Anonymous wrote:Yes- we did this coming out of the pandemic. From a wealthy close-in DC sunburn neighborhood to a beach town small-town life 3 years ago. Not a day goes by when we don’t wonder if we made the right decision. We miss culture, opportunities other than sports for our kids and do not fit in with the Tattoed drinking culture here. Is it more relaxing- yes- but feel like we swung the pendulum too far. Our kids are happy—- top of their classes, recognized for accomplishments that would be just matter-of-fact in DC. Not sure where the grass is greener.

Did you move to the DE shore?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes- we did this coming out of the pandemic. From a wealthy close-in DC sunburn neighborhood to a beach town small-town life 3 years ago. Not a day goes by when we don’t wonder if we made the right decision. We miss culture, opportunities other than sports for our kids and do not fit in with the Tattoed drinking culture here. Is it more relaxing- yes- but feel like we swung the pendulum too far. Our kids are happy—- top of their classes, recognized for accomplishments that would be just matter-of-fact in DC. Not sure where the grass is greener.

Where did you move? This is exactly what we were thinking.

PP here--- we moved to Lewes, DE--- not completely "beach town" because things don't shut down off-season--- much more "small town" vibe. Lots of wonderful things but not used to "small town" way of life--- things are really different than DVM area. While we love the friendly people, ease of outdoor activities, less scheduled kids just being kids (think pick-up soccer games, whiffle ball games) and the fact our "average kids" feel successful and acknowledged, schools are not as challenging and exposure to culture and worldly events is a no-go. We do travel with our kids and talk about current events but that is not something their peers are doing. We don't fish, surf or day-drink so we don't fit in with locals (nor do we want to, but finding "our people" is a challenge) Things are run like 1980's in a lot of ways--- paper invitations for birthday parties--- parties are just a bunch of kids in a backyard with some water balloons and cupcakes, no school directories, and teachers give you their cell phone numbers....totally different vibe! Not sure the grass is greener but taking it one year at a time.

Anonymous wrote:What is the “rat race”?
Can you explain?
I work but I’m not in a rat race.

Uptight people whose life revolves around work and power and one-upping each other
Awful traffic
Lack of good outdoor recreation (sorry, Rock Creek and Whitetail Resort don't cut it)

DC is the quintessential rat race city -- people come here for job opportunities and for political power, and they tend to be competitive. Of course there are exceptions but it is the defining trait of this area. Everyone thinks that they and their friends are not like that, but mostly they are.

What is the “rat race”?
Can you explain?
I work but I’m not in a rat race.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you still need good schools and wealthy friends to hang out with. Quitting work removes you from the rat race but I assume you stilll want good schools and rat race opportunities for the kids. I’d choose DC, Great Falls or Purcellville. Join a country club and volunteer.

OP doesn't need to stay in DC, which is a magnet for the rat race lifestyle OP wants to extricate her family from. But yes OP still needs good schools, UMC+ friends, access to healthcare, and some culture. There are lots of mid-sized cities that would better meet OP's needs.

We left DC for similar reasons and couldn't be happier in our much more relaxed area that still has great schools, quality healthcare, lots of UMC families (LC and UC people too), access to nature, and plenty of cultural opportunities.

OP, what types of leisure activities does your family enjoy? What type of weather?

Sounds like you still need good schools and wealthy friends to hang out with. Quitting work removes you from the rat race but I assume you stilll want good schools and rat race opportunities for the kids. I’d choose DC, Great Falls or Purcellville. Join a country club and volunteer.

What “rat race?” This isn’t a trick question. I don’t understand the OP.

OP, find somewhere you would want to live with a community and access to healthcare, good schools, etc. that you would desire. Then run the numbers to see how much money you would need. Set savings goals and move when you reach them.

Anonymous wrote:Yes- we did this coming out of the pandemic. From a wealthy close-in DC sunburn neighborhood to a beach town small-town life 3 years ago. Not a day goes by when we don’t wonder if we made the right decision. We miss culture, opportunities other than sports for our kids and do not fit in with the Tattoed drinking culture here. Is it more relaxing- yes- but feel like we swung the pendulum too far. Our kids are happy—- top of their classes, recognized for accomplishments that would be just matter-of-fact in DC. Not sure where the grass is greener.

This is how almost every beach town is. Schools aren't great and the locals raising families there aren't an UMC cohort.

Anonymous wrote:Yes- we did this coming out of the pandemic. From a wealthy close-in DC sunburn neighborhood to a beach town small-town life 3 years ago. Not a day goes by when we don’t wonder if we made the right decision. We miss culture, opportunities other than sports for our kids and do not fit in with the Tattoed drinking culture here. Is it more relaxing- yes- but feel like we swung the pendulum too far. Our kids are happy—- top of their classes, recognized for accomplishments that would be just matter-of-fact in DC. Not sure where the grass is greener.

If I suddenly had a ton of cash and could move from DC, I would choose a more laid back city but not a beach town. Examples that come to mind would be Denver or San Diego. Lots of culture and opportunities, as well as natural beauty that DC does not have.

Anonymous wrote:Yes- we did this coming out of the pandemic. From a wealthy close-in DC sunburn neighborhood to a beach town small-town life 3 years ago. Not a day goes by when we don’t wonder if we made the right decision. We miss culture, opportunities other than sports for our kids and do not fit in with the Tattoed drinking culture here. Is it more relaxing- yes- but feel like we swung the pendulum too far. Our kids are happy—- top of their classes, recognized for accomplishments that would be just matter-of-fact in DC. Not sure where the grass is greener.

Where did you move? This is exactly what we were thinking.

Where would you go though?

Yes- we did this coming out of the pandemic. From a wealthy close-in DC sunburn neighborhood to a beach town small-town life 3 years ago. Not a day goes by when we don’t wonder if we made the right decision. We miss culture, opportunities other than sports for our kids and do not fit in with the Tattoed drinking culture here. Is it more relaxing- yes- but feel like we swung the pendulum too far. Our kids are happy—- top of their classes, recognized for accomplishments that would be just matter-of-fact in DC. Not sure where the grass is greener.

We were never in the rat race. Our wealth is from a lucky/savvy investment in stocks, not from our professions or family money. We live a small, middle class life, with parents working flexibly from home most of the time, able to spent time with kids. It's nice.

Teaching our teens to manage what money they have is more important than getting them into highly-paid positions. We value work-life balance enormously.

It’s not money driven. We have been beyond comprehension financially successful. But nothing about our lives feels normal.

I think we are well grounded and our kids definitely don’t feel rich. But we’d like them to live a more normal life.

Or is that practically unrealistic?