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[TraverseCityAgent]

Please give me a place to start. I need to get away from here, I live in Northern California, I am a few blocks down the street from my mom. I can't stand living next to her so I really want to drasticlly relocate. My husband and I have 3 young children and very little money, I just don't know how to even begin. We can't afford to travel and look at places to go but we want to be on our own and have an independant life away from our families. We love them but they control our lives. Please tell me where I begin. I am wanting to go to the northwestern US or Canada...If Moving to Canada do we have to get papers and so on? Or what does that process intell? Please Help.

[ultramodernchick]

I myself enjoy living in the plane states (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas). There are several ppl that have moved from Cali to here. The cost of living is less and there are even better jobs that pay good. Clean air, and friendly ppl too. The schools are good and lots and lots of room to grow. If moving to Canada you have to get papers and maybe even change citizenship.

[TerryS2113]

You've indicated that you have very little money and can't afford to travel to look at places where you might like to live -- do you have enough in savings to pay moving expenses (it's costly even if you do it yourself); buy or rent a place to live; and, get by until you find new jobs? You say you have three small children. Do you get health insurance through your employer(s)? What happens if you move, can't find another job right away and one of your children gets sick? Would you have to turn to the parents and families you are trying so hard to get away from?Do you own a home that you will need to sell? That could be difficult right now.I doubt that this is going to be what you want to hear, but I think you will find it's accurate if you are honest -- the starting place for an independent life is where you are. If your parents and families control your lives, it is because you are allowing it to happen. You and your husband need to set the rules and boundaries and learn to enforce them. It isn't easy, but it's what you need to do. While you are doing that, you can start to research places where you might want to live -- you obviously have internet access and there is a lot of information available online. You say you live in Northern California and think you would like to live in the Northwest US or Canada. Have you ever lived someplace where it's very cold and snows -- alot. I can tell you from experience, shoveling snow and living and driving in harsh winter conditions gets old. You also need to make sure that you can afford to make the move and that will take a lot of planning. The best thing would be to move someplace where you have a job waiting. Otherwise, I wouldn't consider this type of a move unless I had enough in savings to pay all the costs of moving (including getting into a home) and live for a minimum of six months. Good luck.

[pigstine]

If you are really serious on relocating, first things first do either of you work at a company that has locations just about anywhere that you could possibly tansfer to? If not that is the first step decide where you would like to end up and search the local papers on line to see if you can even find employment else where. I have lived in Minnesota all my live and we get every single season. Snows in the winter, sometimes alot sometimes not.And it gets hot in the summer. And lately you could swear that four seasons happen in one week.It really depends on you and where you really want to live.

[JenniferF]

What are your desires? Northern areas are cold. The Dakotas have friendly people &'slower' living but pay scales are low (that is where we are). Near water (oceans, rivers, etc..) hard to breathe from humidity and usually large variety of bugs to deal with.Warm, cold or both for weather? Humidity?Areas that have hurricanes, tornados?Large cities or smaller?http://unitedstates.areaguides.net/Has demographics of an area you want information. Also, can look for local newspaper on web then check for jobs or houses.

[acermill0377]

Hi Jenny,I certainly understand your situation. My advice would be to avoid Canada simply because it may be more expensive to live there, and dealing with all of the paperwork, etc involved with residing in a new country.You mentioned that you want to live in the Northwest, so you should begin by asking yourself a few simple questions: 1. How will we support ourselves? Job availability, etc. 2. How are the school systems? 3. How will we actually move our belongings? Can we do it ourselves, or do we need to hire a moving company? 4. What is your lifestyle? Do you like to hike, camp, etc., or would you prefer a slower lifestyle ? 5. Do you prefer a large city or small town feeling? 6. How far away do I need to be from my family to feel independent? Sometimes you only need to move a few hours away to have that seperation you need. It is not as easy for them to show up on your doorstep unannounced. Not to mention travel costs when you do see them. My advice would be to try to pinpoint an area within 3-5 hours from your current home. Do this by looking on maps or via the internet. Start with a state, for instance. Usually there are great smaller towns around larger cities that offer so much for young families. Also, most college towns have a lot to offer. From there, you can find almost any information by searching the county websites. This is a good place for job listings, schools, population information, home costs, etc.I have moved many, many times. I don't know if this helped you in any way, but if you have more specific questions I would be glad to try and help. Oh, and I know very little about the Northwest, but usually moving is the same anywhere you go. Be sure to think before you act, and make the most sound decision for you family! Best Wishes, KHeath