that is how i feel: bklafhidhnafidsfiadsnk
I am sick. Eleri is sick. Rhys is sick. blah.
I have a lot of things I want to write about. For example, eleri was 18 months old yesterday. or the 'fancy dress' (costume) party we went to a few weekends ago where ele was dressed as a spanish flamenco dancer. believe me when i say the pictures are awesome! I have moving thoughts, life thoughts and a post about a great friend. but whenever i try to make a coherent thought 'kajhfkjdbnafkjdhskjfa' comes out instead.
so this is it for me today. being sick is not cool. i could live without the vomit and runny noses. blech!
i will leave you all with this question: if you had the choice- and you can only choose between these two- would you live in Boston, MA or Fayetteville, AR? and why. we are facing some tough decisions so i thought i would throw it out to the blogging world. i need some help. input is appreciated.
9 comments:
I wou;d say Boston as i can't say the other place!!! ha ha ha Can't wait to see you on the 18th xxxx
Oh man, that's tough! I can't give good advice because I've only visited Boston and never lived there. I love the Northeast and have a lot of family there, but I'm not sure what the actual city of Boston is like for raising a family. Of course, I've never lived in Fayetteville, either, but I am more familiar with it! I think it depends if you want small or big. Big means more stuff, more history, more interesting, etc, but you might give up the benefits of a small town (close-knit, everything is close-by, more bang for your buck, etc.). Country versus city. Which do you prefer??
That's a tough decision. I love the east coast and Pam, my sister, lives in Boston. It's full of history and character and culture. But I have some of my most cherished memories in AR and I love the slower pace of life it seems to have. Good things about both places. It is more expensive in Boston... Pray that God shows you clearly where you need to be.
God will show you where to go :).. Both places are great for totally different reasons. Boston would be more like a bridge into American life instead of the American immersion experience that is the south/Arkansas (even though it's Fayetteville). But being closer to family and a network of friends in F is a relational bridge into the area.. You fit in both places, and maybe both are part of your future at some point or another.
Devi nailed it...
I would add a few questions to ponder in the quest: What are your goals for this first move back to the states? What would a great year look like for your family (personally, professionally, relationally)? Are you looking to the next season for relationships with people like Jamie and Laura or to be close to one of your families? Do you envision your family settling in NWA long-term or for a season? Some of these things you can plan all you want and other plans may be revealed...{I just went to boston a couple weeks ago to visit pam (hey gret!) and LOVED it.}
I've been to Boston quite a few times, and for a history loving woman such as yourself, you would LOVE it. There are some really great family places there, and everything you would want to see within a day's drive. Plus, amazing public transport. Probably the most European feeling city in our fair land.
Fayetteville is really nice and homey, isn't it? Close to your parents. Friends and whatnot nearby.
Yes, God will show and open the doors and probably even slam some windows that are tempting at either place.
YOU will make home. You will make family. You will make friends. My friends who live out there and take advantage of the area absolutely LOVE it. Especially the opportunity for hands on living and learning about our Godly heritage. And you would do that.
But, Fayetteville is also nice. And there are pretty trees. And warm mountain-y hills.
Boston...why? Rugby, History, International Airport, Skiing, Beaches, Jobs, Museums, Art Museums, The North End, Laura and I, Great EX-pat community - Welsh People, The Patriots, The Red Sox, The Celtics, Great Schools, Cape Cod in Summer, Newport Rhode Island, Southwest Terminal at Logan---easy to see family, Diverse, Small City, Great surrounding communities, The Boston Marathon, Snow, Sun.....and so on
Well, I wasn't going to say anything because I'm definitely biased, but then Jamie did, so I just feel like I need to even things out a bit ... Northwest Arkansas: Lots of natural beauty, Easy pace of life, Fun hometown feeling minor league baseball games, Buffalo River, Beaver Lake, Perfect distance from your fam - close enough to see in a short drive but far enough to establish your own fam, Sweet tea, Josh & Liam & I, Tara, Silvy, your Bank of America connections & friends, Good hiking, Fairly low cost of living, (Rogers) ranked 10th best city to live in by CNN Money last year: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/PL0560410.html, Close enough to bigger cities (Kansas City, St. Louis, Little Rock) that you can catch larger concerts, cultural events, etc., Friendly Folks, Fayetteville Farmer's Market, Rick's Bakery, Hugo's, Hippies ... need I say more? Oh, and I think you'll love wherever you put down roots with Rhys and Eleri and have more babies - your home is with them.
Unfortunately I have never been to Fayetteville, so I can only comment on Boston. From a selfish standpoint, you know I would LOVE it if you, Rhys and Eleri moved to Boston, but putting that aside, here are my honest thoughts about moving to Boston from the UK...When Jamie and I made the decision to move to the US we realized the transition back to the US would be quite difficult, especially for Jamie who has spent his entire life living in there. Life in the UK is SO different than life in the US. The culture is different, the people are different, food, clothes, buildings, you name it, its different! At the time we moved over, Jamie applied to (and was accepted) at several schools in the US...we seriously considered Utica and Syracuse, NY because it was close to my family and an area we knew well. The cost of living in both towns was definitely cheaper than Boston (lets face it, Boston isn't the cheapest place) and it would have definitely been a more "comfortable" decision for us. On the other hand, Boston was more of an unknown...while we both had visited Boston, we didn't know where to live and didn't know many people there. With that being said, we kept going back to the list of things we loved about Europe- rugby, pubs, history, food, etc. In the end we both just felt that Boston was the only place in the US that could help us adjust into living in the US again but also a place that had the European feel we loved. We absolutely love living in the Boston area and if we had to do it over again, we wouldn't change a thing!
I know Jamie mentioned a lot of great things about Boston and yes, it is an awesome city, but there are so many wonderful things about the surrounding towns...each town is so unique and provides you with a totally different feel depending on what you're looking for...want to live in a town with a city feel but a little more square feet of living space than Boston? You got it! Want a town that makes you feel like you aren't even near a city? You got it! There are so many great places to go hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, camping, etc. You literally have EVERYTHING here! Anyhow, I know this is a big decision for you guys and you will make the decision that is right for the 3 of you. If I can help in any way, answering questions, or whatever, please let me know. At the end of the day, if you move to Boston and decide its not the right decision, you can always move to Fayetteville or vice versa. Hope you guys are well and good luck with your decision! Laura xx
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