Phetasy News - There Are No Solutions
Phetasy News - There Are No Solutions
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Greetings from the Phetaverse!
I’ve been in Austin all week for another return to the JRE Mother Ship and this city feels like Boomtown compared to L.A. There is so much energy, construction, youth. And in general everyone seems so…happy! They smile at you and wave. Young families are everywhere and all I hear is about how much they love it. They tell stories about their kids growing up the way we grew up, riding our bikes with friends until it got dark.
Making a cost/benefit analysis like whether to stay near family in perfect weather or go where we can provide a better quality of life for our daughter in a place with unbearable heat has felt like an impossible math equation we have been trying to solve. You can’t put a price on either of those things—but as Thomas Sowell said, “There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.”
The other thing I’ve noticed being here is that my own energy level has skyrocketed, which is the real tell to me that I’m ignoring my soul’s call. I’m comfortable, which is nice, but I’m too comfortable and I’m starting to wilt, like a plant that has outgrown her pot.
At the end of the day though, it’s not about me, it’s about my daughter. And the thought of her riding a bike around like a normal kid in a safe neighborhood makes my heart soar. I can’t give her that in Los Angeles and I’d have to make several million dollars in order to give her the life and education she deserves. Time to put some roots down somewhere I can really expand and grow and who knows—maybe maybe even become a homeowner.
There’s a sense of freedom here that California has lost. There’s also a feeling that the American Dream is still alive and well. And the beautiful thing about America is that maybe California is perfect for you. Maybe Texas is better. Maybe we’ll hate Texas and be back in California or go back east. Who knows?
What I do know is it’s a blessing to have options in this big, beautiful, messy miracle.
Thumbnail artwork by Lara Cullen.
Email laracullenstudio@gmail.com to inquire or contact her.
I moved to NH from Mass 11 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made (and only moved about 100 miles). Blue states, especially heavily blue states like California, New York, and Oregon are going to get dramatically worse than they are now
Congratulations on your decision! California is beautiful, but with the cost of living, bad infrastructure, and population of crazies, it sounds like its time to leave. You don't have to wholeheartedly commit to Texas - perhaps Austin won't be where you settle longterm... or... perhaps it will be! A new adventure awaits! I hope you all are very happy there!