Left my small hometown and came back 10 years later as a completely different person

Mar 31 min read

Left at 18 thinking I'd never go back. Moved to the city, built a career, got married, had kids. Recently moved back because housing is crazy expensive and family support matters now. Walking through my old high school parking lot last week actually made me emotional. I'm not the angry kid who couldn't wait to escape anymore. I've got perspective now. My old friends barely recognize me. Most of them never left and seem stuck in the same patterns. I don't judge it but I definitely see the world different now. Miss some of the simplicity though - less stress back then even if I didn't know it.

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Comments(3)

CChris P.RegularMar 4

This hits different when you have kids. Coming back to your hometown as a parent changes everything. Suddenly you're checking out the schools and parks instead of just visiting old friends. How are your kids handling the move back?

DDerek T.New DadMar 3

That's awesome man. I left Boulder for a bit but came back about 5 years ago. The weird part is how your perspective changes. You see your hometown totally differently now, especially when you're showing it to your kids. They love the places you used to hang out.

TTravis N.RegularMar 4

That's a huge thing though, going back after a decade. Did you end up staying in the hometown or was it just a visit? I'm always curious how people who leave small towns feel when they return with a whole family now.