Moving house is always an exciting adventure. But, strangely, the vast majority of people spend years, if not decades, in the same area. They don’t up sticks and just leave.
With that said, there are some intrepid individuals out there who always want to push further and go farther. But how far do these people need to go to feel fundamentally different and truly free from their place of origin?
That’s the question we delve into in this post. In many ways, it is the ultimate lifestyle question. If you want to feel like you’ve left everything behind, how far do you need to go?
Up To 50 Miles–Probably Too Close
Moving anywhere from zero to fifty miles is probably too close. Yes, if you’re on the upper end of that scale, it’s probably enough to avoid run-ins with local people or high school buddies, but you’re not really going to be moving across the country. And, of course, those inevitable run-ins are still highly likely to occur, especially if there is only one big city around where you live.
With that said, moving 50 miles away starts to make things feel different. It’s not a whole new world, but it can often be a pleasant change that leaves you feeling pleasantly surprised.
This option is for the cautious adventurer or the person who wants to leave their hometown, but doesn’t want to stray too far from family. It’s a compromise.
50 to 100 Miles–The Bubble Zone
When you hit the 50 to 100 miles mark, it starts to change things. That sort of distance seems to cross an invisible line where people stop thinking of you as being “just down the road.” Instead, you’re somewhere quite far away now, and it’s a real effort, not to mention a day of driving back and forth, to get to you.
This distance works if you want to find a new city in a region with a culture of its own. For example, it’s like the difference between Washington and Baltimore. Most people who live in the area know both cities, but they’re not the same at all.
This option is for someone who is semi-independent and loves freedom, but isn’t sure whether they should go all the way. It’s the sort of person who is a bit of a nomad, but also something of a homebody.
100 to 500 Miles–A Clean Slate
People who move 100 to 500 miles are often those looking to wipe the slate clean and move on. These individuals often ask movers to transport all their stuff from, say, Atlanta to Miami or Boston to Providence. It’s these kinds of distances that really matter to them.
This approach often requires starting from the ground up. You’re carving a new life for yourself when you travel this far, instead of relying on connections you’ve had since childhood. This option is for people who feel like restless spirits and want to see what it feels like to put down roots somewhere else.
It’s also for individuals wanting to get away from it all and put down roots in new places. It’s about being free to be whoever you want and not having to stay the same all the time to fit a role.
500 to 1,000 Miles–Radical Freedom
A distance of 500 to 1,000 miles is more like radical freedom. You’re not just moving around one region of the country but could potentially pick a different one. This distance is essentially when people couldn’t drive to see you, even if they dedicated a day or two to it, and they’d have to either fly or incorporate a visit as part of a road trip.
Distances like this would be like going from Denver to Sacramento or Houston to Jacksonville. However, homesickness might be an issue if you aren’t mentally prepared.
1,000+ Miles–Ultimate Freedom
Finally, you have distances of more than 1,000 miles, which usually means moving to another country. These sorts of changes really are a big deal because it means there’s a border between you and whoever might be trying to see you. Furthermore, they often require learning a new language, changing jobs, and even forging new relationships with people.
This level of freedom is for the wanderer or the person who is fleeing something. It’s about the biggest change that it’s possible to make, and often the best way to figure out whether going somewhere new will really help you. It’s also a chance to embrace a new culture.
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