I am trying to find a way to move here

[Kurt]

Don't ever let go of the dream.

There's a lot of experienced, established graphic design and marketing folks here. Yet, we're still a small town. The clients you'll need will likely be in other places. Getting them means you'll need contacts and experience and the best way to do that is work for awhile in a large city, focusing as much on building relationships as you do on your graphics skills. The people who can do this surely have skills, but also sufficient talent.

I've always said I would dig ditches to live here (or bus tables) if I could afford it. Years ago affording it wasn't a problem. But the truth is, a person can live cheaply anywhere if their main payment are the things they love about the place. You can live cheaply even here but most people don't want to live cheaply.

I know for some like me (and I see quite a few here in SoWal), where we live is just as important, or more, as what we do for a living or what financial gains we achieve. Go ahead and put your cart before the horse. It's what you're supposed to be doing at your age.

 

[happy2Bme]

If you don't dream, you go nowhere. If you don't plan (the longer the better), you go nowhere. If you listen to those who poo poo your enthusiasm to do the aforementioned, you go nowhere.

There is some good things to think about in posts above...they are the ones that sound like good things to think about, not the wet blanket, "get your head out of the clouds" posts). Dream big, think hard, plan well, work hard, be patient, and work hard some more....and, in time, you will live your dream.

Good to see a young person more interested in how to succeed than in how big of an ear dowel to wear.

 

[Desso]

Matt, you sound like a reasonable, responsible, and articulate young man. Determination is the most valuable currency you have at this point, so spend it where it counts. Your education and work experience should be your main concentration. Start working on your business plan Today. Don't let anyone tell you what steps are required to be successful in life or business, for it is different for all of us. When you do end up back here, Good Luck with your business and enjoy.

 

[Allifunn]

I would wager to say that the majority of people who live here do so beacuse it was their dream. Most are not here because their job brought them here! (except realtors...and they are dissappearing)
I visited here 4 years ago and knew in my bones that I wanted to live here. It sounds like it is in your bones too. Perhaps your parents moved to Arizona because it is not in their's. I even lived here one summer to see how I would like it...no question! It took a lot of planning and 3 1/2 years to get here, but when it came right down to it...it was blind faith and love of the area that got me here. Planning for the future should always be a balance of goals and dreams. Concentrate on your education with your eyes to the future. If you are meant to live here you will...always have faith in that! Your path might take you in a different direction, be open to that as well.
Not many young people have goals and aspirations, I admire your planning, questioning and determination!
Keep us informed!

 

[MattLorton]

I would wager to say that the majority of people who live here do so beacuse it was their dream. Most are not here because their job brought them here! (except realtors...and they are dissappearing)
I visited here 4 years ago and knew in my bones that I wanted to live here. It sounds like it is in your bones too. Perhaps your parents moved to Arizona because it is not in their's. I even lived here one summer to see how I would like it...no question! It took a lot of planning and 3 1/2 years to get here, but when it came right down to it...it was blind faith and love of the area that got me here. Planning for the future should always be a balance of goals and dreams. Concentrate on your education with your eyes to the future. If you are meant to live here you will...always have faith in that! Your path might take you in a different direction, be open to that as well.
Not many young people have goals and aspirations, I admire your planning, questioning and determination!
Keep us informed!

Thanks

I may actually be able to live near here starting in spring 2010. I found a college in the area that would be a great fit for me (and I need to live in the area for at least a year to be considered a resident), so I will be ready to attend UFC, and I won't be charged out of state tuition.

I also have a few friends who really want to live here, so we all may go in together to rent a place here after we all finish college.