Thank You for Your Patience & Thank You Richard Florida!

23 July 2009 4 Comments

Dearest Readers,

Thanks so much for sticking with me. The last 6 weeks have been consumed by a cross-state move of home and business that has taken all my attention. The family is now – sloooowly – recovering and getting settled in our new ‘hood of Chicago’s North Shore. We chose to self-relocate to this destination, following a four year Q & A exercise that involved Excel spreadsheets (with weighted averages on each considered city’s quality of life and cost of living attributes), on-site reconnaissance tours and loads of reading, including Richard Florida’s instrumental “Who’s Your City” book:

Where we live is increasingly important to every facet of our lives. We owe it to ourselves to think about the relationship between place and our economic future, as well as our personal happiness…

And from Rana Florida, CEO of the Creative Class Group, here is how she compares the importance of choosing the right city/place to live for you:

…compares the search for a place of one’s own to finding the right mate. She says you have to look inward and figure out exactly what makes you tick in order to choose a place that will allow you to grow and develop. And remember if you don’t remain happy, there’s no shame in moving on.

Yeah. What she said… That’s what happened to us in Las Vegas. We needed to move on. Las Vegas was a weird destination for us to begin with, “imposed” upon by business relationships. The city was good to us and we met some awesome people, but it was time to move on. And hence the whole spreadsheet exercise. Ends up that Chicago’s North Shore area has already exceeded our expectations. Ask me again in January when it’s minus-something Fahrenheit outside, but I think we’ll be fine.

If you are thinking that you might not be happy, fulfilled, gratified or blooming where you’re planted, I want to say “MOVE”. It’s a pain, it’s a lot of work, things get broken and lost, but in our case, I can confirm that our quality of life has already improved a hundred fold. So, if you’re thinking about it, GO AHEAD. I’ll coach you if you need!

And now, among other things, I really look forward to updating the blog with posts on my latest discoveries, including the many delightful finds to be had right here, in my new backyard that is the Chicago area. Stay tuned.

4 Comments »

Matt Trifiro on 23 July 2009 at 5:43 pm

Wow, that’s a big move — from Vegas to Chicago — but you chose well. I *love* Chicago and almost bought a house their three years ago. Congratulations on your move and thanks for sharing the story.

Michelle on 23 July 2009 at 9:56 pm

I went to Chicago a few years ago. Right after Thanksgiving as all the streets downtown began to light up with the holiday season. The window displays were divine, like nothing I’d ever seen. It was 25 degrees as I started out on foot, map in hand. Six and one half hours later I had wandered streets, had coffee as I watched men and women scurry around heading to and from who knows where. Black trench coats, boots and the most fabulous snowcaps (hats?) I have ever seen. Yes, it was snowing and cold and I loved EVERY MINUTE of it! And yes, I’m from Southern AZ and it didn’t bother me a bit. That day, I fell in love with Chicago. Good luck on the many new adventures! May I suggest, if you’re a popcorn lover, find a Garrett’s popcorn shop and try the special mix. Don’t be thrown off by the “mix,” just dive in. You won’t be disappointed!

The Succulent Wife on 24 July 2009 at 10:33 am

Thank you Michelle! I will definitely be on the lookout for Garrett’s Popcorn. Will report back when I get a taste.

Karen Casey-Smith on 25 July 2009 at 11:13 pm

Congratulations on your move! I have a lot of admiration for what you’ve done. You made a decision and took action. It sounds like you’ve made a great move. I’m about thirty miles outside the city, and there’s so much to love in this area. I’m sure you’ll have a great time exploring. I’m looking forward to posts on your latest discoveries!