Feeling blue :-(

[NicolaB]

I was born and live in the UK. I have moved around the UK with little thought, believing that people who are important to you are never far away.

Now, well.......I know this could be a great adventure, but my husband has just been offered a job in Burbank CA. My mind is buzzing, so many things to think about. After the usual, leaving friends and family etc what about all my photography training I have been doing to go Pro next year.....

I would not have a visa
If I got one, I guess I would need all kinds of insurance etc.

I was wondering if any of you have upped and left all you know behind?

Give me some sunshine

[thatBilly]

Just do it

[SwissJon]

I'm English, and lived in the UK until about 5 years ago when I moved to Switzerland. Jacked my job in, left the family and moved here to be with my wife. I will tell you one thing straight off.. I will NEVER go back to live in the UK. Sure, I miss some aspects of it, especially the lack of English speakers round here, but seriously, there's nothing I miss enough to make me want to move back permenantly.. Last year I spent a total of 5 days in the UK, and that was enough for me, being here is just better (for me).

I know plenty of other Ex-Pats.. Some are unhappy, some are like me and wouldn't move back.. The trick to being happy about being an ex-pat is to think of yourself as an Ex-Pat.. It's something different and it's something special.. You're joining a select group and it makes you someone more. Think of the things you don't miss, rather than the things you do.. Think about where you are, what opportunities that offers and what good things there are nearby, try to find friends in the neighbourhood, people will love your English accent and will be intrigued by you, play on that.. Family will visit you, and you'll become an exotic holiday destination that they show off to their friends about, but seriously, the weather in CA is unbelievable compared to the UK.. You'll love it..

Hope you can find the right frame of mind.. If you can, happy days!

[beth0b]

Southern California is absolutely beautiful and you would love it here

I was born, raised, and still live in California. I did just up and leave for another state (Idaho) several years back and it was great fun and so different from what I knew. All my friends and family were left behind, and I did it really for no other reason than to change up the scenery. I ended up coming back to southern California about a year later, since I wasn't planning on staying long term anyway..

Soo... it's not really the same as what you are talking about, but if you have an open mind and are ready for change, it can be an incredible opportunity! Think about what makes your home a home... You can take those things with you anywhere you are, whether your home is a flat in the UK or a loft in New York, or a tent in the woods of Idaho.

Who knows.. you may move in next to a movie star

[conor5150]

Originally Posted by NicolaB

I would not have a visa

Curious , would this not be part of offering your husband a job?

I'm from Ireland and moved to the US in 1994, it's hard no doubt about that but at some point along the way you figure this is where I live now and that's that really, love it here and the world has gotten smaller , I do feel fortunate to be of this generation and not like others who came and never saw their families again.

[faeriegodess612]

I've never been to Cali, but I've heard the weather is nice. It's supposed to be really pretty there too,..so there would probably be lots of new things to take pictures of.

I moved from the beautiful Smokey Mountains in Tennessee to the flat, dry, semi desert, of Central Texas. Left all my friends and family behind to be able to live with my husband. ( He's in the army, and stationed here. ) While I love that Texas is something new and exciting, and I've fallen in love with Austin and the people, I REALLY miss home. Texas is not home to me. Home is my mtns, and fog so thick that you can barely see to drive. It's hot humid days, and the sounds of cicada's, crickets, and frogs at night. It's the changing of the seasons, fall in all its colorful glory and the smell of burning leaves, winter snows, spring wildflowers and new furry critters, and summer days on the lake, with all the greenery, and sitting on my best friends back porch drinking wine, listening to music, and laughing.

It's really hard for me to be here all by myself right now. One reason I got a dog. I have one close friend here, and I miss my BFF's SO BAD!! I miss my Friday lunches with Paige, and wine nights with Christina. I miss going exploring with my Mom. And cookouts at her house with family. And fresh veggies from her garden.

So, I understand what it's like to up and leave everything and miss everyone. Jon has had success with it, and I have no idea what the UK is like, so it might be a good thing.

[Jim Bryant]

I've moved throughout the country and world often. Take the leap!

[DanielLane]

Two years ago my wife and I decided to give up our high paying jobs in television, sell the house and the sports cars and most everything we owned and moved to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. But when you let your self get into the flow of life, it's fantastic. I had all but given up photography a while ago. I never had the time for it any more with work as a video editor. 80 hour work weeks take a lot out of you. But this move has enabled me to get back to being me and doing what I love. Now I am living a dream.

Remember, change brings about more change. If you do something like move far away, you will learn a lot about your self and evolve as a person. You can become a better version of your self, happier than ever. As long as you let life guide you and you pay attention to the signs around you, you will have no regrets!

[Jim Poor]

I/we have up and left many times. I've been fortunate to live and travel all over Europe and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I've lived in Germany, Bosnia, and Russia and traveled to almost all of western and most of eastern Europe. As far as (former) Soviet Georgia.

No reason you can't be inspired, photographically speaking, on this side of the pond.

[SusanH1970]

Hey Nicola,

I have no words of wisdom for you, as I was born, bred and I still live here in Connecticut, but I did want to stop in and wish you the absolute best.

If it's any comfort, as others have said, southern California is just beautiful and the weather is pretty much amazing year-round. I'm sure you'd settle in nicely and definitely make friends quickly.

(((Hugs))) to you. I know if I had to be uprooted from my friends and family and needed to move far from home, I'd be devastated at first, but I'd try to look at it as an adventure.

Keep us posted as to what happens.