Every Wednesday State Farm posts their new agency openings for approved candidates to peruse and apply for. This morning I eagerly hopped on the computer to see what was available and saw that there is an opening in my hometown - Palo Alto, CA! I lived there from second grade and always thought I was so lucky to live in such a beautiful town with so much to do and that was so close to the beach and San Francisco. Being a child and used to what I knew, I also thought that $1.5 million for a 4bdr 2ba house was a good price. Haha.... And that was 15 years ago now! Imagine those prices nowadays!
My mom invested in two condos before the big price explosion and I was thinking about how cool it would be if she still had one of them. We could totally move there and go for the State Farm thing in my hometown! Well, she sold both of them so there's no chance of that, but when I really got to thinking about it, I don't think I'd want to move back there even if we did have that option. I've lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 7 years now and I couldn't be happier in this corner of the country. I love how laid-back people are and how much nature is a part of everyday life here. I even like the damp climate (I think it makes for the most beautiful and highly appreciated summers anywhere). I don't think I'd like Palo Alto as much the second time around as I did growing up. I don't even think I'd fit in there anymore. I'm much more casual now than I was when I lived there. I went from going back-to-school shopping at Bloomingdale's, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and J.Crew and thinking that Louis Vuitton was an absolute staple of life to being a fan of Target (gasp!) which I NEVER would've shopped for clothing at in my PA days. My cousin, who lives in another part of the Bay Area, mentioned on her blog that Palo Alto has the nickname "Shallow Alto" in other parts of the Bay Area but I never thought of it that way when I lived there. I knew some truly amazing people there, so I don't know.
I thought Palo Alto was the perfect place to grow up. I loved my life, my school and my friends and really knew how fortunate I was to live where we did. I had a very happy childhood. But I want something different for my own children. Is that weird? That I wouldn't change my own childhood for anything but don't want to jump at the chance to move back to my hometown to raise my own family? Call me crazy.
7 comments:
No, it's not weird. Palo Alto truly is a beautiful town. Who wouldn't want to grow up there? But once you've moved away from where you grew up, you just take on a different perspective.
BUT - be glad that you're not moving back. Our sales tax just increased today; Santa Clara County is now 9.25% and Alameda County (where I live) is 9.75%... ouch!
Oh, but La Costena is there! Best burritos ever. But, then again, so is Chris Rudd! Haha. I like visiting Palo Alto (for Soudy and burritos), but I agree with you, I wouldn't want to live there.
Home is where you heart is no matter what the address is. Every time you change your address you get a chance to enhance your life's resume and increases the adventures and memories. I love PA too, but am so happy where I am right now. I know you want a happy childhood for your boys, just not in such an expensive and congested part of the US. Very understandable.
Eugene is different. Very different. SO move back, ok?!
Marissa I love the pic up at the top. Did you take it? Your gettin good sister! I just started photo classes here... wish you lived here to take them with me!
I know...Palo Alto. There's so much to say about it. I've decided on this: Great to visit, not to live (especially with two kids and penny-pinching for us!). It holds a special place in my heart though.
I feel the same way. Every time we visit I get all misty but just can't imagine living there again. I love the Pacific Northwest and think it's the right place for us. Not to mention, there is no way we could ever afford raise a family there.
Post a Comment