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shesus · 07-25-2008, 07:32 AM

We have lived in 4 different states in the past 7 years. This means 4 start overs for having a community feel. They were all different experiences.

I grew up in Parkersburg, WV so I had a huge sense of community there. JJ didn't since he had only lived there for a few years and honestly he didn't like many people there. I didn't either because of their backward thinking and that is why we made the move.

Next, was Columbus, OH. The first couple of years, we had no community except the people we worked with. Then we moved to a historical neighborhood (McCain was actually there yesterday) and started hanging out at the coffee shop and parks. We started meeting people and making friends. Then I waited tables down the street and volunteered for the historical society, we had just fit into a community when another opportunity arose and we moved again.

Chicago the first time around was overwhelming. It's huge with a lot of people who are very busy. This is when I got involved in TFP and met Chicago members. We also met a few people that lived in our building. However, I never felt a sense of community when we lived here then. I relied heavily on TFP and that's when it became my main community.

Then we moved to Phoenix. I never fit in there. I was always the outsider. The people I worked with would invite me places, but they were not the type of people I associated with. They were mostly Mormon and on the family track. I felt repressed there and made it clear that I was biding my time.

When we moved back to Chicago, we agreed to move to a neighborhood to gain a sense of community. We already know a few people on our floor, I'm making friends through my volunteer experiences, and we still have the friends that we left behind.

I find it gets more difficult with time to find that sense of community. We generally tend to be isolated although not necessarily by choice. In school, it is forced upon you and very simple. However, I'm sure you will have no trouble finding people with similar interests to do things with if you live in a somewhat urban area.

07-25-2008, 07:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
shesus Fancy Location: Chicago	We have lived in 4 different states in the past 7 years. This means 4 start overs for having a community feel. They were all different experiences. I grew up in Parkersburg, WV so I had a huge sense of community there. JJ didn't since he had only lived there for a few years and honestly he didn't like many people there. I didn't either because of their backward thinking and that is why we made the move. Next, was Columbus, OH. The first couple of years, we had no community except the people we worked with. Then we moved to a historical neighborhood (McCain was actually there yesterday) and started hanging out at the coffee shop and parks. We started meeting people and making friends. Then I waited tables down the street and volunteered for the historical society, we had just fit into a community when another opportunity arose and we moved again. Chicago the first time around was overwhelming. It's huge with a lot of people who are very busy. This is when I got involved in TFP and met Chicago members. We also met a few people that lived in our building. However, I never felt a sense of community when we lived here then. I relied heavily on TFP and that's when it became my main community. Then we moved to Phoenix. I never fit in there. I was always the outsider. The people I worked with would invite me places, but they were not the type of people I associated with. They were mostly Mormon and on the family track. I felt repressed there and made it clear that I was biding my time. When we moved back to Chicago, we agreed to move to a neighborhood to gain a sense of community. We already know a few people on our floor, I'm making friends through my volunteer experiences, and we still have the friends that we left behind. I find it gets more difficult with time to find that sense of community. We generally tend to be isolated although not necessarily by choice. In school, it is forced upon you and very simple. However, I'm sure you will have no trouble finding people with similar interests to do things with if you live in a somewhat urban area. __________________ Whatever did happen to your soul? I heard you sold it Choose Heaven for the weather and Hell for the company