Want to leave my home state, experience life.

metalhead · 06-08-2016, 08:01 AM

My girlfriend of two years and I turned 18 this July, and it has been an idea of mine in the last weekor so to move south, away from the quaint town of Port Huron MI, to experience what life has to ooffer outside of this state. I have family in Florida who has extended an invitation to stay with them for little to no cost to me, but I don't know if my dog can come, and that is a large thing for me. Another thought is to buy a cheap RV and stay wherever I can, parking lots, RV lots, until I can find a steady enough job to support an apartment. Overall, I just want to be somewhere warmer and take my dog and my girlfriend with me. There's so much to consider though, it makes my head spin to think about it. We feel like we could live a simple life and be happy doing so, as long as we're together. I don't want to wait around living a "good enough" life until I'm too old to do anything about it.

My mom and dad had me at 18 and 20 respectively, and I know that put a dent in their life plans. Mom wanted to be an air force pilot and dad wanted to open his own performance shop. I don't have a specific career in mind, but I don't want to live in Michigan my whole life. I just don't know where to start, or if I should maybe just shut this whole idea down ccompletely? I'm in the middle of a state funded associates degree, but it'll be a solid year and a half before it's complete. I don't want to wait and end up thinking of my idea as dumb if it's really something I should follow right now. Any ideas or anyone have a similar experience? Thank you for any responses

Pi.R^2 · 10-08-2016, 07:02 PM

Are you planning to stay in Michigan until you finish our associates degree? Maybe in the meantime you could take a couple of little breaks to visit different states with your girlfriend to give you both an idea of what life is like elsewhere, to help you make up your mind.

If you think you'll not be happy in Michigan, then I say go for it. You can always move back later if you change your mind, but you don't want to be looking back in the years to come and wishing you had at least given it a go.

mat · 12-08-2016, 05:03 AM

If you're going to do stuff on the fly, you need to make decisions on the fly. Your family you mentioned in Florida is nice. Honestly in the states, unless you got something an employer wants out of the gate, visually, its hard to get your foot in the door straight moving without any trying, prior to moving. I also know people who got dope jobs when they went on vacation and moved and started new said job before their vacation is over. If there is a will there is a way. I didn't move states til i had six grand saved. Plus thousands spent in what i needed. I wish i would have went to a different state than the one i landed in but babies were, where there are. And i had to be apart of their life. If i could go back i maybe would choose ten states east of where i am, with no baby and might of had less problems, hard tobsay. Ive up and moved a few times. Barely breaking out of a transient lifestyle. Things come up in towns you're not from if you move there, best example i could give is a bully type. Move, a few neighbors dont like you team up do all kinds of **** to make you move. Im from a huge city. I moved to a tiny town. If you're not in good with someone that knows everyone or everything about that town or area. Its pretty hard. Internet google, really doesn't touch _ town knowledge. Deals where to go, where to not. Etc. My opinion is hit your florida offer up, don't fly, train or car. See if theres a town you like on the way. If you can, i would keep your valuables where their safe until you settle. And leave if you saved, some of your money in a bank account native to the area youre leaving. And have someone you trust on the bank account too, so if you need money wired, mailed, something bought from your original area you cant find anywhere else. They can for you. Its a bit unnerving going into something without like, all your cash on a card or whatever. But it cuts needless spending. And makes you less vulnerable to lose or just get effed over. I know another person who wont travel unless they bring their concealed weapon with em. Everything, everyone is different. Also if youre driving and end up in a small town out of your state. For a few months until you change your car plates, you might have cops up your ass til they finally register who you are . I lived here almost two years now people seein where im from, ask why the **** i moved or even herd of this podunk area. People here want to move to where im from. Perks to small towns, rent is incredibly affordable

bitomato · 23-08-2016, 11:35 PM

Is it bad that I could hear that last post like a story teller in my head. Great advice really. You are not your parents.
Travelling to/visiting and living somewhere are two different new things. I think looking at work opportunity in Florida works. Visiting your family prior to consider living with them might be wise (would they let you park the RV on their front lawn?) Savings are important. Are you and the gf already self supporting or do you still live at home?
A plan may involve getting a job for the next year and a half and putting some savings down.
Studying vs. Working are different lives. See how well you manage in MI. Maybe like some suggested do some short travel breaks maybe even job interviews and look at cost of LIVING regarding apartments. Visit just you then you and gf then you and the dog and the gf to the family in FL. Write down pros and cons.
It may be romantic and not work or it could seem doable.
Maybe you can move nearby for a bit so you transition into it. Try the RV life in MI. What is the closest Big town to where you are now?
You may also want to look into health care and colleges and universities in FL as that may be another way to move but still have a structure.