I am considering a move to Denver in the somewhat near future, and I would appreciate any feedback from others who have moved out of state. Specifically, how big of an adjustment was it? Were you very "homesick" for a while? Are you ready to move back, or did you move back pretty quick?

I've never lived outside of Texas, but I love Colorado and feel like I will regret it if I never try something new. To be specific, I really like the mountains, the laid-back attitude, the outdoor activites, and the area in general. My wife and I will probably start trying to have kids in two years, so the window is closing on the time we have to live it up before kids. I am not particulary fond of any Texas city.

Thanks in advance.

Pretty ****ty; never really got homesick though. Just realized that it would be a long while before I'm living in Texas again

I have not ever looked back now that I in a place that I love. It is only a 2 hour plane ride back home and can go visit anytime. Plus, I have many friends and family that choose to visit me here in Denver, as they want a retreat from Texas.

I moved out of state and it has been great. I was a little nervous at first moving 2,000 miles away and not knowing a single person but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. And besides you gain a whole new appreciation for Texas. Like someone said above you are a plane ride away. TX will always be home but at the same time I like living in a different state and trying new things.

Back in '86 the Army sent me to Fort Bragg, NC. I missed Lone Star beer and Ranch Style beans. It was horrible...until the local Sam's Club started stocking Ranch beans around '88. Still had to drink non-Texan beer...until I was sent to Ft Bliss (El Paso) in '91.

I grew up a military brat, so wasn't all that attached to Texas and I prefer the bigger cities, so while I love A&M was never overly fond of B/CS. Texas is a wonderful state and I think you should be selective of where you move, but that being said it's a big country and a bigger world out there. So many Texans amaze me with their small mindedness that Texas is the only place to call home.

One of my best friends lived in Texas his whole life, but moved to Denver after dental school and he loves it. He plans to stay there long term. I've never been, but hope to check it out soon - have heard it's awesome in the summer and is such a clean city overall.

Go for it!

Thanks for all the input. I think we will end up doing it, but I am sure there will be some second guessing until the day we move. My buddy is there on business right now, and he said the weather makes him want to move there.

Cost of living...get ready for a shock.

I agree that it does not get any cheaper than Texas and the deep South. I think it's worth it if I will enjoy my surroundings a lot more. Also, the difference in property taxes just about cancels out the CO state income tax.

I moved to TN almost two years ago, and I remember feeling excited, scared, and sad. But mostly... it just felt like something I had to do. It'll take some adjustment, but on a whole... you should be fine.

I will always love Texas and call it home... but I have now found somewhere I fit in and I'm happy!

Texas is not that cheap if you have to pay for private schools, which many feel like they have to do now. I know the high school I graduated from in 1990 is not a school I would want my daughters to attend.

^
Perhaps, but lots of areas in the country "require" private schooling. NYC and DC are two great examples.

Good call on the Ranch Style beans. Luckily I have been able to get them everywhere I've lived.

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So many Texans amaze me with their small mindedness that Texas is the only place to call home.

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Whole-heartedly agree.

I felt sick to my stomach for a while. I lasted two years and found an excuse of a job to get back home. It didn't work out and I ended up starting my own company, so I guess it worked out...

It has been a year for me now. I still get homesick at times, but overall am thankful for the opportunity I was given and have no doubts it was the right thing to do at the right time.

Texas will always be there if things don't work out.

[This message has been edited by corndog04 (edited 8/24/2008 4:25a).]

just graduated in may and moved to the quad cities, il-ia, two weeks ago. so far so good. i think poeple need to realize that if your willing to move and relocate, then opportunities are endless. it is definitely hard being away from everything you know. good luck with your move

Although it wasn't my first choice of things to do, I was a military brat, so living outside the state wasn't so bad. I thought I'd be back in texas within a couple years, but I've now been in North Carolina for three. Probably will be here (at least) another two, and possibly 5+.

The wife is slowly getting used to it. The worst part is being away from all the great food.

i was tubing down the clackamas river the other day in oregon. a friend of mine asked me why i left texas if i loved it so much. i just told her that i was very similar with any other missionary. just spreading the good word. everyone deserves to know how great texas is.

I moved to Tulsa about 4 months ago and it's my first time out of Texas. I like Texas, but I wouldn't say I am diehard about it. The hardest adjustment for me is the social aspect. My wife and I were pretty used to a close social group in Dallas since we grew up there. We are working to gain a new contacts in Tulsa. I would consider how important your social network is to you before you move out of your comfort zone. Good friends can be taken for granted sometimes and can be difficult to replace.

^
I feel the same way. We will miss our friends and family, but I think that is about it. Denver has a very large and active Aggie group, so that will be fun.

I am moving to Central Oregon for my daughters. I have never lived outside of Texas but I have traveled extensively around the states. We will miss friends and family but believe our new home has so much more to offer our family than Texas. We have already met several Aggies in the Bend area.

Hey itgoes211! I moved to Portland almost 4 years ago and floating the Clackamas always reminds of the days we'd head down to New Braunfels for a day on the river ... I love it!

I pretty much echo what everyone else has said here. It's definitely a huge step and it's normal to have some anxiety about it, but I love that fact that I have 2 "homes" now. I head back to Texas about 3 times a year and always enjoy myself, but I'm usually ready to head back to Portland. Texas is a great place, but there's alot more out there that's worth checking out!!

i made the decision to move. quite my job. had no job lined up and no place to live. packed up a suitcase and crashed on the floor in a friend's kitchen for about a month.

no regrets. i have no desire to move back. i miss good mexican food and my friends and family. however, much to the chagrin of many folks in texas, there is a whole other world to explore. don't get me wrong, i love texas, but there's too much to experience out there...

been gone almost 3 years now.

i look forward to trips back and have a great time, but after 4-5 days i'm ready to get the hell out.

[This message has been edited by AggieOO (edited 8/29/2008 9:50p).]

Most of my college buddies now live outside of TX. I left right after graduating in '99, although I'm not a Texan it was rather easy for me. Ya'll can take your heat and humidity.

I've been San Diego for 8 years and now I'm ready for another move. Most likely to Denver or Portland. But Portland sucks jobwise...I've been looking on and off for 4 years.

Now that friends have scattered, I can't think of a major city in the US where I don't know someone. Sure makes it easier to move when you don't have to start comopletely from scratch.

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But Portland sucks jobwise

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What kind of work do you do?

I miss Texas. Period.

GIS Analyst

Best decision I made was to move, forced me to do a lot of things I normally wouldn't. Took a little time but I've made some great friends here and don't really know at this point if I'll be moving back to Texas.

I've lived in California twice, Asia (Singapore), Missouri, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, and have travelled extensively to Europe, S. America, and Asia.

I always miss Texas when I'm gone. In fact, as I post, I'm back living in California again. Texas is the greatest state in the nation, and that belief is not a function of "small mindedness," but more a function of what feels familiar to a person. I'm well travelled, but nothing will ever feel familiar to me like the state where I was born.



TAF

I definitely miss Texas, mainly the people...friends and family. People are just really friendly in Texas. But, now I go back to Houston and realize how big it has gotten. I have totally fallen in love with the mountains and fresh air out here. It would be really hard for me to move back to Texas, even though I know I will someday. Just try to enjoy your time away from Texas and make the most of it!

I have been in NYC about 2 years now and I still miss Texas. The first six months were a big adjustment for me and I probably tormented my wife with complaints. Once I finally opened up to the experience of living here it became much more enjoyable. I will say that nowhere on Earth are the people as friendly as College Station (unless you wear a hat to football games).

It has definitely benefited me to venture out of Texas and spend a lot of time not only in such vastly different states as Alaska and Florida, but other continents as well. While I hate the state I am currently living in (Florida) I can't see myself moving back to Texas. That being said, all of my family is there and my best friend as well, and I miss Texas dearly. It really is a different state of mind, and a completely different country than the rest of the lower 48. No other state and no other people compare. There is nothing wrong with moving away, you just have to find little things that will constantly remind you of it (like Ranch Style beans!).

I was actually read for the adventure when I left Texas. I graduated and left to start work in NYC. I've been up here for almost two years and have loved every minute of it. I get the occasional pang for Texas food, hospitality, etc. But for the most part I know that Texas will always be there. The adventure and fun you have living somewhere new is what makes like so special. I was certain I'd move back to Texas in 5-7 years, but honestly, with as much as I love my job and the city, I doubt I'll be back in 10 years.

I'd sum everything up by saying everyone will have a different opinion on how they felt. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.