I've been talking for months about moving to San Francisco and I had really planned to do it. I had a lot of good reasons why I wanted to make the move. They were:
- The real estate market in San Francisco is better than the one in Boston, so it will be easier to work with agents there.
- Great weather, mild winters
- A more open base for the personal development company that I am starting
- A group of people who were ready, willing and able to welcome me into their community as family
Well, in the time since I decided to make the move and now, I have discovered a few things.
- I enjoy the winter, the snow, the cold. I like it. (I know I'm a freak, that's not news.)
- The real estate market may be better in San Fran, but it's also about twice as expensive to live there as it is to live in Boston (especially now that the prices are coming down here).
- People on the East Coast aren't really resistant to personal growth, they just don't talk about it
Plus, for the last six months as I've talked about leaving, everyone here has expressed dismay and sadness over my departure. It's amazing how wonderful it feels to know that people will miss you, that your presence is wanted, and that you are welcome where you are.
I could tell you that it's a better business decision to stay here, but I'm not convinced that it is. There are pros and cons to both staying and going that make it really hard to say which is a better choice. But, quite frankly, I'm staying because I feel welcome here. And when I feel welcome I am stronger - stronger in my personal power, stronger in my convictions, stronger in my integrity. And I can think of no way to make good business decisions than when I am feeling strong. So there it is. I'm not moving.
If you're in San Francisco and were looking forward to me coming out there, I'm sorry to disappoint. Feel free to contact me about coming out to speak - I can still come for a visit, even if I'm not going to stay. For those in Boston - I'm staying, so don't forget to include me on the invitation to lunch list every now and again (I hate to eat alone).
Kelle Sparta is the author of The Consultative Real Estate Agent - Building Relationships that Create Loyal Clients, Get More Referrals, and Increase Your Sales, as well as being a speaker and trainer specializing in the real estate industry. Kelle is the founder of Sparta Success Systems, a real estate training company that provides tools, products, and training to empower agents and brokers to create lives and businesses they can love. For more information, visit her website at http://www.spartasuccess.com/. © 2007, Kelle Sparta.
Hi Kelle,
Split the difference....move to NC! We call them halfbacks....moved to Florida from New England/New York area, too hot for them, and moved halfway back (NC).
Dick Beals
Well Kelle,
I'm not in S.F. But I was looking forward to your move. Just that you would be closer. When you do come out to visit, plan an extra day and come up to the foothills. I would love to take you out for lunch and show you around.
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.