@TS0104 My two older kids were polar opposites in terms of their post HS years. Oldest came home for first college summer, never to return for more than holidays again. After college, he and all of his friends got jobs anywhere but Cleveland, and he has kept in contact with his close friends, and modern technology sure enables that. Middle child left college after one semester, returned to Cleveland but moved out of our house within a couple of months. She loves it here and can’t imagine leaving…we have nothing to do with that for her! Had she stayed in college, she would have been horrified if she moved during her college years and we’d still be hearing about it.
Temperamentally, youngest is just like oldest. Like his older brother, I see him keeping his few close friends for life. Older brother’s best man for his upcoming wedding is his HS best friend, who currently lives several states away., as do two groomsmen. Neither of the boys were/are into a big HS party scene, Both have a few friends who they are very attached to. I know their parents well and surely my youngest will be always welcome to stay if we move. But as a parent who served as a host for my son’s best friend during their college years, (and Best Man), I always felt sorry for him. I would feel guilty if my son did that repeatedly. He would feel really bad about that, too. Knowing him, he would feel he is intruding and probably want to pay rent.
Our intended next ‘home base’ is someplace where the adult kids and their children would want to visit as a family gathering place. Be it somewhere near/on water, or a hobby farm, or a big city with lots to do. We expect/hope to spend about a third of the year at that location, another third overseas, and the rest in temporary digs near each of our children, wherever they are. Both of us have skill sets which allow us to do temporary consulting projects, widening options for the next ten years or so. And things like Airbnb are game-changers for folks like us. Would not have thought this mobile lifestyle doable without an RV 10 years ago., when oldest left the nest.
The question is when. And whether or not my husband is willing to give up his 10,000,000 record albums from the 70’s because I am not moving them again.