This weekend, we were tailgating with some friends before the Tennessee Titans game, which turned out to be historic for all of the wrong reasons. Anyway, the conversation turned toward moving. One of them said that she would like to move somewhere else, but that her boyfriend would never leave town. My wife, who has lived in different parts of the country, said that she knew when we married that we would live here forever.
I said that I have been lucky enough to have traveled in every state and have spent time in most of the major cities. I love visiting them, but I have never seen anywhere that is a better place to live than right here in my hometown. They both looked at me funny and said that other places have culture, art and different lifestyles. That is when I said that is true, but they are missing one thing. They are not home.
I understand that a lot of people have to move for jobs and other reasons. Some people move because they hate where they grew up. Heck, there are people from my graduating class who left the day after the ceremony and have never been back. However, I have always thought it important to have roots and contribute to the place that made us who we are. It is a place of family and old friends. Like I said, it is home.
All that being said, the conversation made me think of an assignment that my therapist had me complete. I had to list ten places, other than here, where I would like to live. I remember most of the list, and I know that it would be slightly different if I did it today. That is why I am going to do it today. If I was going to live somewhere else, then it would be, in no particular order, the following:
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Durango, Colorado
Sonoma, California
Asheville, North Carolina
Maryville, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Prescott, Arizona
Waialua, Hawaii
What do those places have in common?
I have spent time in each one and thought they were worth more than a visit. They struck me as good places to live. Some of them have rich culture, and others are just good towns.
None of them are huge cities where the buildings block out the sun. They have that small town feel with a little extra thrown in.
They all have great things around them. It would not take long to find a good hike or a another cool place to visit.
Will we ever move? You never know what the future holds. However, if it was going to be one of these places, then it would make the decision somewhat easier.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
I love my hometown. But it’s changed a lot in the last decade or two. So have I. So basically i carry my spiritual hometown in my mind and heart, and there will be no real place on this earth that I can call home. Sad.
Our town has changed, too. However, there is something to be said about taking home with you. It could be a state of mind. If someone is happy in their heart, then geography may not matter that much.
Durango, very interesting
Yeah. I think it’s a cool town.
I used to think that it would be nice to go and live in another country, France or Spain perhaps but as I grow older I appreciate more and more that I am English and this is where I belong.
I think people who have the opportunity to travel widely have a better appreciation of home. A lot of places are nice to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
I’ve lived in multiple cities. As the song goes, Wherever I Lay My Hat, That’s My Home.
A lot of people feel that way, and I wish I was one. I have the traveling spirit but not the moving spirit.
But the notion of ‘home’ exists. Adventure is all great and exciting but it’s nice to get back to the comfort of the familiar, something stable. I suppose ‘home’ is a state of mind.
I think I don’t want to move. I’d like better weather to come to US. Just an easier winter. I’d keep the rest.
Notice I did not pick many spots with cold weather issues.
Well, here goes…I am in the same boat…you will need to travel until your heart says..:this is it!;
You and your family will have a beautiful adventure!
Traveling is a great adventure. It’s always good to go. However, it is always good to return.
This could probably be my favorite post on your blog, Rick. Im heading for home in a couple of days for a short academic visit and I think this post has made me a little homesick. I suddenly missed my town for a minute.
I’m glad you liked it. I hope you have a good trip.