A Trip with a one way ticket – Fantastic Fifty
I have been itching to write this post for about a month now. I wanted…
We could say that this is a continuation of my blogging journey. Today I am going to talk to you about my recent move, my trip with a one way ticket.
Full of DIY projects. Full of learning. Full of new friends. But most of all full of work.
Lots and lots of work!!
I am not a traditional blogger, I have never taken a proper blogging course in my life. I kind of learned backwards. I’m sure many of my blogging buddies know exactly what I’m talking about.
Why did I start blogging?
I was able to overcome all that because in blogging I found a passion for DIY and more specifically re-purposing and up-cycling. There is great joy in being able to take something that is headed for the trash and give it a second life. Maybe that is an analogy for my life as well.
Many of us who are empty nesters have this feeling of no purpose after their children are grown. In my case, although I was not an empty nester, I had children who did not need my help as much as before, I so I was free to pursue my own interests. Also I had been a stay at home mom for over twenty years. If I was going to get back into the job market I needed to have a something to show for it. Because we know how valuable moms are, but the big companies don’t really see that as something worthy on a resume.
I plodded on. The first few years I had no clue what I was doing, I did a lot of learning by going on other blogs and lots of Facebook groups where the bloggers shared their knowledge.
Like the one that has created this wonderful blog hop today. We are just a bunch of gals helping each other out. And it was good because I was determined to grow my blog just the way I do my projects — frugally!
The Never Ending Recession…
Greece is a gorgeous country as many of you who visit my blog already know. And if you don’t I have a ton of photos to help you along. It is the perfect place to plan a retirement. In fact I have a lot of friends who are doing just that. One couple in particular, who are bloggers at TravelnWrite, just moved to Greece on a full time basis after selling their home in the States. I could really enjoy retirement here!
It is great for us older folks who don’t have to worry about raising a family or putting down a mortgage. When all we have to worry about is which beach to go to, what meal to cook, where to go out in the evening for a walk. It is paradise!
But when you are young, those are not the most pressing questions on your mind. You want to move forward, to learn, to create and eventually to get married and start a family. This is proving to be quite difficult for many young people today because the average monthly income is about 500 euros. Now that may not sound like much and in fact it isn’t, but things are not so expensive in Greece as they are in other places in the world. The point I’m trying to make is that even so, it is very hard to raise a young family on that kind of income. Even if we have a lower standard of living.
…Which Seems to have Turned into a Depression
And for the rest of our family? We would wait till the girls finished high school and decide if we would stay in Greece or leave. Well, truth be told, we didn’t have to wait six years in order to come to a very definitive conclusion. This recession which seems to haveturned into a depression for some of us has shown no signs of letting up.
We did all we had to do as a nation. We got rid of the old politicians and put new ones in their place because they were supposed to show us the light. They would stand up to the European bad guys and demand that the bailout we had received be reduced or even better erased all together. Otherwise we threatened to leave the European Union. Well guess what? Our threat was an empty one. We now owe more money than we ever have before… in fact, it seems as if our debt seems to be mounting.
Honestly, I stopped paying attention to the propaganda spewed on the TV years ago and have gained my health. After all the nonsense that went on a few years ago I realized that very little has changed. It is harder than ever to start a business and even harder to keep one afloat!
It became painfully obvious to us that the girls would also be better off leaving the land of their birth.
New York
You don’t sit there and hope for the best when you see that the government has not changed and the politicians are still arguing with each other when there are too many people below the poverty level.
You don’t sit there when a sizable number of youth have left the country and moved to other European countries to try and have a better quality of life. This is the so called brain drain. We have a very high number of college graduates who have been reduced to waiting tables – if they are lucky. But to get those college diplomas, many families have had to sacrifice and sell property in order to pay for their “free” education.
We have moved to New York. Permanently! Because I honestly don’t see any substantial changes happening in Greece for another 20 to 30 years. Maybe the next generation will be able to implement some changes. I hope so, I really hope so.
We have left all of our friends behind, my children’s classmates who are off to college now, armed with their hopes and dreams. I pray that they can realize these aspirations. They are all great kids and are not at fault for the mistakes of the older generations or the European politicians who went along and encouraged this mess.
The Melting Pot of the World
I am so glad to finally be here. To give a chance to the kids to make a new life for themselves. A life that they truly want and not one they have to settle for. My youngest wants to be a filmmaker. This is something that would have been impossible in Greece. At least now, she has a fighting chance.
As for me, I’m planning to retire in beautiful Greece but that is in the future. For now I will continue to blog in the land of opportunity and hope to grow and prosper with my blog. Because being fifty is really fantastic once you realize that if you put your mind to something you can achieve a lot. I am living proof of that.
And I hope you join me along for the ride. Now for the big question! Do I need to change the name of the blog from “the boondocks” to “the big city”? (wink)
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It’s so tough to decide to pick up and move, but it sounds like this was a good decision. A terrible shame that Greece is not improving economically. I know where we were in California… Riverside County was a good four years behind economically after the Great Recession ended in most of the USA. It happened during the recession in the 1990’s, too. Here’s hoping to a wonderful new beginning for your family!
xoxo Barb 🙂
In fact Barbara it was a no brainer. We gave it 6 years and things have only gotten worse. So it was time to move on. I am really happy to be back.
So excited for you Mary. Sense you made a difficult, wise choice and glad you’re in the states. I just got back from NYC, Long Island, and NC where our friends and family live. Love to see beauty of those tall buildings and be part of the hub-bub, but Tucson is now home. The cost of living is much less here than in NY and southwestern scenery much different. Good luck and be well.
Thank you so much Nancy. I am back in my childhood state and loving all the hub-bub, but at this age I want it in small doses. Tucson must be enjoyable too. Although very different. That is what’s so great about the States, there is so much variety.
Mary, I hope America opens her arms to you. We are at a crossroads here and hopefully we will come out better than Greece. Debt is so bad if there is no plan to grow and get out of it.. Hopefully America will wake up and get their butts in gear. Welcome.
The difference her Gail is that this is a big country with money and commerce. In Greece all the businesses have closed and the ones that are still there are moving out because of the stifling taxes. Also here you see where most of your tax dollars are going, there they go in the politicians pockets.
Mary, it’s so clear that you love Greece and your life in Greece, I know you will return. But the reasons you left make so much sense, especially with young people in the background. Our country is in a pretty bad state right now and at a point in time when a lot of us wish we could leave (I’d move to Canada if I could!) it is wonderful to welcome people back. (Truth be told, I’ve followed the Greek situation and no matter how much trouble we are in right now, it doesn’t begin to compare to what you left, as I know it — which I’m sure is far from complete!)
Greece to NYC! Now that is indeed a leap! But an exciting one. And your older kids will be far more accessible (even if they were in California!). I wish you such joy and happiness in your new home. What an exciting time for you.
Jeanie my older kids moved to New York 6 years ago. And we used to live in NY when they were little. In fact we moved to Greece when it was time for them to go to elementary school.
So now we are finally reunited here and it is always for the best. I am glad we left there was no way they were going to get themselves out of the mess they have created back in Greece.
Welcome to New York!!! I’m originally from upstate, north of Albany and I know how beautiful it can be. Are you living in Manhattan? If so, perhaps your blog (which I love, by the way) might need a re-naming. There are no boondocks to be seen in Manhattan! But travel almost anywhere upstate and you will see boondocks galore!!! Best of luck to you and your Family. Prayers to you!
Kathy we are north of Manhattan. And my friend mentioned to me that the Boondocks is more a state of mind than an actual place so I guess I’ll keep the name. New York is a wonderful state with almost anything you can want. I love going upstate to the Poconos and getting away from the city.
I’m sure it wasn’t easy to leave, but it sounds like it was for the better.
Selfishly, I’d say hip hip hooray, because maybe now we can meet up sometime!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
And you would be right to say that Jodie, because I am more than thrilled to move forward in my life. It was long overdue.
Mary, welcome to America. I can’t imagine leaving the U.S. although we love traveling and have been to your beautiful country of Greece. We certainly have heard about the economic problems and it must be horrific to live with such debt hanging over your heads. We too have a terrible debt problem here in the U.S., but I don’t think it affects our citizens as much. America is not perfect, but it’s the best place for opportunity in the world. If you ever want to leave New York, and come to a warmer climate with the best business opportunities and the friendliest people, come to Texas. We will welcome you with open arms.
Ohh Carol Texas sounds like a dream right now. But I want to be close to my kids. Maybe later on we’ll take a drive down there. I would love to visit all of my blogging friends in Texas and there are many of you.
It sounds like you have made the best decision for your family. Greece is definitely poorer without you in it! I wish you the very best in your new home! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
‘Visiting from the Fantastic 50 Blog Hop!
Aww thank you so much Marci. I prefer to think that New York is happy I’m here. Haha!! You are so sweet.
Welcome to New York! I can only imagine what a bittersweet decision it must have been to leave Greece! Wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much Andrea for your well wishes. It is good to finally be back home. And to know that the kids will be just fine.
Having moved from the US to New Zealand ten years ago, I know it has its good and sad points, but good for you! I hope you find things to be better. Have fun and enjoy your adventures 🙂
Betty you get what I have gone through but I hope you moved for happy reasons. I too moved for happy reasons. The really sad part for me was when our older kids moved here alone 6 years ago. It was tough to let them go.
Wow, Mary!! I had no idea you moved back to the states! I’m sure you’ve got mixed feelings about leaving your beautiful Greece, but I like your plan of retiring there. You must find great comfort in the fact that your family is reunited. Hoping for only the best in your new, exciting adventures! Cynthia p.s. Have you found HomeGoods, yet?! 😀
Cynthia I am so glad to be reunited with the rest of the family. It is good to be back where I grew up.
Of course I found home goods. And I just went to a Walmart for the first time ever. Did you know that there are no Walmart’s in New York City? We had to go out of the city limits to get to one. My favorite store has to be Michael’s. 😉
Welcome to the US. I hope you find many a great adventure here.
Thanks so much Cheryl, I’m already loving all the fall foliage.
So glad you were able to come to NY and hope it is all for the best!
Love your NY pictures, the Oculus is one of my favorite spots there.
The Oculus was such a revelation for me Tamar. I had no idea it was there. It makes you feel so small.
Oh Mary I totally understand your move and the situation in Greece. We go back a couple of times a year, we would dearly love to buy a place out there and live between Greece and the UK but don’t dare to invest in property at the moment. We have family all doing much the same as you or sticking it out having lost so much in the recession. I can still see no clear way out for Greece but so hope there is one around the corner. May be we will both retire there one day – I too am now part of the over 50 gang. #MySundayPhoto
Fiona the prices have really gone down now on property and are still going down so keep your eyes opened. Many people are losing their property because of non payment on their mortgage. I hope you can find something that is suitable. It really is the best place for retirement.
Wow, what a brave move! Best wishes to you as you get settled in NY! Thank you for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
Thank you Nicole. I am looking forward to rediscovering the city.
What a great post! So happy that you are in New York and your family is back together! Thanks so much for sharing your heart and being so authentic about your journey!
Happy day friend!
karianne
Thank you dear friend for your well wishes. It is good to be back home.
Hi Mary, congrats on your move to NY! It saddens my hear to hear about the strife in Greece. I started blogging at the suggestion of my daughter. I had no idea what I was doing, and still am learning every day. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks for your encouragement Jann. It is such a hard journey sometimes and we need all the encouragement we can get.
Oh Mary you described everything that is in my head for quite a time now! I really wish for your blog to grow and prosper and be full of new opportunities!
Thank you so much Katerina. You know that what I say is the truth. I don’t care about political parties, only about the youth who have no future in Greece. It is such a shame because they are all so bright and work so hard to get into good schools, but then what?
Hi Mary, I am sad to read that you have decided to leave Greece, but I can fully understand why. Our youngest is in her last year of Leikio and we are struggling to pay for the lessons she needs to get through her panalenias next year, because the schools aren’t covering the subjects properly. Luckily we have gotten away with extra lessons until now, so we can’t complain (oh, but I can!). I hope you have have a lovely life over there and I look forward to seeing photos of the Big Apple.
xx
Debbie I didn’t even bother with Panelenies because I knew we would be leaving. I saved my kids the stress and my pocket the money that would have been thrown away. The schools do not do a good job in the morning because they know everyone goes to frontistiria. It is a shame that things have to be this way. Good luck to your daughter and I hope she achieves what she wishes for.
I’m so happy to found your blog. Thanks for sharing the story and giving hope that something can change at 50+.
Sasa, life moves on and that doesn’t mean that we have to give up after fifty. We have the ability and the wisdom to constantly move forward and improve ourselves.