I guess you never really know the direction of your life.
When I started this blog, I had recently returned to West Hartford after having been away for a long, long time. After reading WH Dad’s blog, and seeing it suddenly disappear, I decided to try to continue the conversation he started.
But I’ve become increasingly unsettled with this project, in part because I’ve realized I have the wrong format for what I’m trying to accomplish. My goal is to form a town green – not a place where I post and others respond, but a place where all post and all respond. A blog format doesn’t efficiently do what I want it to do.
And this, really, was just a gnawing at the back of my brain.
At the front of my brain, my wife and I had begun sticking our toes in the housing market. The result was that we found the house of our dreams and the interest rate of our dreams (and I think the right long term investment) in another greater Hartford community (Bolton).
I want to make it clear – I’m not leaving West Hartford because of taxes (I’ll be paying the same amount where I’m going), and I’m not leaving West Hartford because of the schools (test scores where I’m going are essentially the same). I’m not leaving to protest town government or because I’ve been otherwise forced out financially. I’m leaving because of opportunity.
I have to be honest. When we first decided we were going to move, my thoughts scattered re: this blog. Even though I haven’t been able to shape it as I’d hoped, I’ve enjoyed writing it. And in the back of my mind, there was a voice that said “You know, you could do this from afar.” But at the same time, I knew this would be disingenuous (at best), especially when West Hartford is served by so many other blogs. And when I combined that thought with the gnawing at the back of my brain, I knew it was best to let it go.
In about a month, I hope to launch a new site that allows me to pursue more regional interests while fostering both local and regional conversation. I’ll still be writing about West Hartford (among other things, and if from the outside), and I’ll link you to the site once it’s up. In the meantime, this site will remain, and you’re of course welcome to continue ongoing conversations.
Thanks to all of you who have made this site a vibrant and welcoming place. I’ll miss the site, and I’ll miss West Hartford (though, to be honest, I think my wife and I will still be in and out once or twice a week). As I rationalize, I’m considering this the rough draft. I hope you’ll follow the next revision.
All best, and thanks.