So, I'm 30 and single. Born in England, but I've called Texas home since 1988 when my dad moved our family here for work. However, the vanity and congestion are beginning to wear me down. I consider myself an avid cyclist (4k+ miles this year), and would love to live somewhere with easy access to safe roads for great riding. I'm a relatively fast club rider who races cross for fun. Skiing in the winter would be great- I've never had easy access to it and would welcome that change.
So, what's holding me back?
-The local economy is fantastic and I am enjoying the new job I started this January. I'm an orthopedic physician assistant working in total joint replacement 2 1/2 years out of school. Only debt is a loan on my Outback I bought 3 weeks ago (other car died). No state income tax is also nice.
-My family. My parents and sister are just up the road 25 miles away. I have enjoyed riding on Saturday and heading to my parent's house for grilling and a dip in their pool. I would miss that proximity. Family is important to me.
-Fear. Maybe. I've done it before (USMC Reserve '01-'07. Traveled around a bit for training x1 year), but this is different.
-Lack of a clear destination. Where the hell do I go? Washington? Nor Cal? Utah? I have a buddy in Eugene, and don't think I could do the constant overcast/rain 9 months out of the year. In fact, he can't. He's interviewing for a job in Colorado right now. Could maybe handle WA since lots of snow? I have been to San Jose (2007) and liked it quite a bit- we drove through the mountains to surf in Santa Cruz. Gorgeous. My family medicine preceptor set me up on a date with his cousin (2010), who still lives there. We still chat. Maybe I'll just move there and marry her. She's pretty damn cool. I love Austin, but it's even hotter there (though not nearly as humid). This time of year, I'm back in the apartment and hiding from the heat by noon. Sick of it. It was 108 degrees when I rode on Wednesday at 2pm.
Anyway, I thought the collective wisdom of VS might provide some meaningful insight. Help me Obiwan Kenobi, you're my only hope. And, if this was all terribly boring and too self involved, I apologize.
Thomas
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