Since we've just returned from the mainland (Illinois) I thought I'd list why I loved living there. I won't be listing my children, grandchild and friends because that's a given and would head any list I write. I'll do one for Hawaii after that.
1. The seasons: We've just returned from seeing leaves turn gold and crimson. The incredible beauty of that last hurrah of Mother Nature is breathtaking. With the cold and starkness of winter around the bend, Fall becomes that much more amazing. Although winter has its own beauty, spring is euphoric!
2. For women: You only have to shave 6 months or so out of the year. The rest of the time, you're covered up.
3. Trader Joe and Ikea
4. No exorbitant shipping costs
5. Lots to do: Tons of OUTLET malls everywhere, tons of cultural events
6. You can drive to another state on the Interstate unlike in Hawaii where the Interstate doesn't cross state lines.
7. No termites, I think
8. Lots of botanical gardens and museums
9. Fresh picked apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.
10. Electricity, gas and water are cheaper.
11. Lots of tall trees
12. Things don't spoil as quickly. Bugs won't grow in your flour if you leave it out.
13. Plastic stays plastic and don't become brittle. The salt air in Hawaii destroys window screens and rusts all metal.
14. More jobs with better pay
15. Lots more coupons in the Sunday paper
16. The weather forecasters are usually accurate. Hawaii has too many micro-climates. Forecasters will tell you to expect rain... but let's be honest. They should just say partly sunny, cloudy, rainy because somewhere on the island they'd be right.
17. You don't have to be last to: vote, know election results, celebrate New Years, know sports scores, etc.
I'll bet you'll think of even more things you like about being on the mainland. Tomorrow, I'll post about Hawaii.
1. The seasons: We've just returned from seeing leaves turn gold and crimson. The incredible beauty of that last hurrah of Mother Nature is breathtaking. With the cold and starkness of winter around the bend, Fall becomes that much more amazing. Although winter has its own beauty, spring is euphoric!
2. For women: You only have to shave 6 months or so out of the year. The rest of the time, you're covered up.
3. Trader Joe and Ikea
4. No exorbitant shipping costs
5. Lots to do: Tons of OUTLET malls everywhere, tons of cultural events
6. You can drive to another state on the Interstate unlike in Hawaii where the Interstate doesn't cross state lines.
7. No termites, I think
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| Chicago Botanic Garden |
9. Fresh picked apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.
10. Electricity, gas and water are cheaper.
11. Lots of tall trees
12. Things don't spoil as quickly. Bugs won't grow in your flour if you leave it out.
13. Plastic stays plastic and don't become brittle. The salt air in Hawaii destroys window screens and rusts all metal.
14. More jobs with better pay
15. Lots more coupons in the Sunday paper
16. The weather forecasters are usually accurate. Hawaii has too many micro-climates. Forecasters will tell you to expect rain... but let's be honest. They should just say partly sunny, cloudy, rainy because somewhere on the island they'd be right.
17. You don't have to be last to: vote, know election results, celebrate New Years, know sports scores, etc.
I'll bet you'll think of even more things you like about being on the mainland. Tomorrow, I'll post about Hawaii.
It's really hard for me to imagine that living in Hawaii has a downside, but you're right. When I lived in Puerto Rico I missed the seasons and really do enjoy them. We certainly have LOTS of tall trees here in the Evergreen State (Washington) and I love them. Now THAT I would miss enough to stay here. Great list, I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSorry, we DO have termites (at least in Missouri, which is so close to Illinois I can't imagine they don't). We had the house treated about ten years ago, and as part of our warranty service the termite company comes out every year to check things out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to do this list, looking forward to the Hawaii one. Enjoyed reading the interesting things you love on the mainland!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I lived in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City and can't think of anything good to say about life in these cities.
ReplyDeleteI love the states, I love Washington and Seattle, Portland and Oregon! I do get tired of the gray from time to time, but when the sun begins to peek through as it is at this moment and there is a rosy glow to my world, it takes my breath away! The fall colors are so stunning. Of course, there is always a down side to almost every place, but many times the good is there if you choose to see it and take the time to look! Wonderful, interesting post, Kay, as always! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
How nice. Each climate has some unique great things and some not so great. Only the cold climates don't have termites. I prefer a climate with 4 definite seasons. I had to live in Florida 25 years and couldn't get out of there fast enough after my husband died. When it's 30 below here, I'll think of you in Hawaii. :)
ReplyDeleteLiving in Hawaii sounds so wonderful, it's hard to believe anyone would prefer Illinois, but of course there are plus sides to every tally.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about termites, but one of the great things about living in places with cold, cold, winters is the lack of fleas on pets. I loved the west coast but I hated combing fleas out of my cats.
Great list, Kay. You have such a positive outlook on everything, I'm sure your Hawaii list will be equal. Different, but equal.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Kathy G: Aaaaack!!! Someone in Illinois mentioned a town that had termites. Shudddddder! I wonder why the cold doesn't kill them. This is awful!
ReplyDeleteNice list!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, there are quite a bit of pluses being part of the contiguous states. That's where the action is, the capital and largest cities are, etc. So much land and bounty...compared to Hawaii...can't wait for your list tomorrow!
Hawaii's rent is the highest in the nation based on the percentage of their paychecks that's devoted to rent. Btw.
ReplyDeleteHow do you get these posts up so fast? I can't even keep up with reading your posts. I wish I had your energy.
ReplyDeleteI understand how the mainland must appeal to you. I felt trapped when I visited Hawaii. I didn't like the idea of being on an island no matter how beautiful it was. I felt cut off from the rest of the world.
there's something to be said about all places both good and bad...you get to enjoy both homes
ReplyDeleteI guess no matter where you live there is good and bad! Glad you enjoyed your trip to the Mainland!!
ReplyDeleteKay, this is actually a very thorough, concise, and well written
ReplyDeletepiece on the topic. It should be required reading for those who think they want to live here. The isolation you touched on in a million ways: 'rock fever.'
One needs to be specially drawn here to remain. I spent the bulk of my adult life here and often wonder what I've missed. But AH the weather, skies, sea, culture, people. . . HAWAII
(Guess I'm staying :-)
Neighborly Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
I love Hilo and don't feel the slightest cut off. Not with all the Internet connectivity these days. Of course we do visit family in Seattle fairly often, and we got to Vancouver, Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Portland last summer.
ReplyDeleteI don't care that much any more about shopping. We don't need much around here. We do bring Trader Joes items back with us, sometimes. And I did get some curtains from IKEA last time I was there.
I don't think I would care to live in Honolulu. All that traffic. And you can't see the stars because of the lights. Our greatest pleasure is to go out walking and see the constellations and the Milky Way And we do have tall trees here! Ohias and Koas in the park. And the huge poinciena in my late mother in law's yard.
If it weren't that our kids are on the Mainland, we would be perfectly happy here.
Yes! to all of those things. And even here on the mainland, I wouldn't want to live just anywhere. the southwest is a great place to visit, and the sunny days are wonderful, but you can't GROW anything there.
ReplyDeleteIllinois has Trader Joes, really??
ReplyDeleteOh yes! We've got two pretty close by. No kidding! Loooove it!
ReplyDelete