I think I always kind of assumed that I would one day move back home to Nova Scotia (NS). That’s where I spent the first 27 years of my life. That is where my heart is. That is where my family are. But lately I’m not so sure.
Last year I ordered free travel guides for most provinces in Canada and started planning out a trip across Canada. I was feeling particularly homesick and unhappy with where I was in life. I had always wanted to do a camping trip across the country and decided to start planning. I still haven’t completed mapping out my “bucket list” trip (which I will post once it’s ready) but it has gotten me thinking.
When I think about moving back home, I try to picture what my life would be like there. While I do like the idea of being able to go to the beach on a hot day, I remember that there aren’t as many hot days in NS as there are here in AB. I picture myself running into people I used to hang out with, but I haven’t talked to them in years so would they even be excited to see me?
I keep coming to the conclusion that the province is small and I start to feel bored. I remember taking a trip with my family from our home near Halifax to the tip of NS in Yarmouth. It was about a three hour drive which to a Nova Scotian is a long way to go and requires an overnight stay (at least for my family). But here in Alberta, we’ve driven three hours down to Calgary and then three hours back as a day trip.
I keep going back and forth about whether I like the fact that Alberta (AB) is so big or if I hate it. I’m jealous of my NS friends who can drive from province to province and then back home in a matter of days. I spent 6 hours driving to go camping and still didn’t make it out of my province! But at the same time, there is so much to explore here because it is so big. There are always events going on or new areas to explore.
Something I do NOT miss about NS is the weather. They get a lot of rain and snow back home. But here in AB, we get a ton of sunshine. And I love the heat. I just wish we had the beaches like NS does. Sure we do have some beaches in AB but they are lakes and not the ocean.
I was scared to come to AB when I first moved here because people always warn you that it’s so cold in the winter. And yes, while it does go down to -30C or -40C (or colder!) it doesn’t feel the same as the cold in NS because it’s not as wet. So I actually like the weather better overall in AB compared to NS. And my skin does too! Because of all the moisture in the air in NS I had pretty back eczema. But it cleared up completely since living in AB. It will occasionally come back but it’s usually if the weather is wet and it doesn’t last long.
The main thing I miss about being home is my family. If I could find a way to visit them easier (come on time travel) or convince them to come move here too, I would be completely content. The flight to visit them is long (5-6hours if you manage to get a direct flight. Longer if you don’t.) and it’s expensive ($500 if you find a deal, $1200 if you go at Christmas). My brother’s family keeps growing (up to 5 nephews now!) and I’m missing out on seeing them grow. I never even get to meet them until they’re already a year old!
But in conclusion, after living in Alberta for almost 6 years now, I am starting to picture my life here. Not necessarily in this exact townhouse, but hopefully in a nice neighborhood close to a park with some walking and biking trails.
Maroon Caludin
July 10, 2017 at 2:03 pmI can see where it’d be frustrating in relation mostly with the family stuff, but otherwise it sounds like you’re more content where you are. I guess just stick it out some more and see how you feel.
Pauline
July 11, 2017 at 8:15 amI really enjoyed reading this. I haven’t yet fully moved out from my parents’ place as I study and work at the hometown where they live but when I did go on holiday, I did feel a bit homesick because I travelled for a few weeks. I started feeling like I was missing out on “family stuff” which I was.
Those travel prices are crazy! I can see why it’s so difficult. I think that opening up a conversation with them would really help.
Edel
July 13, 2017 at 3:59 pmAs someone who has lived in Alberta her entire life, I am so in need for a change! All I can think about is leaving Calgary which in turn probably means leaving Alberta as well. I see that you’re mostly feeling nostalgic instead of seeking adventure. I’m not sure how many people see home as adventure.
I do hope you make a decision that will be best for you! There’s pros and cons to everything. For me, even though I want to leave home ASAP I know I’d probably go through periods of going back when I do move out!
Hiro
July 14, 2017 at 5:22 pmFirst time visitor here. 🙂 I personally moved from Maryland (around DC) to NYC 3 years ago, and I kind of feel similarly. I’ve always assumed I’m going to move back to Maryland “when I’m ready to settle down,” and I feel like I’m missing out on life near my parents and friends, but at the same time, with my professional life here, and the convenience of not having to drive… I’m not so sure. It’s so much more expensive to live here than it is in Maryland, and it makes a lot more financial sense to move back (especially since my boyfriend recently moved back from San Francisco, California to Maryland to be closer to me), I enjoy the food, culture, and mobility of a huge city… Ahhh.
But nephews and family are huge! I hope you find a happy median… Those ticket prices aren’t too nice at all… 🙁
Michelle
July 15, 2017 at 6:51 pmLeaving family and friends behind is such a frightening prospect but in the end, if you love where you are at now then I would stay. Family can and you can always visit each other.
Brandy
July 19, 2017 at 10:07 pmI can completely understand why it may be difficult to make a decision, but regardless, it sounds like you’ve settled in well at Alberta. You can always go home and visit any time and I’m sure that your family will always support you as long as they know you’re happy. <3
Amy
July 21, 2017 at 9:38 amI bet this is such a difficult decision to make! I can’t imagine living so far away from my family. I’d love to live in different places, but it would be so weird. I moved a ten minute drive away from my parents and they still think I live too far away! I think they just miss me living with them though, to be honest.
It seems from this post that you’re very settled in Alberta, and that there are a lot more opportunities there. There’s definitely pros to both, so I’m sure whatever decision you make, you can make it work.
Maroon Caludin
August 8, 2017 at 12:54 pmI nominated you for the Liebster Award!
Sakura
August 19, 2017 at 9:12 amHi! I have nominated you for Liebster Award.