Oregon Living
It Took Moving to Florida to Realize the Pacific Northwest is My Home
I had lived in the Seattle area as well as Ashland in southern Oregon before moving to Newport. I enjoyed them all, for a myriad of reasons. I love the smell of the air, the sound of the forest, the vibrancy of the cities, the quiet of the wilderness. It's in my blood now, it seems.
I understand that there are probably people who love living in Florida, and I wish them the best. I suppose that it has its points, hidden there somewhere. To me, its now in the same category as Southern California. A nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. But enough about that. What does it mean to be "home?"
It is interesting that I waited until my 40's to decide I had a place to call home, but I am glad I did. And I am happy I decided to return to "my place." I arrived back in Oregon in December of 2005, gone only a year. And I am very happy that my wife, who had never been to Oregon, loves it here too.
She didn't find much to miss with Florida either. So we are both happy here in the Pacific Northwest. It is home. The variety of landscape, the beauty of mountains, desert, rain forest, and ocean. The fact that we voted "Blue." I could go on and on.
I couldn't think of a better place to be, to raise a family, to live and work. And that, I suppose, is the essence of home. Where you feel a connection to, where the land calls to you to come home. I have lived an existence of movement, even back to my childhood. My parents liked to move alot.
Now, I have every intention of staying in this area forever. My experience with living all over the place did give me a broader sense of the world, and for that I am grateful. On the other side of the coin, I am very happy to now have a sense of home.
Published by Jeff Musall
Jeff Musall has a passion for writing, a knack for frank and informed expression, and a desire to engage the minds of readers. He is an avid sports fan across the board and loves good competitions. His work... View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentI need advice-I have lived all over the U.S. and traveled it entirely- I always think of the Oregon coast- But I dont like too much rain-But Ilove the scenery and go every year-where would I be most comfortable- is the weather in Bandon pretty good year around? and what about children , drugs, schools any suggestions? I live in Boise now- its okay but getting really big and no ocean!I would like advice from somone who has lived on the coast for at least 2 years
I lived in Hawaii for a year (2006), and that's the only place that ever felt like home to me. A lot of what you described - oceans, mountains, "blue" - made it home for me, too. I lived in the Northeast most of my life but it never felt like home. Now I live in Florida, and I won't miss it here either when I leave. Hopefully sooner rather than later. The one thing I do require is year-round warm temperatures, so it looks as though I'm either heading to the Virgin Islands or back to Hawaii next. Good piece, Jeff.
I have been reasearching oregon for many years now particularly the oregon coast and portland. I have never even been there but I know its home.No place in the world is as beautiful.No place can offer so much beauty for the money.The freindliest people The most scenic place on earth Though its misty often, the tempetures are nice and mild most of the year. To me its perfect i love misty skies and cool weather.You are very lucky to live there.I have lived in Miami all my life.Im sick of hurricanes,violent crime,gridlock traffic,threw the roof car insurence and rent and very low peanuts for pay checks.the rude people and the daily language communication problems.I pey 1,400 A month for a one br apartment in a ghetto three hour drive to the ocean and my pay checks are three dollars an hour.Its hard for many to beleave in the rest of the united states but its true. many americans are really living like this. My son deserves better.In newport oregon I was offered a job for eight dollars an
I can relate to your story. I was born and raised in the Chicago area and came to Oregon for college 20 years ago and have been here ever since. No place on Earth like Oregon!