How far away do you live from where you "grew up" and how did you get to where you are living now?

[Fireballer 2,639]

My story is pretty boring.  I started as a firefighter at 20 years old, and have always lived within an hour of where I grew up.  I usually get home to see my mom once a week or so  Anyone live so far away from family that you don't ever see them? Anyone chase a woman to far away places?

[DuckStupid 40]

Similar here, but I guess I did live a couple hours away from where I grew up for a few years.  Right now, I’m probably only 15 miles away.  

[Utilit99 4,099]

4 minutes ago, Fireballer said:

My story is pretty boring.  I started as a firefighter at 20 years old, and have always lived within an hour of where I grew up.  I usually get home to see my mom once a week or so  Anyone live so far away from family that you don't ever see them? Anyone chase a woman to far away places?

I grew up in a small town west of Chicago in Illinois. 

Moved out on my own at 17 to another town west of there. Moved to Canada, then later Hartford, Connecticut. Then Boston, then Annapolis, Maryland, then Albuquerque, then St. Pete FL, then Kansas City, then New Jersey then, on and on. I have 3 brothers in California. 1 sister and a brother in Illinois, one sister in Connecticut, and 1 sister in Florida.

What a great ride life has been. And there is a shltload more to go  Life has been berry berry good to me. 

[Bier Meister 1,658]

Raised in San Francisco. College in San Diego. Moved back north for grad school. Marin county for about 7-8 years. Moved to breckenridge for 10 yrs. Back to San Francisco… now about 45 miles north of parents’ home 

[Voltaire 5,203]

2 hours ago, Fireballer said:

My story is pretty boring.  I started as a firefighter at 20 years old, and have always lived within an hour of where I grew up.  I usually get home to see my mom once a week or so  Anyone live so far away from family that you don't ever see them? Anyone chase a woman to far away places?

Yeah, me. 12 time zones away. In the late 90s, I'd pursued, lets call it a business opportunity, in St. Louis that blew up in my face. It left me a mess. I was depressed. Fiancé dumped me (can't blame her). It was 2001 and I was 29, back at Eight Mile living with my mom, substitute teaching, and going nowhere with whatever money I'd saved from the Army evaporated. My own failures in life was the primary motivation for moving overseas. Then there were two secondary factors that seemed potential problems at the time, although in hindsight neither played out. The first, in my 20-something mind, I had determined that sometime in my lifetime the US government would go belly-up in a sea of red ink due to deficit spending. Now, if you're like me you may have noticed that never occurred. The spending has been totally out of control for twenty years, neither party talks about nor cares about balancing the budget, and the boat is still (magically) afloat. The second factor, at that point in 2001, I was four years out of uniform. Army contracts are for eight years, in my case split between active duty and Michigan National Guard (1989-97). We had an idiot president girding for a war I deeply opposed, I thought he might institute a draft going after prior service rather than 18 y/os and if he did, I didn't want to be in the country. One war is enough thanks. In the end, to his credit, he went after neither 18 y/os nor prior service members.

I left the country to teach English in China and it was a great decision for me. The depression went away immediately after getting off the plane. I had my own apartment, a prestigious job with disposable income, and within a week a beautiful girlfriend. being poor in USA to middle class in China was more than a sideways move. And it turned out I was good at this. I arrived in Jiang Zemin's China and followed that up with Hu Jintao's China. These last few years though, with Xi Jinping, China is getting a lot more belligerent, policies are getting stupider, I no longer recommend anyone to come here anymore to do what I did, and I may just get to a point that I say "fock it" and return to the US, find the reddest part of a red state in search of a semblance of the way life was in the US when I left in 2001. 

[Utilit99 4,099]

16 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

Yeah, me. 12 time zones away. In the late 90s, I'd pursued, lets call it a business opportunity, in St. Louis that blew up in my face. I left me a mess. I was depressed. Fiance dumped me (can't blame her). It was 2001 and I 29, back at Eight Mile living with my mom, substitute teaching, and going nowhere with whatever money I'd saved from the Army evaporated. My own failures in life was the primary motivation for moving overseas. Then there were two secondary factors that seemed potential problems at the time, although in hindsight neither played out. The first, in my 20-something mind, I had determined that sometime in my lifetime the US government would go belly-up in a sea of red ink due to deficit spending. Now, if you're like me you may have noticed that never occurred. The spending has been totally out of control for twenty years, neither party talks about nor cares about balancing the budget, and the boat is still (magically) afloat. The second factor, at that point in 2001, I was four years out of uniform. Army contracts are for eight years, in my case split between active duty and Michigan National Guard (1989-97). We had an idiot president girding for a war I deeply opposed, I thought he might institute a draft going after prior service rather than 18 y/os and if he did, I didn't want to be in the country. One war is enough thanks. In the end, to his credit, he went after neither 18 y/os nor prior service members.

I left the country to teach English in China and it was a great decision for me. The depression went away immediately after getting off the plane. I had my own apartment, a prestigious job with disposable income, and within a week a beautiful girlfriend. being poor in USA to middle class in China was more than a sideways move. And it turned out I was good at this. I arrived in Jiang Zemin's China and followed that up with Hu Jintao's China. These last few years though, with Xi Jinping, China is getting a lot more belligerent, policies are getting stupider, I no longer recommend anyone to come here anymore to do what I did, and I may just get to a point that I say "fock it" and return to the US, find the reddest part of a red state in search of a semblance of the way life was in the US when I left in 2001. 

Focking great story. 

Not that you did, but I focked up so many relationships  with girls in my 20's, 30's, and 40's, (I couldn't not cheat),  that it took me so long and so many new locations to find a space to settle down. A "space", not a particular location. Now that my parents are both dead, and my family is still scattered across the country, I'm wishing I took more advantage of my family get togethers at my parents place in the past. I may make the effort to visit each of them individually now that I think of it.  

[IGotWorms 4,057]

Grew up in Alaska, college in Midwest (a mistake), law school in northwest, back to Alaska for a bit, back to northwest. My folks now live a half-mile away. Brother lives in the southwest, don’t see him very often. We were never that close though as we were several years apart.

[Fireballer 2,639]

4 minutes ago, IGotWorms said:

Grew up in Alaska, college in Midwest (a mistake), law school in northwest, back to Alaska for a bit, back to northwest. My folks now live a half-mile away. Brother lives in the southwest, don’t see him very often. We were never that close though as we were several years apart.

How did you end up growing up in Alaska?  Family originally from there?

[Fireballer 2,639]

1 hour ago, Utilit99 said:

I grew up in a small town west of Chicago in Illinois. 

Moved out on my own at 17 to another town west of there. Moved to Canada, then later Hartford, Connecticut. Then Boston, then Annapolis, Maryland, then Albuquerque, then St. Pete FL, then Kansas City, then New Jersey then, on and on. I have 3 brothers in California. 1 sister and a brother in Illinois, one sister in Connecticut, and 1 sister in Florida.

What a great ride life has been. And there is a shltload more to go  Life has been berry berry good to me. 

All those work related moves?

[Mookz 1,338]

Two floors to the south.  

Stairwell.

[TommyGavin 790]

10 blocks

Married in same church and reception same place as my parents 27 years before. 
 

My kids played on the same little league field as I did. Went to the same high as I did. 

[Utilit99 4,099]

10 minutes ago, Fireballer said:

All those work related moves?

Partially. Two different careers. 1st career, needed to move a lot. I will never regret that career.

Second and current career, I didn't have to move but was given great options. I moved to Saint Pete to start my current career then later KC for 7 glorious years, and once my company offered me 40 grand to move to New Jersey, I took it cause it was the right time. At the time I was dating a girl living in New Jersey (originally from Texas) and even though I hated New Jersey, 

I now have someone I don't want to cheat on. 

[MDC 7,154]

4 minutes ago, Utilit99 said:

Pretty much. Two different careers. 1st career, needed to follow the money and move. Second and current career, I didn't have to move but was given great options.  

Plus no wife, friends or family to tie you down.

You can be alone anywhere.  

[IGotWorms 4,057]

28 minutes ago, Fireballer said:

How did you end up growing up in Alaska?  Family originally from there?

My folks moved there in the 80s, when I was very young. They wanted good jobs and adventure

[Utilit99 4,099]

11 minutes ago, MDC said:

Plus no wife, friends or family to tie you down.

You can be alone anywhere.  

Great. An actually interesting thread and you come into the picture. Focking idiot. 

[Drizzay 699]

Went to college 20 min away (should have gone a lot further).

Moved 2.5 hours away to the "big" city.

Moved to Denver for 3.5 years.

Moved back to Minneapolis 11 years ago and will probably never leave.

My parents still live in my home town 2.5 hours away.  I actually wish they were closer.  We will be visiting them this weekend.

[Utilit99 4,099]

2 minutes ago, Drizzay said:

Went to college 20 min away (should have gone a lot further).

Moved 2.5 hours away to the "big" city.

Moved to Denver for 3.5 years.

Moved back to Minneapolis 11 years ago and will probably never leave.

My parents still live in my home town 2.5 hours away.  I actually wish they were closer.  We will be visiting them this weekend.

Many kids?  I have 7 older brothers and sisters scattered. My parents home was always the hot spot for us to meet up. Nothing other than that. 

[jerryskids 6,579]

44 minutes ago, MDC said:

Plus no wife, friends or family to tie you down.

You can be alone anywhere.  

 

32 minutes ago, Utilit99 said:

Great. An actually interesting thread and you come into the picture. Focking idiot. 

Agreed with utilit, MDC likes to take the high road but he's being a doosh here.   

[shorepatrol 1,870]

5 1/2 miles. Been here for 26 years. 

[TommyGavin 790]

16 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

 

Agreed with utilit, MDC likes to take the high road but he's being a doosh here.   

I was going to say it earlier- why ruin a good thread/topic. 

[DuckStupid 40]

44 minutes ago, Drizzay said:

Went to college 20 min away (should have gone a lot further).

Moved 2.5 hours away to the "big" city.

Moved to Denver for 3.5 years.

Moved back to Minneapolis 11 years ago and will probably never leave.

My parents still live in my home town 2.5 hours away.  I actually wish they were closer.  We will be visiting them this weekend.

I’ve seen you are from mn in the past Drizzay, but never really engaged.  Where abouts you at?  Grew up in Shoreview, live in Andover now. 

[Utilit99 4,099]

17 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

 

Agreed with utilit, MDC likes to take the high road but he's being a doosh here.   

Man, I have a lot of family. I'm the last of eight kids. Sometimes I think I want to die before them because I don't want to have to go through all of their deaths. Fock. 

[Utilit99 4,099]

Crap. This is the best thread ever. I miss my original home town. Turned ghetto though.

But my parents kicked ass!!! 

I'm going to visit every one of my family members within the next two to three years. That's going to be a lot of travel, but what the hell.

Three of them I can take one flight for.  

[Cloaca du jour 2,147]

Live an hour from my sisters..parents gone.  We are having easter dinner at my sisters.

[Cdub100 3,850]

25 miles

Bought a house near my wife's parents because she didn't want to move too far away. 

[MDC 7,154]

1 hour ago, jerryskids said:

 

Agreed with utilit, MDC likes to take the high road but he's being a doosh here.   

I have 15 notifications from Utoilet today along with the usual sad faces.

I’m done.  

[Drizzay 699]

1 hour ago, DuckStupid said:

I’ve seen you are from mn in the past Drizzay, but never really engaged.  Where abouts you at?  Grew up in Shoreview, live in Andover now. 

From SE Minnesota, along the Mississippi river, live in Mpls in the Armatage neighborhood.

For as much sh!t as this city gets (and rightfully so in some cases), this little pocket is very idyllic.  McMansions everywhere, low crime, nice parks, just south of Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek, tons of very nice restaurants.  It is basically Edina.

[DuckStupid 40]

Son went to school at Winona, a grandpa grew up  near there. About as much as I know of the area. Glad you found a pocket that works. 

[Utilit99 4,099]

17 hours ago, MDC said:

I have 15 notifications from Utoilet today along with the usual sad faces.

I’m done.  

First you are a focking rat, then you turn into a liar. Focking gross human you are. I've left no stupid ass sad smilies. I don't even know what they mean. Just because you do that every morning to me doesn't mean I do it back. 

 

[Utilit99 4,099]

6 hours ago, Cdub100 said:

25 miles

Bought a house near my wife's parents because she didn't want to move too far away. 

My girlfriend is very tight with her family. I moved to be with her. I won't even joke about us moving somewhere else. She has a sister who needs 100% care because of severe MS. Her brother is in finance and makes a shltload of money. probably around $600k per year and basically supports her sister and parents even though her mom works to keep her sanity as her dad is a complete assh0le (My girlfriend's words, not mine - but he is) but takes care of the sister which is a full time job. My girlfriend also has a cousin in the area that she really is close to. She and her husband are pretty cool.

One thing I learned from this relationship is that South Koreans are odd about giving really pricey gifts back and forth. It's all about the money. 

[supermike80 1,812]

Grew up in a Chicago suburb.  Went to Michigan State. Moved back to the Chicago area after graduation and stayed there for about 2 years. Then to Lansing Michigan, finally to the Detroit area where I have been since about 1993.

[avoiding injuries 1,516]

My dad was in the Air Force. Grew up all over the country. Settled in Maryland where my wife grew up and my family all moved back to New England where they’re from. We see each other a few times a year. 

[MTSkiBum 1,620]

I lived in quite a few places growing up, but I consider Wyoming my home state. 

 

I live 1400 miles from northern Wyoming now, although hopefully I can get the motivation to change that and get back a little closer.

[Hawkeye21 2,382]

I bought the house I grew up in, a small acreage outside of town.

[Mike Honcho 5,124]

According to the BBC your life on earth, I've travelled THROUGH THE MILKY WAY, 250,866,753,365 mi.  So I've gone pretty far.

 

[edjr 6,578]

about 1/2 a mile 

The place I lived the 1st couple years of my life was tore down and they put up condoms

[jerryskids 6,579]

2329 mile drive according to google maps.  It's weird, when I went to college I struggled with whether or not to stay in my hometown and be with my mom (my dad passed away when I graduated HS), but I ended up going to Boston.  When I graduated college it was pretty clear there wasn't much interesting stuff to do in electrical engineering in my home town.  I figured I'd end up somewhere in MA; I had an offer with Lincoln Labs which does some good research.  But the job at Motorola in Phoenix was too much to pass up.

I've been here 33 years and this is home now.  Met my wife, raised our kids, and (so far) they all still live here.  Although the daughter is doing a test run in NYC this summer; if she doesn't get blown up in the subway she may want to move there permanently.  I don't mind if they feel the need to spread their wings and try somewhere else. 

[TimmySmith 2,782]

From my Great-Great Grandfather's1840's house (now gone) to mine is about 15 miles.  From the house that I mostly grew up in, to mine is about 6. My Father has lived within 2 square miles from a vast majority of his life.  

[Strike 5,233]

I was born in Washington D.C. but moved to Los Angeles when I was 3 and lived there until I was 30.  Moved to Denver in 1996 for a couple years, then Seattle for a year, and then back to Los Angeles.  In 2006 I decided I wanted to move back to Denver and have been here since.   So, currently about 1000 miles from where I grew up.

[MTSkiBum 1,620]

33 minutes ago, edjr said:

about 1/2 a mile 

The place I lived the 1st couple years of my life was tore down and they put up condoms

Lots of sailors and hookers?