[Blindtlk] Best places to live

Thu Oct 31 15:13:11 UTC 2013

I agree, but with a but. Money is not the only way to pay someone. I try to get my students to think of things that they do well which they can share with others. In college, I learned to make a couple of good meals. When I needed transportation, or more frequently, a reader, I would invite that person over for dinner to thank them. I have colleagues here who are happy to drive, and will not accept payment. So I try to find something I can do for them. Now that I can afford it, a gas card magically appears in their box. If they need something written, and I do that fairly well, I'm happy to ghost writer. (yes, even on Halloween.) Barter is alive and well.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin williams
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 9:54 AM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Best places to live

If you don't have the money to cab it, and your public transit is not ver good, and some things are to far, then you can't do but so much traveling.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 10:27 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Best places to live

I think the not getting out or traveling on your own happens in larger cities too.  If a person has had the opportunity to learn good travel skills, those skills can be applied in whatever situation a person finds themselves in.  certainly some individuals find travel in an urban setting easier, but I hold that is a factor of personal preference more so than blindness specifically.

Here in my small town there are things that are a fair bit away.  The middle school is about a 30 minute brisk walk for me.  I present a program to the after school kids once a week or so up there.  It doesn't bother me to walk that distance carrying my materials.  It's probably close to 2 miles one way.  I find the walk peaceful and pleasant.

Contrast that to when I travel to a large city for meetings or whatever. 
There is a lot of traffic, it's noisy, it feels like everything is piled up on top of everything else, the people all seem in a hurry, leaving me feeling like I'm constantly running behind and disconnected.  For me, it's not a blindness thing.  I can move around in larger cities just fine.  I just don't really like it.

Julie

-----Original Message-----
From: Sherri
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 8:51 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Best places to live

I think as long as you have a way to get where you need to go, whether it be the ability to walk places or good public transportation, personsl preference should count the most. The thing that concerns me are blind people who move to rural communities (not necessarily small towns where things are within walking distance) and then they can't get anywhere without the help of a parent or friend. Lots of small towns in Florida are not easy to navigate by walking, because of lack of sidewalks and things being widely spaced from one another.

Sherri
----- Original Message -----
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Best places to live

I think this topic is quite interesting.  The thing that fascinates me the most is this concept that there is a best place to live and that somehow
blindness figures into that equation.   I think individual preferences are a
much greater predictor of happiness with your living arrangements than some survey with scoring based on things that may or may not matter to you.

I live in a very small town, less than 8,000 people.  I am probably the happiest I have been in my whole life.  I grew up in a large city of perhaps
400,000 people and have lived in a tiny town of about 500 people.   There
have been good points and bad to each.

What I'd suggest to anyone thinking of relocating for whatever reason is to list what is really important to you, not what blind people are supposed to find important.  Then look at the possibilities that meet your must have's and would like to have lists.

I like the ability to walk most everywhere I want to go.  I like fresh air, a slow pace, small family owned shops, very low crime and space, lots and lots of space.  Things like buses and advanced medical facilities are not all that important to me.  If they were, this town would be a misery.

I guess I'm just saying to put more emphasis on what is most important to you as a person and less on what someone else has decided should be important to you because you're blind.

Julie

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