The Great Move...

The Great Move...

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"Tennessee (The Volunteer State) Welcomes You" said the sign as we drove past the state border. Being as California has been my home for the past 18 years, aka my whole life, it was a shocking spectacle to see the sign. We had been driving for a week from our home in Sun City, California and seeing the sign after staying in cramped hotel rooms, driving for 8 hours, and dealing with Texas's "relative humidity" (Texans, I promise I'm not messing with you or your state), it was a bittersweet blessing. 

It had been seven days at this point after parting with some of the people who made my life so much more worth living. Saying bye to my friends, my relatives, my own brother, my childhood cat of 12 years (I love you, Cypress) and even my boyfriend of a year and one month (but who is counting) was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Still, for other Cali gals and dude, you probably understand why living by yourself with no job and a desire to attend college just doesn't work. 

It does still amaze me the difference of the cost of living out here in the so-called "Volunteer State." When I left the state of Disneyland, Inn-n-out (I will miss you so much, Double-Double T-T), and Starbucks on every street corner, I soon was greeted with gas prices under three dollars. I know, unthinkable, right, Cali fans? I saw apartments with full one bed, one bath, kitchen, living room, and what-not under 500 dollars. You can't find a studio apartment where I was from for less than 700 dollars. And renting a house there... You could rent 3 room, 2 bathrooms for 700-800 dollars. In California, the same house would go for $1500 a month if you were lucky. Plus, these houses come with some actual land (as in acres) instead of the millimeter from your neighbor residential tracks we had were I was from. And while Tennessee has a slightly higher sales tax (9.75% on everything from groceries to gas), it doesn't have state income tax. It does however also have no state minimum wage law, only federal, making the minimum wage out here $7.25 per hour, noticeably lower than California's $8.50 average. So like all things in life, there are pros and cons to the area. (Don't even get me started on college costs. -_-)

However, as most of you do realize, there is more to life than money. It's now been two weeks since I saw the desert scenery (basically dirt and brush) of California, but how I miss it. I've tried to keep a smile throughout all of it, but it is starting to take it's toll. I want stability again, and if any of you readers are from Tennessee (esp. Cumberland County) please suggest some teenage hangout spots around here. I would so greatly appreciate it. And to my friends, I miss you and can't wait till I get to see you guys again. Till then, eat tons of Thrifty's ice cream and Double-Doubles in my place, okay?

With Love,

Brushfire1412