I’ve never lived outside of California. I’ve traveled and visited lots of places and seriously wanted to leave… at least for a couple of years. But I’ve never done it. There’s always something bringing me back.
Three years ago, I didn’t leave to Michigan or Massachusetts for graduate school because staying in LA was more affordable and because the other institutions did not have faculty who did research in my area of interests. I didn’t leave after graduating with my BA because I just couldn’t bear to be far from my family.
But now things are different. I do things like read newspaper articles and listen to NPR stories about the affordability of living in other states as compared to California. I’ve said goodbye to a few aunts and uncles and close family friends who have left to Arizona or Texas. According to my mom and dad, my tía Nelly and her family’s house near Dallas seems like a castle compared to their modest home in one of LA’s many suburbs. I’d also like to live in a state where the governor is not a former body builder/Hollywood action hero who regularly thinks Latinos need to step up their assimilation efforts because it’s not okay to hold on to your language and other cultural traits.
Who knows what will happen or where I’ll go after I finish my PhD (target date: 2009). All I know is that when it comes to the job search, I’ll be willing to relocate.
I’ve lived in Califas all my life and find it hard to relocate myself, I mean I only live 7 miles from the Arizona border and won’t move out there.
Pero, there always comes a time when we just “gotta do, what we gotta do” que no?….If I ever relocate it will be to “Vegas” they’ve got so many cooking oppurtunities out there.
I wouldn’t leave because of our governor–chances are the next state you move to will have a similar one at some point. It’s just the trend in la politica. I’d leave because there’s nothing like establishing your own life, in your own city, and then showing that life off to your family (plus, it gives them a new place to visit). Also, you don’t have to stay in one place forever; just long enough to learn how cities are different and which things about Los Angeles work, and which you might one day come back to make better. Como dice mi madre, “Ustedes siempre se van, pero siempre regresan. Ya no me preocupo.”
well, by ’09, the Governator could very well be the Prezinator, so ain’t nowhere you can run in the US then!
The LA Times is pushing hard as part of a movement to convince congress to amend the constitution so he could run. it’s pretty sick how they are constructing their argument. using the whole “immigrant rights” debate to argue (from an ostensibly liberal, immigrant-supporting position) that arnie should be allowed to run for prez, cuz you know, it’s so unfair that immigrants can’t tell their non-U.S.-born kids that they, too, could one day be president, thereby denying them this particular slice of the american dream. never mind all the other slices, like an equal education, health care, justice, opportunity, a safe, non-polluted environment, a decent future, etc.
if you weren’t quite sure who REALLY won WWII yet, just wait till ’08! HE’LL BE BAAACK.
Come to a Blue leaning, Brown Friendly, State! Chicago is the place for you!
It’s a good think I don’t read my blogs daily any more or I wouldn’t be able to ask you all the questions already answered here when we have coffee.
Atta girl!
If you’re willing to leave Cali, you’ll definitely get a good job. For the same reason that you didn’t choose those grad schools: there’s no one there with your specialty.
Ktrion
happy to be home
Cindylu, I am native Angelino. I left LA for 3 years to go to graduate school in San Francisco. I did not know a soul in “the City” before I moved there. Looking back, it was a great time in my life although at the time it was very hard. I missed my family and I missed the great tacos in LA. Iin the long run, it was the best thing that I ever did because I learned so much about myself. It remains a great part of the journey that I am still on. I did return to LA with a new stregnth, a new voice, and a new appreciation for everthing that I missed. Good luck on your journey.
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