Even farther away.

It seems lately that the county in which we live is hell bent on screwing us over.  Firstly, they have proposed budget cuts that will affect Papa B's job.  He'll likely have one if the measure passes, but he may be making less than he is now.  Also in the proposed cut is to close the elementary school that the Cees are set to attend.  It's a small school, but not under enrolled. We are fighting hard to save it, and it comes down to whether or not the school board can be persuaded to cut the budget elsewhere and it's not financially feasible to close one school.  In addition to that, our county is considering using its power of eminent domain to seize a neighboring property to build a larger fire station to keep up with the rapid growth in our town.  Growth that is slowly encroaching on us like a rising flood.

We have property in a neighboring state that has two homes on the property.  Right now, we are fixing up the larger home to rent out to generate income, and slowly fixing up the smaller home to use as a summer/winter getaway.  We have long considered what would spur us to move out there (4.5 hours from where we currently are).  I told Papa B that I would move there under two conditions.  One, I want city water at the house.  As it is now, the small cabin has no running water, but that is part of the fixing up.  The well is rusty and not my preferred water source.  Thankfully, a city water pumping station is a few hundred yards away.  Two, is I want Internet.  If I am to move half a day's drive from my family and friends, then I want reliable means to contact them.

But I asked myself on our most recent trip if I would be HAPPY out there.  The property is, at best, a 30 minute drive to a town.  And it's not a thriving metropolis.  It's a little town that boasts a Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply, and a large bridge.  That's about it.  If you want more civilization, then another half hour's drive is necessary.  This part of the country is poor.  Poor and rural.  Would I be out of place here?  Yes.  Very much so.  Would my son get a Mt. Dew addition?  Probably.  Would I be seen as 'uppity', because I want my children to educate themselves to their highest potential?  Absolutely.  Would our family be targets for theft because we would be considered 'rich' and have nicer things?  Perhaps.  It's things like that that give me pause about moving out there.  But, for me, is how isolated I'd feel.  I'd feel intellectually isolated.  I'd feel socially isolated, since I think I'd have difficulty finding women who I can talk to that would stimulate me intellectually.  Women who have had education, jobs, and been on a similar path that I've been on.

If there is a move in the works, it would be until the youngest C is out of elementary school.  We feel that their best opportunity educationally is here (in spite of the whole school closing possibility).  But it is in the back of our minds, and is yet to be decided.