Raleigh VS Virginia

3 months I’ve been unemployed (not including census work)

2 months that I’ve been back on the East Coast from Montana

>1 month I’ve spent in VA

< 1 month I’ve spent in NC

Now I’m trying to figure out if I should stay here in NC or move back to VA.  Things haven’t been going as well as I had hoped.  It started off really well, I found a place to ride almost immediately (although I haven’t made much time to ride), and there were quite a few restaurants within walking distance. It’s taken a while to find a job and I’m not even sure if I can pay the bills with the one I found…

So taking recent events into account (unresolved issue with best friend/roomate, making another withdraw from my savings) I’m considering  calling Raleigh a no-go and heading back to the Old Dominion.  If there is one thing I excel at it’s making lists so I’ve created a pros and cons list for both locations.

Virginia – Pros

• Could probably spend time back at Zepp shooting at cans and communing with the outdoors
• Most likely could get a part-time job at a friend’s clothing store
• Could spend more time with aging relatives before I move out West for good
• Could probably go out to Montana earlier
• Would have a lot more space
• Would save A LOT of money

Virginia – Cons

• Dealing with family (I love them, but they still treat me as I am 16)
• Feeling pathetic for being almost 25 and still living at home
• Have to drive to everything
• Still not having my own space
• Probably have to burn the few bridges I’ve made here in Raleigh
• Probably not being able to find a position of any kind with either Equine Assisted Therapy or working with autistic people.
• Might not be able to find a way to ride.

Raleigh – Pros

• I would feel more independent
• Already found a place to ride for free
• Possibly already have two part time jobs
• Started volunteering for a therapeutic riding center
• Was offered the opportunity to learn how to drive (horses not cars, but I don’t know if I’ll have the time)

Raleigh – Cons

• Currently not very happy with this living situation
• Would spend more money
• Might not be able to go out to Montana until the end of May
• Would feel guilty (but not sad) for having to leave

I’ve put out some feelers to people in VA about jobs as well as riding.  Depending on what I hear from them and how this next week in Raleigh goes I hope to make a decision next week.  Also I have to call my Montana boss and hear what he has to say.

And since I’m feeling nostalgic

What I miss about my time in Montana

• Riding whenever I wanted, however I wanted (I didn’t do enough of this)
• Being able to be alone
• Driving a tractor
• Cracking a bull whip
• The company
• Strong arms
• Being encouraged to try anything
• Believing that I actually had something to offer.

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