Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A Nice Place to Live

"Be happy where you live!
It is the place where memories are made."
~Mama Hen
Where is the nicest place to live? Lately I have been wondering about whether or not there are "nicer" places to live. I am in the same area that I grew up in. That is thirty-nine years in the same place. I am very nostalgic and it would be great to stay here if I hadn't noticed so many changes in everything over the past years. It just seems to me that the people are so involved with their own world that so often it results in less outward kindness towards others and at times people can be rather rude. Could it be where we live? Or is it like that every where? It makes me sad to know that the sense of community and neighborly warmth has been lost somewhere along the way. I want to know that the place that I raise my child in will have the same kind of good wishes and kindness that I remember when I was growing up. I know there is no "perfect" place on earth to live, however, I do wonder if their are "nicer" towns out there where people take the time to say "hello" or beam a smile at you. A place where the house you have and type of car you own isn't the emphasis, but going out of the way to help someone is. A place where people take the time to call you back or say a simple thank you when a kindness has been shown.
Do you think that there are "nicer" places to live out there?

32 comments:

  1. thanks for stopping by my blog! New follower!

    I read your post and its like you were hearing my thoughts. We have a wonderful neighborhood. In all of our travels with the military, I have never had such great neighbors. We are now considering a new home, a bigger yard, bigger garage. But is it all really worth it? I hate to give up such great neighbors for all those things. Somethings in life you just cant buy and those are also the things we need the most.

    Carole
    www.frogbellysoup.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello,
    What you describe is becoming a familiar story in many places... Is it the economy? Are we just too worn out to care? i don't know but is is sad. The small towns of my childhood are dear. Any place near clean natural water works too.... any place in our heart works for me too. I'm following you back.
    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, This is a beautiful photo! I love where I live. We saved for years to afford a house with a yard and just moved in last January. Not only do we have a yard, but a street full of kids and a park that's a block away. I feel very grateful to have these blessings. From your newest follower! Malia
    www.yesterdayontuesday.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for visiting my blog and following. I am following you back.
    I'm noticing the same thing. I think maybe we push ourselves so hard and at such a fast pace we often forget to take time to enjoy the friendships of those so near us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You can't put a price tag on good neighbors, that's for sure! I think places like you long for do exist, but are becoming fewer and farther between unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think there are nicer places to live than where I live right now - but I am in a place close to family (which is important to me - not necessarily for ME, but for my daughters to grow up with a lot of family around them. I want them to know that family is important), and I also have some great neighbors, so I am blessed for that, too. Will we be here forever? probably not. Will be move far from here? Chances are, that's a probably not, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My husband and I grew up near the area we live in now. I think there probably are "nicer" places to live, but for us being near family is MOST important. We do have great neighbors, but sometimes its nice to dream about the neighborhoods in the movies, nobody locks their doors, all of the children play outside, all day long, all the neighbors are like family...Ha, that's the movies right! Our dream is to live on land, lots of acres where we can have family gatherings, but land like that around here in Texas is SUPER expensive, but its nice to dream :) THanks for your comment today, made me feel MUCH better. So happy we're bloggy friends!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Take it from someone who moved away from "home" after 31 years, the nicest place to be is where your family and lifelong friends are. After 15 years away I've never found what I had right in my own backyard. Now I'm just trying to get back there.

    Thanks for visiting my blog today, I'm following back. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I lived in several different cities and just a year ago moved back to my home town- the city where I grew up. My hubby and I LOVE it here- EVERYTHING about it :) It's hard to pick up and move- the grass is never greener, so they say- and I do believe :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous photo! Thanks for following my blog. Following you back! Monique xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just recently a few friends and I were commenting that here in NY, people (strangers) generally don't talk to one another. One of my friends was visiting another state (I can't remember which one), and a woman whom she did not know actually smiled and said hi; my friend was surprised -- people don't usually do that here! What a shame! I wonder if people in that state are generally that nice?

    I am blessed to have some great neighbors; we all look out for each other and we trust each other. Sadly, though, one of these good neighbors is moving soon. :( I agree that "You can't put a price tag on good neighbors!"

    ReplyDelete
  12. ey There.

    I'm stopping by from Tuesday Tag Along. I was already following you, but I wanted to stop by and remind you to feel free to join in my new blog hop, Wobble Over Wednesday.

    I hope to see you there :)
    -Amanda T
    http://mylifewithratsandmore.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. "Be happy where you live! It is the place where memories are made." What a gorgeous thing to say!

    Unfortunately the grass is always greener when it comes to moving homes/cities/countries! Having moved away from my family and my home town about 5 years ago I'm desperate to be back there, despite all the changes that have happened there in the time away!

    :) Hazel

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear cousin,

    I think that it is like this everywhere - it is not the place where you live, but the people... and unfortunately, people are changing for the worse everywhere... it is the daily stress, the worries, the anger... it just makes them crazy... BUT it is people like you, who still believe in love and kindness, that will save the world from being a dreary planet in a few years - believe me!!
    Love IS the answer... it really is.
    Love you,
    P.

    ReplyDelete
  15. There are totally nicer places than where we are now. We were shocked to discover how rude a lot of people are here when we moved. Shocked. Seriously, and we came from a big city to a small town so we were kind of expecting the opposite!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have been saying the same thing about the area I'm in for years. It seems like people are too busy to say hi to their neighbors, kids are rarely outside playing, and if you do see someone then it's just a quick hello. Where I grew up that's a different story. Everyone knew one another. Families would hang out in their yards or on their front steps and would say hi to people who walked by. If you were having a small party it wasn't odd for a neighbor to walk over. I miss that and hope one day that Abby has that!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I suppose every place has that type of thing unfortunately. :(

    I live in a small town and I HATE it. It's where I grew up and it has small town mentality, prejudices, gossip, and that need to be in everybody's business. I can't wait to move...almost here!

    I LOVE living in college towns. I like the melting pot it brings and the life, energy, and culture it offers.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I live in a college town in Germany. It is indeed a melting pot, and people tend to be friendlier here than most German towns you go to. I would love to stay here, but my husband is through. SO I guess my dream place to live France. The countrysides is absolutely beautiful, peaceful and the cities are vibrant and full of friendly folks.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm sure there are places that may not be "nice" depending on crime/danger/ etc. but, all of the places I have lived have been okay/safe and we have made them homey. It takes me a while to warm up to a new home but, now after three years in North Carolina I love it here and would call this a very nice place:). Love your picture!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nice neighborhoods are a blessing but no matter where you live there are both 'nice' neighbors and those that are not so nice. Just avoid those people. This world is not always "nice". Its what you make of it and who you surround yourself with. Reality is a good thing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Home and where you live is what you make it. That said I live in an area that is more geared to 55 and older vs 15 and younger. I do wish we lived in a more kid friendly/family oriented place. We will move someday...

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Moving is a new adventure. I didn't want to stay in the same neighborhood I grew up in but I'm still in the same borough of NYC. I always wanted change. Some neighbors or neighborhoods are nice and not so nice depending on the day/people/weather etc. Who really knows? I think that's just life. Home is where your family is. In your four walls...that's what my mom says.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is something I am still struggling. Having moved from Philippines to America, I definitely would come back home in a heartbeat if I can. I find it lonely in our neighborhood. I agree with Patty, home is where your family is. I wish someday, my mom and sisters can live here nearby too so we don't have to cross the world just to see each other.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hmmm this is a tough one for me. I'm living in my 7th house after moving many times with my husband's previous company. There are days I feel like a nomad, never really having a place to call home. Though I make it home the best I can while living there. We're not near family though and that is very hard. Boy, I could write a whole post on this! I hope you have a wonderful day.
    Blessings
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  26. Just found the Nestwork and glad I did. I suppose everywhere has it's downfalls. I like small quiet towns. We say no thanks to city life, way to busy for us. We've lived in Florida and here we are back to where we both grew up. This is home to us.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Agreed! I'm such a nostalgic person, hence why every time I go visit my family at home it takes me about a week to recover from missing it so much. The most important part about having a new home though are the new memories you make there. Regardless of where you choose to build your new family/home I think it will be special because you'll make it special :-D.

    Gosh mama H you just have this effect on me. I'm getting emotional!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think you live in a very nice area. The pressure of everyday work and life struggles seem to change people over time. I wish I could still live in the same area I was born and grew up in, but my family had moved across different countries. I feel fortunate to call San Franscisco Bay Area my home, but there are all sorts of challenges living in a high-cost city. Thanks for your kind comment in my blog. It was very hard dealing with my father's death. But my daughter's hugs and kisses have kept me going. I am glad I stumbled upon your blog as well - your posts are inspirational and have the tone of gentleness and kindness. The blogger awards you received are well deserved.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I live about an hour north of were I grew up. I like it better here and it's nice to still be close-ish to all of the family.

    My hometown looks bad when I drive through though. I think it's the way we see things for what they are as adults. "When I was a child I saw the world as a little child..." type of deal.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I have honestly been wondering the same thing! It's like now the area where I grew up in and now raising my kids has changed so much. It has changed so much that I will be homeschooling my children, our towns population has gotten ridiculous and I hate the class sizes! I just have been praying that we can find a nice area to live and raise our family, times are so scary and uncertain these days!

    http://www.peacefulislandmother.yolasite.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love where I live! Coeur d'Alene (core dalane), Idaho)
    ... and people are rude everywhere you go. I was just whining to my husband about this the other day.
    It completely throws me off when I smile at someone, trying to be cheerful, and receive I cold, 'wipe that smile of your face' look.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

 

Blog Design By Sour Apple Studio © All Rights Reserved.