Dear Jasmine:

I live in Washington State, close enough to the Canadian border since 2013. Here I am experiencing less light hours during winter than in any other place I lived in before. It is close to 7 AM now and still dark. At 5 PM it is dark. Before, I lived in Southern California and before that, in a country that is hot and humid, like Hawaii, I imagine.

This is my experience with the different light/ dark cycles and climates (since you mentioned this as part of your consideration regarding moving):

I hated the sun, the hot scorching sun and the humidity. I suffered as a result of those- hated the intense light and heat, perspiring so much. I prefer it here in the darker/ colder Wash state. I relax seeing the sky that is often, during winter, cloudy with no sun to be seen much or most of the day.

I would never live in Hawaii or in Texas knowing how hot it is in Texas and how humid it is in Hawaii. But this is my personal preference.

Did you spend time in Hawaii or Texas, or another hot and or humid place before? What was your experience there? Also, how old is your child and what is his daily life in Alaska? And what is your relationship with your mother when she is home… other relatives/ friends close by, in Alaska?

anita

Dear Jasmine:

Pros for staying:
* an amazing, really advanced school for your son
* he likes hiking and rock climbing in Alaska, lots of outside activity
* you are extremely close to your mother and sister and her kids

Pros for moving:
* jealous at friends who moved a lot (while you stayed in Alaska)
* You may meet a man in Texas (your mother says, if I understand correctly)

Seems to me, better you stay in Alaska. Your son having an advanced school that you and him are happy about is extremely important. From what I heard, public schools in Texas are of poor quality. I was a public school teacher in California and can attest to it that secondary schools in the second biggest school district in the nation (Los Angeles School District) are of extreme poor academic level with lots and lots of gang activity.

Outside activity in Alaska- very important. Maybe the snow will return this winter? It certainly will not be snowing in Texas!

You will probably miss your mother, sister and her kids a whole lot when in Texas. (I hope “lots of drama” with them is not damaging to you and you can assert your boundaries with them in Alaska).

Regarding your jealousy of those who moved a lot- I am sure it is not as glamorous as it sounds, living in different places. You may see photos of your friends in different tourist attractions in different states and even countries, your friends smiling and seem so happy- those are fractions of seconds caught by the camera, out of a whole day, week or month. They may not be smiling the rest of the time.

All in all, I vote for Alaska, definitely.

anita

* Dear Paperwings: I would like to reply to your post, but this thread belongs to another member and she may come back to it. Can you start your own thread? Copy your post above, click on FORUMS on top, choose a CATEGORY (RELATIONSHIPS seems to be the one to choose), Click on RELATIONSHIPS, scroll down the page and Paste there.

anita