island of misfit toys

[the_siobhan]

I've been thinking a lot lately about the viability of moving to the country.

The fact that I'm even thinking about it is is a pretty massive thing for me. I'm an urbanite born and raised and I've always just assumed that would be the case for my entire life. A lot of this recent change of heart has to do with the fact that my breathing just gets worse and worse every year and I don't really see a big political push happening to do anything about the lousy air quality in this city. Much as I resent the idea that people who clog up the streets with their cars every day are going to drive me out my home, my lungs aren't likely to be sympathetic to the idea of breathing smog as a matter of principle. And I'm tired of being sick all the time.

Which brings me to the second reason. The breathing issue has a major impact on my ability to self-medicate via exercise. One of the most difficult of symptoms to manage when my brain-meats aren't doing well is just how stressed out I get by other human beings - not anthropophobia necessarily but pretty bloody close. And given that just walking out my door means I have to interact with dozens of the damn things, living in a place with such a high population density means I have already tapped into limited resources before even arriving at work or a friend's house or a concert. If I don't have to deal with massive numbers of people every single day, then maybe I'd actually be able to come into town for a weekend once in a while and hang out with the ones I know and like without being exhausted for days afterwards. Instead of the situation now where I'm spending all my free time hiding inside my house.

The big downside to this idea is, of course; what the hell would I do for a living? It's not like I have the skill set to be likely farmer material.

When I mentioned this to Axel he suggested moving to Vancouver instead. Which would clear up most of the breathing problems. Not the people-stress, but then if I could breathe all the time I might be in better mental health. And it would put the kibosh on hitting Toronto for the weekend more often than once or twice a year. But I'd have a job.

So I don't know. At this point fall will be coming Any Day Now and the discussion can continue to be theoretical for another year. But if nothing changes in this city eventually I'll be forced to do something about it. I just don't know what.

Comments

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

That kind of sucks.

So maybe your options would include:

Live somewhere exurb to Toronto. Work near home, have easy access to Toronto nightlife, with more energy for enjoying it if you have easier breathing in ordinary life.

Live in a smaller city with better climate and easier commute in ordinary life, nightlife not so great without a lot of trouble. I'm thinking of Ottawa or Kingston because those are the examples I know.

Move somewhere else like Vancouver or Edmonton. The "typical" climate of Edmonton is sunny and dry. I find it much harder to breathe in southern Ontario now than I do here. Short winter days means people with SAD have to be careful, but bright sun most days sure helps. Alt. music scene(s) probably don't compare to Toronto but lots of bands stop here that don't come to Kingston. Come visit sometime!

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

There are two considerations I've left out of my original post.

1. My job is worked out of three locations - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. If if I live in any of those places I already have a job.

2. I hate commuting. Really really really really hate it. I could maybe live in a small town - if it was the right small town. But I hate suburbs with a deep passion.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

#2 I sort of assumed. And a place you could have a job transfer is way way easier than starting over to find a similar kind of job in a place like Newmarket or Kingston.

Montreal - while the smog doesn't seem to be as bad as in the Golden Horsheshoe the general humidity is at least as bad.

It's a Trap

[panic-girl.livejournal.com]

The "typical" climate of Edmonton is sunny and dry.
And -30 for a solid three months a year.

You're better off in Calgary, weather-wise, but that town is so full of suck I wouldn't recomend it.

Re: It's a Trap

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

Because I'm noted for being literal-minded, I'm going to correct this.

And -30 for a solid three months a year.

Not in my recent experience, at all. A week in December, maybe a week in late January. Max.

Re: It's a Trap

[panic-girl.livejournal.com]

So the other bits were -25. Big woop! ;)

Edmonton was on my shortlist when I was moving out of Calgary, but the lack of Chinooks, with all the joys of prairie winter killed it for me. Which is too bad because Edmonton is awesome.