I think we all think about this question at some point in our lives! Vicki asked…

If you could live anywhere in the world with your family where would it be and why?

I have to admit, I’m pretty lucky. I love where I live. My husband and I went through this discussion many times over the almost 13 years we’ve been married. We met in Columbia, SC at college, then moved to Charleston, SC and lived there for 13 years. As much as I loved SC, it was never home for me.

I’ve considered where else I’d love to live. I have a few requirements…

It has to have four seasons. South Carolina was beautiful, but there was no fall, and spring was really just a precursor to summer. Even winter was weak, really like a fall without the changing colors. In my perfect world, you shouldn’t be able to wear shorts on Christmas. Although I did enjoy wearing flip flops all twelve months of the year.

It has to have things to do. I’m not that busy of a person, but I need something. We’re not self-sustaining, and I don’t ever want to be. I like my cable tv, my internet, and having a grocery store five minutes away. I also like Target (a bit too much) and having professional sports teams in my city. Parks are fun and I enjoy getting the kids outside, but we need to have options when we want to get out of the house.

The people have to be great. I’m sure most people will say their neighbors are great, that their city or town is amazing. In Buffalo, it’s so true. We have amazing people around here, people that will help each other, that watch out for each other, that welcome you in. When we moved to the area (back for me) the parents I met in my kids’ classes were always so nice and friendly. They didn’t exclude me because I didn’t know them, and that matters to me. I’m naturally a very shy person and have trouble getting to know people because I struggle with small talk and come across as snobby because I just don’t know what to say. The people here engaged me in conversation and were always friendly. I love that!

I know I can get those things in a lot of places, but the most important one for me was being somewhere near family and friends. My parents are five minutes away from us, my sister and brother are each twenty minutes away. We have friends within ten minutes. It makes life so much nicer to have people around we can get together with and we can count on.

So, if I could live anywhere, I’d live right where I am. Of course, I’d have my house built already, but that’ll come eventually! I love living in Buffalo, and I really don’t want to move!

Thanks so much, Vicki, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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