Adjusting to midwest life...

[mitchanme 18]

So, I sold my boat today. I'm having a bit of a moment, I expect the result of selling off all my "stuff". My fiancé lives in Iowa and has never fished nor set foot in a boat. I think it's more about losing the lifestyle rather than the things. Has anyone else moved from coast to definitely not-coast? And what did you do to adjust? The Mississippi is less than an hour away but it sure isn't the same as being minutes away from ocean and lakes. I thought I was prepared for the lifestyle change but apparently not. It must be enormously difficult for those coming from a whole other language and culture. I'll be keeping my house in Canada but want to think of the US as 'home' - so no running back to fish all summer....and winter....

[noncompute 9]

Have you spent considerable time in the Midwest?

If you're a person that knows how to live in the moment, you probably won't worry about the "way things were" when you're in your new situation.

If you're not, then you'll enjoy going back to your home in Canada for a visit every once in a while more than you did when you were there.

Edited February 7, 2014 by noncompute

[mtlguy 59]

bring her to Canada and call it a day.

[Teripid 5]

The Mississippi is a great one-time visit but not very practical for a normal boating / water experience. Despite looking pretty um.. flat and non-descript there are a surprising number of lakes and interesting spots in the Midwest. Minnesota is known as the land of lakes and Wisconsin and other adjoining states have a number of really pretty ones nearby perfect for a weekend getaway. Nothing stopping you from sharing that aspect as long as she's not actually afraid of water.

Google Maps or http://www.lake-link.com/Iowa-Lake-Finder/ might give you some options nearby you haven't scouted out quite yet.

I always look for water and right now I'm lucky enough to live right off two reasonably big (but currently frozen) lake but miss the mountains.

The wife can't quite swim yet as she also never had that experience growing up really.. still working on that one but she loves the water and nature. There are a lot of ways to combine the two with a little planning.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I really feel for you as I live by the coast in the UK and spending two months in the midwest once really made me feel out of place, I really missed the sea. Maybe more frequent but less lengthy trips back to Canada to get your fishing fix?

[Ihavequestions 419]

Have a look here:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/IowaOutdoorsMagazine/Fishing

There is plenty of boating and fishing and other water-type of activities to be had in Iowa.

[mitchanme 18]

Have a look here:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/IowaOutdoorsMagazine/Fishing

There is plenty of boating and fishing and other water-type of activities to be had in Iowa.

Thanks! That's an awesome link. By the way, I'm the wife-to-be, who fishes hunts etc and it's my hubby to be in Iowa who doesn't. I've spent my life a stone's throw from the ocean, even travelling to Europe it's always at the sea, and yes you can feel very lost without it. I think God has a very funny sense of humour who he chooses to hook us up with....

[Ihavequestions 419]

Thanks! That's an awesome link. By the way, I'm the wife-to-be, who fishes hunts etc and it's my hubby to be in Iowa who doesn't. I've spent my life a stone's throw from the ocean, even travelling to Europe it's always at the sea, and yes you can feel very lost without it. I think God has a very funny sense of humour who he chooses to hook us up with....

You'll be fine. Hunting and fishing, Iowa has it.

Is it obvious Iowa is one of my favorite places? High quality of life, low cost of living, genuinely nice people. Yep, that's Iowa.

I hope you're happy there.

<3

[mitchanme 18]

Yes, genuinely nice people, that was the deal clincher for me...now to build a motocross track out behind the barn....

[You&Me 8]

Thanks! That's an awesome link. By the way, I'm the wife-to-be, who fishes hunts etc and it's my hubby to be in Iowa who doesn't. I've spent my life a stone's throw from the ocean, even travelling to Europe it's always at the sea, and yes you can feel very lost without it. I think God has a very funny sense of humour who he chooses to hook us up with....

I moved from a warm sunny location 5 mins away from the Ocean, halfway across the world to Montana...oh how I can relate with how much you miss the ocean.

[rlogan 2,036]

There isn't any reason to lose your lifestyle. I grew up in Iowa and spent all of my free time either in my boat or hunting. The Mississippi is awesome, especially in NE Iowa with the bluffs overlooking the river. I camped on islands, ran trot lines in the morning and fished for all kinds of species with rod and reel during the rest of the day. Caught walleye, sauger, northern, all species of catfish, crappie, alligator gar, paddlefish, eels, turtles - all manner of stuff. On the rivers, everything below high water mark is public domain so the isolated camping opportunities are actually enormous. Plenty of parks and wildlife areas but the sand bars on the rivers wending their way through farm country are even better. Before I bought my boat I used a raft and floated truck tire inner tubes behind me stacked with a week of supplies for me and my girlfriend along with chairs, table, tent, etc. We set up five star camps and almost never saw other people.

If a person can't find cool stuff to do wherever they live, it says more about them than the place they are living.

[Ihavequestions 419]

Really, people, we have to stop talking about how cool Iowa is or everyone is going to want to live there. I'd kindof like to keep that a secret.

[mitchanme 18]

Wow, this is a side of Iowa that I haven't seen. Being that hubby-to-be doesn't do any of this stuff, all he showed me was a (dry) man made lake! I'm heading back down there in a couple weeks (god and the border guys willing) and will have my own wheels so I'll be able to check it all out. Iowa certainly is story-book pretty, even the ice on the trees! I'm totally looking forward to getting involved with a 'take a kid fishing' type of group.

[mitchanme 18]

I moved from a warm sunny location 5 mins away from the Ocean, halfway across the world to Montana...oh how I can relate with how much you miss the ocean.

Oh goodness, one of my favourite places is Nazare in Portugal- especially in winter when there are no tourists. I hope you get to go back lots.