friends.
Plus being here between Tacoma and Seattle has so many exciting places to see that it has been wonderful in different ways. I love being near a big city and oh, Portland is GORGEOUS at night! Enjoy.
Comment by kriss — January 3, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
:cold:
Janelle, Congrats to your DH on the new job. I hope it all goes well. My husband and I moved away from friends and family 8 yrs ago when we got married. We now live 200 miles away (or about 3 hrs). I have to say at times it is very nice to live 200 miles away. It is close enough that when emergencies happen we can easily go home. However we are able to stay out of the “family drama/bickering” that occurs in any family. We travel home 8-9 times a yr.
Adjusting to a new hometown had its challenges however. My husband and I both tend to be introverts so we really had to make an effort to make friends. It also took a little while to find a church that felt like home. While it took a little while to adjust I think it was definitely worth it. We have made great friends, have a wonderful church family, and don’t have to deal with “big city” headaches. Overall, I am very happy with the move and would not mive back if the option arose.
Best of luck to you all.
Comment by Kelly H — January 3, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
The farthest from family I have ever moved is 150 miles.
Janelle, you will love living in Oregon. The people are friendly and you and your girls will make new friends.
Plus, we don’t have a sales tax!
Comment by Estella — January 3, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
Lori Borrill - was that little blip about the snow supposed to be a good thing?
For someone who despises cold weather (that would be me) that would not be a selling feature! 
Comment by Jodie — January 3, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
Hi I lived in Oregon from age 12 to age 19 my parents still live there a small town near Beaverton I moved away to Washington to get away from the small town but it was close enough to go back to if I needed to I was 19 and just finished cosmetology school the move was good for me eventually I met my husband and we have 2 kids we lived in Wa for 11 years when a year ago my husband got the oppoertunity to move back to Florida where he is from we’ve been here a year and I’m still adjusting I gave up my career and have been lost and though I could find a salon to work in I’ve felt that there is something else I needed to do so I have strugled hoping for some sort of light bulb to go off in my head it wasn’t till I started reading again I had stopped reading and writing to live life and I forgot how much I enjoyed both and that’s when the light bulb went off so though I miss everything about Washington a small part of me is glad that we moved so I can take the opportunity to try something new. I know that you will love oregon
Comment by Michele — January 3, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
LOL Jodie. For me, snow always meant school closures!! I think that seared it into my brain as a good thing. LOL!
Comment by Lori Borrill — January 3, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Oregon is one of a very few places I have considered moving to if, and when, I am on my own again, and want to start anew. TN is another- we went to Nashville and Chattanooga on our honeymoon and I fell in love with both. Besides, it’s close to a big Army base (as the crow flies anyway).
I deal with Powell’s online and reccommend it alot to customers. I would love to get to see the brick and mortar one someday. I can do without Starbucks, and considering Seattle’s Best is what we have at the store and I like, is amusing. (they are the same company).
30 times is a lot- some were local, but still had to move it all, and others weren’t. Now I am 2 1/2 hours from home, which as someone else stated, has its’ positive points on the drama side. If I were to move now, it would take years to clean this house out. Not only have I and daughter- and all the accumulated crap that came with us-been here almost 10 years, but the house was originally owned by hubby’s mother, then hubby and his late wife raised their 4 kids here off and on over the years- depending on where the Army sent them. So ALL that stuff is here too. I literally live in a house full on antiques. Some of them I like. Including hubby.
Now of course I would also have to add 3 cats and 2 dogs into the move mix.
Comment by ev — January 3, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
Hi Janelle,
I just wanted to say good for you for packing up the life you know and moving someplace new and scary. I have lived in Bend, Oregon practically my whole life, my parents moved us up here from Southern California and literally have never looked back, compared to Oregon Southern California was awful!!! Good luck!!!
Comment by Becky — January 3, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
Lori - isn’t it funny how things change. I remember looking out the window and watching the snow come down in the street lights and praying for lots of it so I’d be out of school.
Now, I see it snowing and think, “Oh, Sh*t, please don’t let the kids be out of school tomorrow?!” And in Eastern NC it doesn’t take much for them to close the schools. Funny how I think soooo differently about it now!
Comment by Jodie — January 3, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Hi everyone…
Janelle, I have moved som many times it is not funny…mostly because I was running away from something…
The first time I moved, it was to come to America…I was born in Jamaica WI and I loved it there…everything I had and all the people that I loved were there, and I had to move because I was not old enough to stay by myself…It was heartwrenching and I spiraled into a complete depression…as I got older, I started to move alot…I moved out of NYC because I just wanted/needed to get away and I haven’t moved back since…I lived in RI for several years and went to college there…no I live in CT, in the middle of an area that most people wouldn’t suspect that I would live…it is very difficult to hide yourself in places where you stand out…
Sorry to post so late…I am not on top of my game right now…and to top it off the kids came back to school yesterday and I started to work too…
Leslie, I loved Chapter 19…I am a sucker for romance…it moved me to be perfectly honest…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — January 3, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
Cher, I love your Don Quixote story. That’s one of my faves, too. In fact, the new addition to our house is named Dulcinea! (Dulcie for short.) Right now she’s in the doghouse with me for constantly stealing Cassie’s food…lolol!
Comment by Leslie — January 3, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
Thanks Paula! Glad you like it…sorry about the rough patch!
Comment by Leslie — January 3, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
I’ve made two major moves, and both times were leaps of faith because I hadn’t visited the town before moving and I didn’t know anyone. It can be a bit isolating and frustrating in the beginning but I found two things really helped:
Make a point to learn your surroundings. I think getting out of the car and walking around town is the best way to familiarize yourself.
Join a group as soon as you can. I made really good friends after I joined my local RWA chapter. They shared a lot of my interests besides reading and writing romances.
Congratulations and good luck with the move!
Comment by Susanna Carr — January 3, 2008 @ 10:26 pm
I just got back from a long day of running errands. Thanks for all your stories, everyone! I really enjoyed reading them all, and for the most part, it appears that move and change can be a GOOD thing!
Katie — we’re looking at Beaverton/Hillsboro area, so we’ll definitely be close by!!!
Comment by Janelle — January 3, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
Janelle:
come on over! Seriously! That is a wonderful area, there.
Comment by katie — January 3, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
Janelle, good luck with your move.
I’ve never moved out of state or far away from family and friends (haven’t moved at all, excluding when I went to college). That is a scary thought, but with a support system, which you have, I think it’ll be all right.
Comment by Diana — January 4, 2008 @ 1:19 am
Congrats on the move. I know they are scary. I grew up in small town West Texas and believe you me, moving to Dallas-Ft.Worth was traumatic!
I had no family or friends here, hence when I got my divorce I moved back to West Texas and swore I would never return to DFW. Fate made a liar out of me. I moved back to DFW after 4 1/2 years because of a too-good-to-pass-up job opportunity, but promised my kids I wouldn’t move again while they were in school. Now, I can’t imagine living back in West Texas. I definitely wouldn’t have the career opportunities nor the ability to have the support of my new writer friends that keep me motivated to continue on this writing journey.
It is scary at first, but make yourself get out there and meet people, explore the countryside, and immerse yourself in the community. That was my mistake the first time. Now, I love it here.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — January 4, 2008 @ 3:04 am
Good Luck!!!
-Amanda
HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!
Comment by Amanda Dalon — January 4, 2008 @ 5:15 am
I’m probably going to get lost in the posts, but I thought I’d add my experience as well. Back in April, my family (husband, me, son (6), and daughter (3)) moved to England for the year from St. Louis, MO. Everyone has been really nice over here, but we miss friends and family most. No return trips home with the exception of my husband’s business trips which me and the kids don’t go on. It’s been lonely, but it took about six months before we started to really make friends and get involved. Of course, now we’re getting geared up to go home in 11 weeks. I’ve loved being here. I think that with your move being permanent you will make friends a bit easier and you’ll still be close enough to visit friends and relatives. Good luck with the move.
Comment by Amanda — January 4, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Janelle, One piece of airline advice…As you may remember, during the past year my son was working in Dublin, IR. While there (& prior to it), he flew extensively for business to Vancouver & Montreal, as well as to trips to Stuttgart, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris & Venice, among others, so, he became well acquainted with the various airlines. He nominates Alaska Airlines as the best of the U.S. ones (which, for you, flies to Portland). Conversely, he said his luggage was lost on almost every UAL flight he took. Just a tip.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — January 4, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
Janelle - I moved all while growing up (was a military brat). I graduated from a high school in the Philippines and ended up going to college in San Diego. Then whattya know - I fall for an Ohio boy and end up in Ohio for the next 25 years living in the same town! Other than my husband and his family, I had no one here.
What I can say is that with your outgoing personality and the fact that you still have kids at home, you will make friends quickly. The move will also bring your core family closer together, because you’ll just have each other for a little while. That will be good for you and your kids since they’ll soon be off on their own. Also, I think it will be really good for them to see a slice of life outside of southern California - it will broaden their horizons and make them realize how different life is in the a different part of the country.
So don’t worry too much - as someone else said, kids are resilient and they’ll get a lot out of this positive change in their life!
Comment by Nina — January 9, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
My husband is a native Oregonian and we moved back here 28 years ago. We love it here and wouldn’t consider moving anywhere else. Of course you do have to get use to the rain. We’ve had 17 inches the last 2 months.
Comment by readerdiane — January 10, 2008 @ 6:46 pm