For all my readers, you probably know that I live in California, and I recently moved here from Canada. I’ve mentioned it in a few of my posts – but if you didn’t know, now you do! I’ve also mentioned that moving was very difficult, as it is hard to leave a place in which you live for 14 or so years. I was very used to my surrounding environment, had built a very large network, and in short, was happy. I guess it would be fair to say I kind of miss the cold, snowy weather at times. Moving is something that many people experience, and like I said, it is usually difficult. The best way to get over the idea of moving is to simply talk about it – which is what I hope to do in this post, and others to come.
For starters, I obviously did not make the decision to move. I moved with my family, because of my fathers job (money in other words). If I had the choice, being a teenager, I’d probably make a blunt decision and decide to stay in Canada. Then again, I was only 16, and not many parents would even consider for a split second to leave their teenager in another country, probably only because of their friends. My parents were thinking of my future, which would probably be a lot better here in California (or he US for that matter). Why? Well, the economy in Canada is not the greatest – actually, to be frank, it’s horrible. The USA isn’t doing so great right now either, but it is definitely a few steps ahead of Canada. It is a lot easier to make money and get by in the USA.
He did not lose his job in Canada, but he and my mother came to the conclusion that things would be much better in California. What do I mean by “things”? Well, to my dad, the economy is probably the biggest factor, and to my mom probably the weather. I’ve seen people move, and it has usually been within the country. I’ve seen a few people go from where Ottawa to Toronto, which are only 4 hours (drive) apart. I’ve seen a few friends leave to places such as New York and Boston, but never California. Most of my friends told me I was really lucky to be moving to California, but once again, easier said than done. They would say “Your going to have so much money there!”, and so on. California is not anything special – just another place to live. I’ve always had this philosophy that anywhere you live can be the best – it is you that determines how much you enjoy where you live. Thus, moving to California would not be putting me in Heaven all of a sudden – I could live the same life in Canada, as long as I was determined.
So the decision to move was based on a number of things like I siad, but the two main ones would be money, and me and my sisters future. Although I am more contempt now then I was at the beginning of the movie, I still do wish I could go back to Canada. I always thought of things like this after I moved – I’d rather have my friends, family, over having a bigger house, nicer cars, and so on. Easy for me to say, because I’m not the one putting the bread on the table for my family – my parents are. I guess they saw that this move was necessary for us to do better as a whole, so they did it. Like I said, the beginning of the move was most difficult, and it would fair to say I hated my parents for a while, even though the move would secure me a better future. I am starting to get used to things here in California though. I just wish that my parents had allowed me to finish school there for two years, and then come – but I guess we all have to sacrifice sometime in life, and that was my turn.
To all parents, hear it from a kid – if you have children and they are in the midst of high school, don’t move them unless you absolutely have to. I realize sometimes families have to move, but on the other hand, sometimes parents do it to in order to become wealthier. Well, you need to choose between your child’s happiness, or wealth. I’m not saying don’t ever move – I’m saying don’t do it in the midst of your child’s high school years. If you’re going to do it, do it before. High school is a time when children grow very strong relationships, and get used to their surrounding environment. Pulling them out of that environment can lead to depression and anxiety. I don’t mean to come off as a nagging child, who wants to get everything his way – I’m not like that at all. I’ve just experienced this first hand – leaving my girlfriend, all of my friends, cousins, to a place where I was welcomed in a very cold manor (hey, maybe just my school is bad). Luckily, I’ve met a few Canadians here, and I get along with them quite well. I still keep in touch with my friends in Canada through Facebook.
Have you ever moved? If so, how old were you? Where did you move from, and to? How was your experience? Let’s hear your moving stories!
Great post. My dad was in the military when I was growing up and from 1st grade to 6th… I went to 7 elementary schools. Fortunately he retired when I was in 6th grade and moved out to San Diego. Here I went to 1 junior high school and 2 high schools. When I first moved to the community I live in, they did not have a high school here until I was in 11th grade, but I still knew everybody from my previous school when the new one opened up… so it was cool.
If I had to go through all the moves when I was in high school that definitely would have been a lot harder indeed. The one thing I do know is everything works out in the long run and I am sure you will meet lots of friends and everything will get better and better for you in the upcoming months. You just need to hang in there.
Sorry to hear about all your moves during elementary school. Although it is not as hard to move during elementary school, I can still imagine it was somewhat painful.
Like you said though, moving in the middle of high school was very difficult — especially since I had been in the same neighborhood for many, many years. I always saw kids around me move, but never, ever thought I would be one to move.
You’re right — in the long run, things will work out hopefully. I’ve been in this small city in North Cal for the last year, and I think that is the reason I have such a bad impression of California. Very snobby city. I’m moving to the San Jose (Silicon Valley) area in a week or so. I have a good feeling about that area!
Thanks for your support Doug.