There, You Are

Lucy's Story: From Oklahoma City, OK to Yukon, OK

2009-12-01T23:13:00.005-05:00

This week's story is from Lucy in Oklahoma, USA. Perhaps you will find her reason for moving to be a familiar one. Let us know in the comment section!

Where are you from (or where did you live before)?

I moved from Oklahoma City.

Where do you live now and how long have you been there?

I now live in Yukon, a suburb of Oklahoma City.

What was your motivation for moving?

I was, actually I am coming out of a break up.

What were the best and worst parts of moving?

The best part of moving is that it helps me to begin to move on. And the worst part of moving is that it helps me begin to move on. In the back of my mind I was hoping for a miracle and a happily ever after ending.

How do you feel about your current location?

I haven’t really gotten comfortable enough in my new place to decide how I feel about it yet. I really don’t spend that much time here since I am constantly working to be able to support myself and my daughter.

What are your favorite discoveries and/or what do you like the most about your current location?

Well like I said before I haven’t spent that much time here so I really haven’t made any discoveries. Maybe if I find a crafts store near by………..

What do you dislike the most about your current location?

Well I didn’t have to be here very long to know that I don’t really like living so far away from the city.

How do you feel things have worked out?

Things have worked out fairly well considering the fact that I was very near to a nervous breakdown just two weeks ago.

If you had to do it over, what would you change (if anything)?

I wouldn’t know where to begin.

Has the experience changed you?

I f I have changed I don’t know if I would even notice it in myself yet. I need a little more time.

Vy's Story: From Cambodia to Montreal

2009-11-22T23:28:00.000-05:00

Vy in Montreal shares the powerful story of how her family left war-torn Cambodia and ended up in Quebec.

Where are you from (or where did you live before)?
Born in Cambodia

Where do you live now and how long have you been there?
Montreal

What was your motivation for moving?
I was born in Cambodia but due to war we ended up in Quebec. I was a few months old when my parents had to cross on foot between 2 shooting lines at night. To make sure we didn't get killed they had to drug me so that I wouldn't cry. Although they were hesitant to do that for my health, it was a matter of life and death. We ended up in a refugee camp in Thailand and eventually a few years later landed in Sherbrooke, Quebec and after in Montreal.

Since I was a child I always dreamed of going in different places, be somewhere else. In those days I would watch different movies, some foreign, to escape the reality and visit new places. That was the only way we could afford to travel.

Later as a young adult I met my husband. With him we had the opportunity to move to California. Since we were together we had often talked about new experiences, moving abroad. We lived there for 2 years and we had a great time. Then we were supposed to move to Seattle, but the US immigration had another plan for us - go back in Canada. So we moved back to Montreal last June.

Read more of Vy's Story

What were the best and worst parts of moving?
Best part is the change in your life. Detaching yourself from the past. Everything is new and different. It's a step forward.

I can't think of anything bad. When i moved i was with my husband and son. We were together, not alone, and we were financially doing well.

How do you feel about your current location?
I feel like I'm regressing. I came back to where i was before, and because of that it seems like I never moved anywhere. It's hard to come back an old lifestyle, when you had the chance to live something new and different.

What are your favorite discoveries and/or what do you like the most about your current location?
Nothing really since this is not a new location for me.
But Old Montreal is a nice place to live.

What do you dislike the most about your current location?
Cold weather. Bad customer service. High taxes. Unfriendly people. Everything is expensive. Quality is bad.

How do you feel things have worked out?
Not exactly like i would have hoped for, meaning we hadn't planned on moving back to Montreal. But even though, we came back stronger and better regardless of negative aspects of being here. But I'm positive that we'll continue to move forward and eventually be somewhere else again. It's not the end, here.

If you had to do it over, what would you change (if anything)?
I don't think I would change anything about our move. Also, what's done is done, thing ahead.

Any tips based on your experience or extra comments?
Don't worry or be afraid too much. Even if it doesn't always go how you had planned, keep moving forward.

My Story

2009-10-18T02:09:00.015-04:00

Where are you from (or where did you live before)?

I lived in Boston before.

Where do you live now and how long have you been there?

Montreal, 4 years

What was your motivation for moving?

I moved for personal reasons. I was involved in a relationship with someone from Quebec and also wanted to move out of Boston after finishing school. In addition, I wanted to live outside the US as an adult (have lived outside the US during my childhood).

What were the best and worst parts of moving?

The worst part was leaving everyone I knew. Also, finding work in a mostly French-speaking province was very stressful. When I moved, the first few months were very hard. I knew no one and felt very isolated.

The best part was getting the opportunity to brush up on my French and having a new experience in life.

+/- Read More

How do you feel about your current location?

After 4 years, I am wondering if I made the right decision. My long relationship ended and I created a new life for myself here but I miss my family and friends in the US.

I have come to appreciate Montreal and certain aspects of the culture here. Summertime is great with all the festivals and the public transportation is not bad.

When I moved here I expected it to feel a little like New York City but found that the feel is closer to Boston.

What are your favorite discoveries and/or what do you like the most about your current location?

I love the patisseries! I never really ate pastries before moving here but I now love my croissants aux amandes.

Also I learned skiing and its a great way to pass the long winter.

I love the bike paths around town and throughout Quebec. Quebec is a beautiful province and I have traveled extensively around it.

What do you dislike the most about your current location?

The high taxes! The long cold winters (this is mitigated by skiing, but still...)!

How do you feel things have worked out?

I have a good job and friends. I can't say that I regret having moved here but I am unsure of how much longer I will be here.

If you had to do it over, what would you change (if anything)?

Not sure...

Answer any of the following: Any tips based on your experience or extra comments? Has the experience changed you? If so, how (elaborate)?

Loneliness was very much a part of my life when I moved. I immersed myself in dance classes, going to the gym, and doing as many activities around town as possible. It helped a little. Eventually, I made some friends - but it did take some time.

Also, I would keep in mind that moving to a new place just to leave another place is not a great idea. Moving for someone is a big decision and should not be done lightly.

Welcome!

2009-10-18T00:28:00.000-04:00

Wherever you go, there you are.

These days, moving has become a part of life.

Sometimes we move to get away or make big changes in our personal lives. Other times we move to go to something. Whether we move for school, work, family, or any other reason, moving affects us in many ways. Moving is more than packing our belongings and shipping them to another place. Moving is often a test of our inner strength and courage. After a move, we find that we truly carry ourselves along with each move.

This blog was created to share the stories behind the journeys we take to getting where we are.

You may find a story similar to your own. Or, you may find the courage to make that move you thought you couldn't handle.

You are invited to share your own story. Just click on the "Share Your Story" button on the sidebar and fill out the form. When your story is shared, you will be contacted. The information provided to this site is not used for any other purpose.

So, what's YOUR story?