Sunday, July 14, 2013

Live Free or Die

I have a change of plans to relate to y'all.  Yes folks, I just deliberately typed "y'all."  Which is rather fitting considering that I might yet end up a total country bumpkin.

It was  no secret that I wanted to move.  I've been talking about that forever, and last you all knew I had planned to end up some where in the greater Boston area.  Well, that won't be happening.  It's because of money.  I had to buy the car.  The stepfather situation has changed the outlook of my financial situation.  There is absolutely no way that I can afford any rents in that area.  So, I needed to embrace my other plan that is been in the back of my head for a very long time.

It's New Hampshire.  I have always loved that state.  Live free or die baby.  Live free or die. The  libertarian part of me cries out in excitement.

The lakes region is pretty cheap.  Like really cheap.  Like 650 to 700 a month including heat and hot water cheap.  With that kind of affordable housing, I can really plan a halfway decent future while still keeping this job that I love.  Especially when you factor in zero state income tax and no sales tax.  Hellz yeah.   Many of the towns are small and economically depressed though.  So, in short, not a whole heck of a lot different than my own town as pointed out by Josh.  I asked him what he thought of one particular place and he said, "Picture your hometown with an additional 15 years of recession under its belt."   I laughed out loud.  So, I get it: run down mill towns with aging Victorians and peeling paint.  Message received.  But I would be free.  And frankly, the above description is exactly what I know and love already right here, but minus the ghosts of my past and within a closer proximity to the ocean, the mountains, swimming, etc. 

Tilton NH

I want to be the sort of person that makes strawberry jam and cans it.  Yeah, I said it.  I might even want a gingham tablecloth or something.  I want to have a fridge full of organic food and spend my evenings crocheting in the country and my weekends swimming or ice skating on a lake.  I want to plop all my paints down on the ground and take in the landscape.  I want to live in the land of maple sugaring. Now that I've learned to make bread, I want to never buy store bought again. That's what I want.  I think I finally know what peace looks like. 








But we all know that I take me with me wherever I go.  So, it won't be a magical solution but it may be an opportunity to put something together that is truly mine.  To make a choice, rather than have a choice made for me.

As usual the hardest part is patience.  I want to go yesterday.  And for once, I can afford to do this now instead of later. But I won't leave here until the remaining occupants find a way to pay the rent without me, or until we reach the end of our lease this next July 1st.  Whichever comes first.  I thought of every way I possibly could to live on my own in CT or Mass and I realize that being a slave to the rent being due would kill me eventually.  That kind of stress takes its toll.  I shouldn't have to pay a thousand a month plus utilities for some closet sized one bedroom.  That shit just isn't cool.  So, bring on the country. 

6 comments:

  1. Marisa, this sounds fantastic! What struck me the most was that while it was exactly what you wanted i.e., the area, it was able to provide the feeling that you wanted, freedom. I'm starting to believe more and more that our choices for the paths we take should depend more on if would make our heart sing and not if it is exactly how we think it should look and unfold. I read a much better way to phrase what I'm awkwardly trying to say. I wish I could remember it. Reminds me of where I ended up. It was never one of my choices because of how I viewed the city. Yet it was exactly where I needed to be to create the life I wanted and feel the freedom and peace I needed my home and city to be, so the Universe had to conspire for me to get there, because I never would have chosen it on my own. Now I can't imagine living anywhere else, but I also know that if I need to that will fall into place as well.

    I'm so excited for you and this post was wonderful to read and feel the hope and excitement in it. But yes, patience is the hardest part, especially when it is something that is doable right now.

    Good luck!

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    1. Thank you! I felt happier making this decision. And I agree with you that a place doesn't have to be outwardly perfect to end up feeling like home, if it takes us where we want to go! I was so happy to read your take on Vegas because it definitely illustrates the point that things happen for a reason.

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  2. Make your heart sing <- love this from Genevra! And I agree, I think this sounds utterly fantastic and I am so excited for you!! I think this is the perfect balance - duh, why didn't I suggest NH in any of our convos?! YAY!

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    1. Haha, because you know you wanted me to live closer to you. ;)

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  3. Marisa, I feel just horrible. I didn't know you were still writing here (last I knew, you had taken it down). I don't know what I did in my Outlook but all of a sudden I can see all of my RSS feeds there (maybe it's that I don't use Outlook on my home laptop much), and I saw all of these posts. I had no idea your father had passed away. I'm so very sorry to hear it. It's going to take me a while to catch up, but I will. You're in my thoughts. xoxo

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    1. That's okay! Yeah, I came back to blogging in June of 2012 and I post a few times a month. Yeah, the dad thing was super sad. I think I didn't realize you must have been gone through facebook when I was going through that. He took a turn for the worse in early april and died of his cancer on April 30th. Thank you for your condolences. I appreciate that! I know you of all people certainly understand.

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