I quit using a furnace when I moved down south
I spent the first 25 years of my life living in both the same state in the same county.
- I grew up in a rural suburb of a larger city.
When I finally got to college age at 18, I simply applied to a school in the city. For the next seven years I was living only 45 minutes away from my parents’ house where I was raised. I went home as often as I could, and in many respects had less of a transition into college life than others. Many go across the country or across the world, leaving their families and support networks behind. I never had to worry about that aspect about growing up since my family was always a stone’s throw down the road. When I lost my job last year, I figured I’d find something to replace it in the same city without any issues. When I had to accept a job offer 1,000 miles away or go unemployed, I felt defeated. This would be the first time I ever lived away from my old region, but part of me was excited to be moving to warmer weather down south. I never realized I’d be able to get through the winter seasons here without ever turning a central furnace on to heat the house. The coldest it gets here in the dead middle of winter is 40 degrees. It rarely drops below 45 degrees, making it much more comfortable than where I was raised. Back in my hometown we had to chop wood every year as a supplement to the central furnace. It would get so cold that we had no choice but to burn wood or we would have frozen to death during some of the most intense winter blizzards that I have ever experienced. I’m hoping that I like my new home, but thus far I’m sold.