Challenges of moving to a new city includes finding new friends, church, doctors

Thank you for the article “Going into 2018: what choices will you make?” by Silva Emerian. Her courage and energy reminded me of myself at her age.

Just one year ago this month, my husband and I left our home in Arizona and moved to a retirement community in Clovis. It was so much more difficult than we thought it would be, as we had up until now been able to get things done the way Ms. Emerian does .

The move itself took physical and emotional energy that we didn’t realize we lacked.

We had to locate new doctors, dentists and a new bank. Even finding a new grocery store and mechanic seemed a challenge. We had to get new medical insurance, car and home insurance and new drivers license and license for the car. Even learning the streets has been challenging.

When all of that finally got settled, we went church shopping and tried to make new friends. Friends come from shared experiences so we looked for people who like the same things we like.

At age 87, all of this takes so much more energy than I ever dreamed.

I was interested to read that even at her young age, Ms. Emerian had challenges she had to overcome in creating a new life. I thought it was just because I am old.

If you are thinking of starting over, let me suggest that you just bloom where you are planted.

This story was originally published January 16, 2018 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Challenges of moving to a new city includes finding new friends, church, doctors."