My wife and I moved to a small town in Montana in 2016 at age 28. I had a great job in a Union and my wife was working a dentist office. Now my wife quit her job in 2018 and we own our home debt free.
@ I was scared to leave my job in San Francisco too. I worked two jobs until July 1 2018. But it was worth it! Like you said “the Mexican food sucks, and there is less to do, but keeping your kids safe and making babies is fun”
@ I got a job as a Salesman of Log homes and a social worker. It’s sucks looking in the want adds-indeed. But I hope I never do it again!!!! 😂 but it was worth it. I think life would have worked out fine in the Local -# 8 in San Francisco too, life has a way of working out on a multitude of roads
@ San Francisco is beautiful but a tough place to live, people aren’t friendly anymore. Great weather though. Moved to the Pacific Northwest and it’s been hard to adjust to the gloomy weather. It’s good to hear the move worked out well for you, I honestly don’t know how people survive outside of being near a big city since I’ve never done it.
My wife and I retired to a HCOL area. What’s funny is we made our money buying and living in a market like where you are. When we started houses were all in the low $100k’s. Now everything starts in the mid $500k’s. Buying entry level that went up allowed us to retire where we wanted to. This said, if for some reason our HCOL area becomes too much we will do exactly what you did. We will have no problem cashing out the equity and selecting a more affordable area. Also, affordable doesn’t have to mean a bad area either. You do what you gotta’ do to get it done.
Starting in an affordable market and leveraging equity to transition to a high-cost-of-living area is such a smart move. You’ve proven that affordability doesn’t mean compromise-it’s about aligning with your values and long-term goals. If the time comes to cash out and relocate, your strategy and mindset have already set you up for success. Appreciate you sharing!
I live in the Midwest IL but what you quickly realize here is everyone wants to raise children in the suburbs and that’s expensive! I don’t live in the suburbs & people look down on you but I am 30 with 3 kids and a husband we own our home paid off just purchased a flip for 60k. We have two business and my husband a union mechanic but we have to save hard in this economy. There is still hope for people but be comfortable with getting uncomfortable if not you will not progress unless you come from wealth.also we lived at my dads house for 8 years until we purchased a duplex so we could live upstairs and my parents downstairs. People judged us harshly but I think our generation does not want to sacrifice anything they would rather look like they have it together then acutely having it together I might not have a house in the suburbs but they have mortgages I do not
Wow, I love your story! You've made incredible sacrifices to build a solid foundation for your family, and it’s paying off in such a big way. Living at your dad's house and starting with a duplex shows the power of humility and long-term vision. You're absolutely right-our generation often struggles with trading short-term comfort for long-term progress. Owning your home outright and investing in a flip while running businesses is no small feat. Kudos to you for doing what’s best for your family, even in the face of judgment. Your story is proof that with hard work and sacrifice, there’s still hope for financial freedom, even in today’s economy!
Yuo both did the best decision how Yuo lived before Yuo lived in yuor own place not with the parents and now Yuo live free of stress and worries the problem it’s that people want to live a life they can’t afford and never will with this expensive time and Yuo never will make people happy ok Yuo live yuor life even if Yuo have to live frugal to save it’s ok because no body will come to save Yuo but yourself
Yuo both did the best decision how Yuo lived before Yuo lived in yuor own place not with the parents and now Yuo live free of stress and worries the problem it’s that people want to live a life they can’t afford and never will with this expensive time and Yuo never will make people happy ok Yuo live yuor life even if Yuo have to live frugal to save it’s ok because no body will come to save Yuo but yourself
I’m a structural engineer living in southern WV. Pay here is exactly the same as pay in a city like Columbus or Pittsburgh which I have engineer friends in. Small towns are the way to go, especially for a lot of people in medical/engineering professions.
You are totally right ! We moved from SoCal to a small town in Houston .Quality of life is slower & more wholesome.Best decision ever & now we are living our dream with a purpose, flipping houses.
I live in Greece. There are small towns where you can pay rent for as low as 150 euros per month. Yet, people prefer to live in big cities and pay 4-6 times more for tiny apartments and struggle to survive. Life in small towns is boring and young people are not willing to move. As a result, schools are closing down in small cities which makes it more difficult to move for those few young people with children who would consider moving.
NOT HAVING KIDS IS THE BEST CHOICE I EVER MADE. The biggest lie that we have been told is that you won't be happy unless you have kids. To this day, I get hounded by friends and family about why I do not have children. When I was young I decided to take control of my life and live as cheaply as possible and invest in the stock market at a young age thanks to the teachings of Warren Buffet. Now I am 47 years old and I own a $1.4M house in San Jose California thanks to the high salary and stock options from my tech job in Silicon Valley and I got lucky in the stock market as my company stock rose to over 20X returns over the years. I have over $5M in my investments portfolio and a house that is all paid off. I am now retired early and travel in my free time. In the meantime, most of my friends with kids hate their jobs and are still working to pay for their kids college with very little saved for retirement.
Here's the problem with that decision: who takes care of you if you become ill? Who will wrap up your affairs when you die? My sister, quite by accident, took care of a neighbor who had no heirs. It was the saddest situation she ever dealt with. Nobody to bury you, make medical decision for your end of life, etc. She knows a woman in her neighborhood whose husband unexpectedly died, then within a fre months became ill & had to be put in a hospice herself. All this woman could do, was sign over her property to the neighbor who she gave the keys to. This place is packed to the gills, and now he has to clean it all up & prepare the home to sell. My SIL has also chosen to not have children. Sad, situation. At least my MIL has her daughter, or zmmy husband and I to help her as she is now 82. I just repeatedly see the last year's of living absolutely lonely, and the burdens passed on to total strangers!
I see we have different values. For me, managing money well is essential-not just for saving or investing, but to take care of needs, give generously, and build a legacy. Having kids has taught me to think beyond myself, and true fulfillment comes from pouring into others, not just enjoying life for myself.
@@LiberLadyAmen!!!!! Lots of vital information here. Agree with it all. I work in healthcare and have seen many patients crying to stay one more night in the hospital because they do not have a family at home to care for them. It’s one thing to have a paid caregiver but it’s another to have the LOVE of children and grandchildren who will care for you from the depths of their soul.
Would you mind sharing the reasons you dislike it? Also, are these reasons related to things you thought you would be ok with but realised after moving that you aren't, or are they things you didn't think of before moving?
Two things I did not know until a few months in. Food, utilities and services are MORE because of logistics or lack of competition in the area. But the biggest shock/motivator for leaving was lack of adequate health care.
I don't know about the "life is short" thing. I'm 64 and life feels sooo....long even though I know I have a shorter runway ahead of me. I've done everything I ever wanted to do, been to 40 countries, owned a home, ran businesses, changed careers several times. Now I live a comfortable, debt-free life with no stress and tons of free time. I think I need a hobby....
Remove aocial media and mental health of people will improve leaps and bounds in a very ahort span. Before social media we were relatively happy and our comparison was only with a handful of people qe knew in our lives but now people see what others are doing across the world and feel a sense of inadequacy. Social media is evil for the human mind. We are comparing our worst situations to the best times of random atrangers who carefully curate what to post on social media.
When it comes to choosing a place, I always recommend starting with clarity on your values and priorities. For example: - Do you want a lower cost of living to free up cash for investing or saving? - Are you prioritizing safety, good schools, or a strong sense of community for your family? How important is proximity to work, family, or opportunities for your businesses? Once you’re clear on what matters most, it’s easier to make decisions that align with your goals. I’ve found that small to mid-sized towns in the Midwest often strike a good balance between affordability and safety. I like Michigan because of all the seasons and trees, typically cooler weather. Then, I would look for a a good churches, then websites like Niche.com to see school ratings and growing economy for good house appreciation around the area and then just choose a place I like based on preference.
As General Ackbar said …. Him trying to tell you middle America is not boring…. “It’s a trap 🪤!”. If I didn’t travel and heavily use the airport, then I would lose my mind. Seattle is way more exciting. I moved back to my home state to be near family in 2019 and built a new home. I have kept my Seattle salary and remote status. Am I financially better off? Sure. Do I think middle America is exciting? Hell no. There is a reason the cost of living is lower.
I get where you’re coming from-Seattle is definitely one of the most beautiful cities, and Washington in general is stunning with lots to do. I actually lived there for years and loved it. For me, moving to the Midwest wasn’t about excitement but about prioritizing faith, family, and financial freedom. Ironically, that slower pace and intentional living make me excited! It’s not for everyone, but it’s given me the peace and purpose I was looking for.
Did anyone think that maybe God is making the cost of living go up? The reason why I say this is because people are getting very nasty. People are getting so nasty that I think some of us need to have high cost of living because people are getting very nasty. I don't even feel sorry for them.
There’s only one thing I can’t live without. High speed internet at least 500 mps nothing less with decent latency of less than 20 ms. Is that too much to ask?
I’ve been stuck in the ‘hustle’ mode for years... hearing this makes me wonder if I’m missing out on something better. Time to rethink the grind and maybe find more balance. Anyone else feeling the same? 🏙➡🌳
My wife and I moved to a small town in Montana in 2016 at age 28. I had a great job in a Union and my wife was working a dentist office.
Now my wife quit her job in 2018 and we own our home debt free.
@@johnklinger943 way to go, John! Montana is beautiful!
@ I was scared to leave my job in San Francisco too. I worked two jobs until July 1 2018. But it was worth it! Like you said “the Mexican food sucks, and there is less to do, but keeping your kids safe and making babies is fun”
Just curious what type of work did you do after the move? I worry about the job market in smaller places
@ I got a job as a Salesman of Log homes and a social worker. It’s sucks looking in the want adds-indeed. But I hope I never do it again!!!! 😂 but it was worth it. I think life would have worked out fine in the Local -# 8 in San Francisco too, life has a way of working out on a multitude of roads
@ San Francisco is beautiful but a tough place to live, people aren’t friendly anymore. Great weather though. Moved to the Pacific Northwest and it’s been hard to adjust to the gloomy weather. It’s good to hear the move worked out well for you, I honestly don’t know how people survive outside of being near a big city since I’ve never done it.
Glad you and your family are back and posting new videos!
Be Happy that you have someone who stood by your side. My ex-wife said she would too but when money ran out she bounced
My wife and I retired to a HCOL area. What’s funny is we made our money buying and living in a market like where you are. When we started houses were all in the low $100k’s. Now everything starts in the mid $500k’s. Buying entry level that went up allowed us to retire where we wanted to. This said, if for some reason our HCOL area becomes too much we will do exactly what you did. We will have no problem cashing out the equity and selecting a more affordable area. Also, affordable doesn’t have to mean a bad area either. You do what you gotta’ do to get it done.
Starting in an affordable market and leveraging equity to transition to a high-cost-of-living area is such a smart move. You’ve proven that affordability doesn’t mean compromise-it’s about aligning with your values and long-term goals. If the time comes to cash out and relocate, your strategy and mindset have already set you up for success. Appreciate you sharing!
I live in the Midwest IL but what you quickly realize here is everyone wants to raise children in the suburbs and that’s expensive! I don’t live in the suburbs & people look down on you but I am 30 with 3 kids and a husband we own our home paid off just purchased a flip for 60k. We have two business and my husband a union mechanic but we have to save hard in this economy. There is still hope for people but be comfortable with getting uncomfortable if not you will not progress unless you come from wealth.also we lived at my dads house for 8 years until we purchased a duplex so we could live upstairs and my parents downstairs. People judged us harshly but I think our generation does not want to sacrifice anything they would rather look like they have it together then acutely having it together I might not have a house in the suburbs but they have mortgages I do not
Wow, I love your story! You've made incredible sacrifices to build a solid foundation for your family, and it’s paying off in such a big way. Living at your dad's house and starting with a duplex shows the power of humility and long-term vision. You're absolutely right-our generation often struggles with trading short-term comfort for long-term progress. Owning your home outright and investing in a flip while running businesses is no small feat. Kudos to you for doing what’s best for your family, even in the face of judgment. Your story is proof that with hard work and sacrifice, there’s still hope for financial freedom, even in today’s economy!
Yuo both did the best decision how Yuo lived before Yuo lived in yuor own place not with the parents and now Yuo live free of stress and worries the problem it’s that people want to live a life they can’t afford and never will with this expensive time and Yuo never will make people happy ok Yuo live yuor life even if Yuo have to live frugal to save it’s ok because no body will come to save Yuo but yourself
Yuo both did the best decision how Yuo lived before Yuo lived in yuor own place not with the parents and now Yuo live free of stress and worries the problem it’s that people want to live a life they can’t afford and never will with this expensive time and Yuo never will make people happy ok Yuo live yuor life even if Yuo have to live frugal to save it’s ok because no body will come to save Yuo but yourself
Agreed. They aren’t going to have it together when they wind up in the street.
Wow i really needed to watch this video. You have inspired me. Thank you.
So happy to see you both sending positive thoughts 🫶🏼✨🌸
Ha, ha, That's a good point. Actually scientists now say that boring is good for your brain health.
haha...exactly
That's the first time Ive heard that. Can you link to these studies?
@@Whatreally123 A quick google search will dig them up.
I missed you guys, so happy you are back.
I’m a structural engineer living in southern WV. Pay here is exactly the same as pay in a city like Columbus or Pittsburgh which I have engineer friends in. Small towns are the way to go, especially for a lot of people in medical/engineering professions.
What made you decide on Michigan?
Also in Michigan. It’s a beautiful state.
I moved to Michigan from Texas.
Definitely agree!
Dude the tahquamenon falls footage was amazing!!! 😎
Appreciate it, man! I took that when I first visited Michigan a few years ago.
Awesome work! Great testimony.
Glory to God, my friend! He’s been so good, and I’m grateful for how He’s guided me every step of the way.
You are totally right ! We moved from SoCal to a small town in Houston .Quality of life is slower & more wholesome.Best decision ever & now we are living our dream with a purpose, flipping houses.
I grew up in a Michigan. It’s a beautiful State.
Boring is all in your mind…find new things that you love!
oh yea!
Glad your back
🙋♀️ I moved 1000 miles to Detroit almost 2 years ago. BEST DECISION EVER
Yea, Michigan is definitely underrated!
inspiring. hope i could have that courage too.
I live in Greece. There are small towns where you can pay rent for as low as 150 euros per month. Yet, people prefer to live in big cities and pay 4-6 times more for tiny apartments and struggle to survive. Life in small towns is boring and young people are not willing to move. As a result, schools are closing down in small cities which makes it more difficult to move for those few young people with children who would consider moving.
I live in San Diego and the median where I live is $800k. Planning to relocate to AZ
wow, that's insane! Never really explored Arizona except Flagstaff. That is beautiful area and not as hot as other areas in Arizona.
Where did yuo moved from
NOT HAVING KIDS IS THE BEST CHOICE I EVER MADE. The biggest lie that we have been told is that you won't be happy unless you have kids. To this day, I get hounded by friends and family about why I do not have children. When I was young I decided to take control of my life and live as cheaply as possible and invest in the stock market at a young age thanks to the teachings of Warren Buffet. Now I am 47 years old and I own a $1.4M house in San Jose California thanks to the high salary and stock options from my tech job in Silicon Valley and I got lucky in the stock market as my company stock rose to over 20X returns over the years. I have over $5M in my investments portfolio and a house that is all paid off. I am now retired early and travel in my free time. In the meantime, most of my friends with kids hate their jobs and are still working to pay for their kids college with very little saved for retirement.
Here's the problem with that decision: who takes care of you if you become ill? Who will wrap up your affairs when you die?
My sister, quite by accident, took care of a neighbor who had no heirs. It was the saddest situation she ever dealt with. Nobody to bury you, make medical decision for your end of life, etc.
She knows a woman in her neighborhood whose husband unexpectedly died, then within a fre months became ill & had to be put in a hospice herself. All this woman could do, was sign over her property to the neighbor who she gave the keys to. This place is packed to the gills, and now he has to clean it all up & prepare the home to sell.
My SIL has also chosen to not have children. Sad, situation. At least my MIL has her daughter, or zmmy husband and I to help her as she is now 82.
I just repeatedly see the last year's of living absolutely lonely, and the burdens passed on to total strangers!
@@LiberLadyhow about brothers and sisters and friends? Some kids can’t stand their parents. Can’t depend on children to take care of you.
Sounds like what makes you happy is control, money, and travel. Those have always been means to an end for me with no real intrinsic value.
I see we have different values. For me, managing money well is essential-not just for saving or investing, but to take care of needs, give generously, and build a legacy. Having kids has taught me to think beyond myself, and true fulfillment comes from pouring into others, not just enjoying life for myself.
@@LiberLadyAmen!!!!! Lots of vital information here. Agree with it all. I work in healthcare and have seen many patients crying to stay one more night in the hospital because they do not have a family at home to care for them. It’s one thing to have a paid caregiver but it’s another to have the LOVE of children and grandchildren who will care for you from the depths of their soul.
Hi Jereme,
How can I contact you! You are such an inspiration!
Best I can do is move from an apartment to a Van.
@@vivi44 one step at a time. move forward.
Honestly it's not for everyone. I moved to a rual area about a year ago and I hate it for many reasons.
Would you mind sharing the reasons you dislike it? Also, are these reasons related to things you thought you would be ok with but realised after moving that you aren't, or are they things you didn't think of before moving?
Great question, Jay. Im curious too. I personally would not move to an area I didn't like or didn't believe the situation would get better.
Two things I did not know until a few months in. Food, utilities and services are MORE because of logistics or lack of competition in the area. But the biggest shock/motivator for leaving was lack of adequate health care.
I don't know about the "life is short" thing. I'm 64 and life feels sooo....long even though I know I have a shorter runway ahead of me. I've done everything I ever wanted to do, been to 40 countries, owned a home, ran businesses, changed careers several times. Now I live a comfortable, debt-free life with no stress and tons of free time. I think I need a hobby....
Do you have a video about semi retiring her parents? How does that work? Thank you!
more videos coming
Remove aocial media and mental health of people will improve leaps and bounds in a very ahort span. Before social media we were relatively happy and our comparison was only with a handful of people qe knew in our lives but now people see what others are doing across the world and feel a sense of inadequacy. Social media is evil for the human mind. We are comparing our worst situations to the best times of random atrangers who carefully curate what to post on social media.
As long as yuo are ok in dealing with the harsh winters yuo can make it work if are happy it’s ok
Yes there are cheaper houses but it’s the north west yuo will deal with h harsh weather winter I’m happy for Yuo Yuo got a home
Being bored while is Mrs is doing fries in the background
Any good cities that are safe to raise a family? Let me know if you have any recommendations.
When it comes to choosing a place, I always recommend starting with clarity on your values and priorities. For example:
- Do you want a lower cost of living to free up cash for investing or saving?
- Are you prioritizing safety, good schools, or a strong sense of community for your family?
How important is proximity to work, family, or opportunities for your businesses?
Once you’re clear on what matters most, it’s easier to make decisions that align with your goals.
I’ve found that small to mid-sized towns in the Midwest often strike a good balance between affordability and safety. I like Michigan because of all the seasons and trees, typically cooler weather. Then, I would look for a a good churches, then websites like Niche.com to see school ratings and growing economy for good house appreciation around the area and then just choose a place I like based on preference.
As General Ackbar said …. Him trying to tell you middle America is not boring…. “It’s a trap 🪤!”. If I didn’t travel and heavily use the airport, then I would lose my mind. Seattle is way more exciting. I moved back to my home state to be near family in 2019 and built a new home. I have kept my Seattle salary and remote status. Am I financially better off? Sure. Do I think middle America is exciting? Hell no. There is a reason the cost of living is lower.
I get where you’re coming from-Seattle is definitely one of the most beautiful cities, and Washington in general is stunning with lots to do. I actually lived there for years and loved it.
For me, moving to the Midwest wasn’t about excitement but about prioritizing faith, family, and financial freedom. Ironically, that slower pace and intentional living make me excited! It’s not for everyone, but it’s given me the peace and purpose I was looking for.
Did anyone think that maybe God is making the cost of living go up? The reason why I say this is because people are getting very nasty. People are getting so nasty that I think some of us need to have high cost of living because people are getting very nasty. I don't even feel sorry for them.
There’s only one thing I can’t live without. High speed internet at least 500 mps nothing less with decent latency of less than 20 ms. Is that too much to ask?
I’ve been stuck in the ‘hustle’ mode for years... hearing this makes me wonder if I’m missing out on something better. Time to rethink the grind and maybe find more balance. Anyone else feeling the same? 🏙➡🌳
As long as yuo are ok in dealing with the harsh winters yuo can make it work if are happy it’s ok
oddly enough every year since ive been here the winters have become more and more mild.