If you've spent most of your life in New Jersey, Atlanta, and Pennsylvania, why in the world would you decide to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico? Especially when we've never been there?
Are we just crazy?
Perhaps! It was a long decision-making process. As it dawned on us that relocating would be our best bet for a productive, work-filled life, we spent a lot of time talking about where we would want to go if we could pick any place in the Continental U.S. Our priorities were: weather, cost-of-living, unemployment, ease of getting certified to teach, and finding a place with the right vibe for us. We looked at everything. Here is a (very) brief summary of our process.
J. said he was tired of years of shoveling snow, so that immediately eliminated large swaths of the country. Plus, living in an RV is much better suited to milder climates, I'm thinking!
Pacific Northwest? Too rainy - although mild climate is nice! Unemployment seems to be pretty high, at least in Portland.
Florida? Too humid, high cost of living, low teacher pay. Plus, it's Florida. We've both spent so much time there. Time for something new!
Atlanta? I went to college there, but it seems too crowded to me now. It's like living in New Jersey, only with less snow and funner accents. I do have a lot of friends there, but I just can't go back again unless it's to visit.
I nixed Texas immediately. Maybe I've seen Thelma & Louise too many times, but I just don't see myself living there.
I made a push for Boulder, CO, but it snows too much for the husband. People have often told me that I would love Boulder for it's 'crunchy' nature and outdoor sports, etc., but I couldn't convince the man. Moving on!
Arizona's too dang hot - it's like Israel! I don't care how 'dry' the heat is, 112 degrees is 112 degrees. I can't do it! I'll melt. Plus, Phoenix is having issues with overcrowding and unemployment, etc.
The last consideration was to find someplace with a Jewish community. A decent sized Jewish community where I hopefully won't hear anti-Semitic remarks on a regular basis. I have had issues with anti-Semitism up here in the Poconos, and it stings. During my 2 years of subbing I have heard a lot of nasty comments from students concerning Jews, including a group of 8th graders playing not "Monkey In The Middle", but "Jew in The Middle". What's up with that??? I know there are haters everywhere and there are amazing people everywhere too, here included, but I wanted to have a better chance of not having to break up another one of those games. So we looked for a relatively large city where there are many different kinds of people. At least everyone can hate everyone else equally! :D
Well, Albuquerque fits the bill in many ways. The cost of living is fairly low and teacher-pay is respectable. Also, New Mexico must need teachers because the process of getting certified could not have been easier! Thank you New Mexico for recognizing my previous accomplishments without making me prove myself over and over again!
Have I mentioned that they have 310 days of sunshine per year??? That's my favorite thing about ABQ so far! It's high desert (5,000 ft. above sea level) so it's not as hot as Arizona, and they actually have winter, but not much snow unless you drive to it in the mountains! There are teaching jobs, and a blossoming solar-energy industry which J. is interested in. It's supposed to be beautiful and has a laid-back vibe. Also, it's been listed as a top 10 city to live in the U.S., and has great biking and hiking.
Plus, as J. says, if we hate it and things aren't working out, we can always drive our house away and find somewhere else!
