So You Want to Move to the South?

I understand, I really do. Sometimes I get the "I'm outta here" bug when it comes to life on Long Island. High taxes, bad storms, crowds, traffic and high utilities. Having lived here my whole life, I do acknowledge that. So I guess it just depends on what you're looking for. The old adage that the grass is greener on the other side can sometimes be true can't it. 

My family has been in the south since 1978. They love it. I have been visiting and for extended periods of time since then. I see what they love about it. Those houses are amazing compared to what our dime can buy up here. But do they have real charm?  Many homes don't even come with a much of a yard. I like my yard and my big mature oak trees. New is attractive, but as one of those "old souls" I love coming back to my lush neighborhood where historic inns are tucked away inside like sleeping stories of history waiting to be told. Parks and bays where Matinecock once roamed. 

Long Island has a lot of strip malls no doubt, but down there I get confused. Should l make a turn at which Chick-Fil-A? or which Olive Garden? No Mom and Pop shops. No Italian food stores with freshly made sausages hanging like decorations handmade by the families of immigrants who came across that great ocean through Ellis Island. Shops that still make homemade ravioli and when you walk through the door, you're greeted by name or with a "Hey, how ya doin?". You can virtually walk two doors down to a German Deli to enjoy scrumptious potato salad like back in the old country. Neighborhoods where there are 10 different kinds of hand made feta cheese. Where local patrons of those shops have great enthusiasm for what will eventually land on their backyard grill. And they will share.

We have an abundance of choices here. There isn't enough options for me down there. The winters there are much shorter that's true, but summer rolls right in. And it's hot. Spring is way too short. I savor the seasons.

Maybe when I'm ready to retire, I'll like that slower pace. But when I'm in Yankee Stadium, Grand Central Terminal, Jones Beach, the Lower East Side, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway, Kazts' Deli, Montauk, or a Historic mansion, I'm happy. All a stones throw away. The noise, the accents, the beauty, the choices. You can go from your senses being fully assaulted, to complete peace and quiet all within an hours' drive or less.

If you like to stay home and not kayak at your local beach, or walk in some of our glorious parks and harbor towns, indulge in Broadway, visit our fantastic libraries or attend any number of events in your town, then you'd think there's not much to do around here, and you'd be right. 

Costs are high here, we know that needs to be changed. But I'm not ready to give it all up just yet. The grass is greener yes, but sometimes, you get what you pay for.

For more about Long Island and why we stay, visit my Facebook page by Googling Laura's Long Island.