Yea another transplant

[csgray]

I think a lot of people get caught in the vise of new grandchildren and aging parents at the same time and are forced by those circumstances to go back to the mainland. I have a widowed father in Indiana who I worry about being alone, but he isn't willing to move here for more than just the every winter, and I can't imagine moving back to Indiana after almost 40 years away. I also have 2 young grandsons I don't get to see anywhere close to often enough.

Other people may realize they made the wrong move relatively quickly, but either won't admit it, or can't afford to move back right away. I've seen a lot of mainland families of my students come and go in that 2 year window, finding jobs for both parents and how well their children integrate into the community seem to be big factors in moving.

Serious medical issues are another motivating factor, life threatening childhood diseases like cancer are hard to face someplace where every treatment could mean flying to Oahu, and no family support during a difficult time can make Hawaii a lot less attractive. I have a friend who said it was really tough raising her daughter here as a single mom, the social service network is structured on the assumption that you have ohana to help out, so if you don't it is extra hard.

I think there are as many different stories for why people leave as there are people.

Carol