Moving South

I used to live in New York. In fact, that is where I grew up. I moved down south when I was in my early twenties. It was an easy decision for me, because my parents and most of my siblings moved the year before, and it was like coming home. There was no one left in New York besides my older sister, and she had her own life to live. I had recently come out of a serious relationship, and had nothing keeping me up there.

I remember when my entire family lived in New York. I had all my grandparents, along with numerous Aunts and Uncles. Little by little, they all moved out of state. Living in New York was and still is so expensive. My grandparents lived in Senior Housing and there little one bedroom apartment only cost them a couple of hundred dollars a month. I remember visiting them, and how we were told not to press the buttons in the bathroom. (They were the emergency buttons similar to the ones in hospitals) They didn't have home healthcare at their apartment, but if they needed assistance, there was someone nearby to lend a hand.

Eventually those Grandparents moved to Florida. I mean, whose grandparents don't? They looked into some Continuing Care Retirement Communities, but ended up in a little double wide trailer in a senior mobile home park. This was perfect for them because they could have their privacy, but they weren't responsible for up keeping a yard.

Sometimes I miss the days of having my entire family close by. I think my kids would have enjoyed getting to know my cousins kids. Then there are other days where I don't think I could handle the get togethers if we were all in one place. I guess what I really want is the best of both worlds.

But trust me when I say I am no Hannah Montana.