Pondering Big Changes
I live in Canada. I live in Saskatchewan. I have lived in Alberta twice in my lifetime. That is it. Canada is a wonderful country. Saskatchewan is a fantastic province. My small town is safe, quiet and just far enough away from Saskatoon. Life is good here. It always has been.
Now, my husband has be presented with a great opportunity in his career. An opportunity to teach. An opportunity to work 8 to 5 for the first time in our 25 year marriage. An opportunity that can quite possibly lead to a position for him in Denmark! How exciting would that be. Trouble is, this position is not in Canada. It is in the United States. In Kansas. Olathe, Kansas to be exact. That is far away. Far away from our 3 grown daughters and 3 baby granddaughters too.
On the up side. What a place for them to come and visit. What an adventure for us and our 4 year old daughter. What a great thing to have my husband home every night. Decisions, decisions.
I don't really know anything about life in the United States, save for that which my sister who lives in North Carolina tells me. Some good. Some not so good. Anybody have an opinion on this subject? Anyone? Anyone at all?
5 comments:
You only live once. It may be worth a try!
I've never been to Kansas but it sure sounds like a great opportunity. Wow...what a big decision! It sounds exciting.
I grew up in Kansas City (and the small town by the city Parkville, MO), and have some family in that area still (Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, KC). It is very nice. I haven't lived there in a long time, but my family and childhood friends who are there do still love it.
Big picture - gosh. Anything like that is a big move and there is so much to consider. And the whole good and the bad - I think that is in any city in any country, I think. Small towns are isolated from *some* of the issues, but not always. :)
Olathe is nice, and while it is still close to the city many of the suburbs still do retain their own individual feel. Overland Park is considered great (next suburb over). Homes are not as expensive as other parts of the country (all relative though, I guess), there are 4 distinct seasons, and Kansas City has some beautiful areas. The Country Club Plaza is gorgeous and the christmas lights I still consider the best in the country. There is an awesome art museum, great music (Jazz in Westport...ahhh), awesome BBQ. Starlight Theatre is fantastic. Crown Center is fun. I could go on. It is a very nice area. It is interesting in that it has a bit of both the north and the south in it. And it is a very diverse place, full of interesting history.
I know it is a big decision - good luck! :)
Hi!
I say "Go for it!" You can always come home again.
I also know how hard it is to not have your husband home in the evenings...Xxx
Hi - You've probably already made this decision but may I add that Johnson county, KS is a FABULOUS place to live. I lived there for three years (we currently live in Denver for the past four). I would return in a heart beat.
Denise sums it up very nicely. Overland Park (where I lived) is great. Great school districts, AWESOME public libraries (OK, I'm bias. I am a librarian & worked there.) Amazing infrastructure, which is rather odd to comment on but after you've lived in a city dependent on bridges (St. Louis) and a city that geographically is HUGE (Denver [I never thought in my wildest days I'd think driving 8 miles for a gas station normal. And we don't live in the boonies.])JoCo (a quaint term used by the locals) has amazing roads, many roads & they are all on a GRID! The numbered streets run east/west the named streets run north/south. This makes it so easy to navigate & when a new friend invites you over (did I mention it's very friendly there?) you'll know exactly where they live by this statement "Lamar & 87th). It is also very hilly & pretty with tons of parks (in the neighborhoods) and sidewalks everywhere.
Now I must admit there are some negatives, not the best public transportation but at least they have one. Ice storms can be a problem during the January, February months. No kidding - do not be surprised by 5" of ICE not snow.
I'm sure you've already made your decision. If you did move, congrats, I hope you love it as much as I do. If you didn't, perhaps a road trip to check it out someday. It is rated #9 - Overland Park & #11 Olathe (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/top100/) of the top placest to live in the US. The most important thing is that your family is together & happy.
Good luck!
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