Have you ever considered moving for the sake of dancing? I have many friends who have left my area to move onto greener dance pastures. I feel like I've had a lot of friends leave my area in recent years, factoring in that dancing would be better somewhere else. It makes me kinda sad, actually, but at this point so many people have moved, that I may feel like moving, too. I haven't danced much lately, cuz I feel like the crowd has turned over 100%. It's hard going to an old regular spot, and feeling like nobody knows you. I'm just wondering if it is weird to feel like dancing is more important than the comfortable apartment or house that one might be used to, or if it's better to take a crappy job that's closer to good dancing.
Exactly, as with all things you would have to evaluate your priorities. 1) From your post it seems as if you miss the dancers that used to be in your scene and the companionship that went with that and not dancing in general. Is this true? 2) If your scene is still active is it worth it to strike up friendships with the new dancers? 3) Did all of your past dancing friends move to one city, cause likely you would have to put the same effort into meeting others as you would in your own city? 4) What are your dance goals? What kind of scene would satisfy your dance priorities? Is it a scene with a certain size, teachers, or one with people you know? 5) Are there opportunities for jobs in your area of expertise in cities with thriving dance scenes? Can you get a similar job? 6) Do you have other social networks that you will miss if you move (non dancing friends)? 7) Do you have family in the area?
If after considering all of these reasons and any others you can think of you are still unhappy and leaning towards moving, then I say why not treat yourself to a fresh start in a new city. I live in DC and it would take the perfect job to get me to move out of this wonderful dance scene.
I was considering a move to Toulouse (France), a few years back, simply because of the divine dance (SO good!!!), but didn't because something else came along- long story.
If I had nothing holding me down, no job, no boyfriend, and lived in a crap place (wait! I live in a crap place now!), I'd move somewhere for the dancing, at least short term. Oh yeah, considered that as well for Seattle. But then I ran off to Ireland, instead.
If you are a free spirit, nothing is holding you down, you'd like an adventure, and you have job prospects in some city with good dancing, I say do it. Otherwise... eh.
I'm giving serious consideration to moving the NYC....and yes, for the dancing! What other priority could possibly trump that? Seriously, though, it is nice to see that I'm not the only one. Although, it's not as if NYC is all that far from me now - I currently live in the Albany area (about a 3 and a 1/2 hr. drive from NYC).
I consider it all the time. Our scene is small, but some of the most wonderful people you can imagine. The only thing that's holding me here is the music, culture, and people. It would be hard pressed to find another place with music as grand as the music and dancing here. Other than that, I have nothing else holding me back.
I'm pretty fond of my little dance scene here, I have some really fabulous friends that I'd really miss if I left to a larger (or even more dreamy!) scene. I reckon having fantabulous social ties within a scene, and its whole vibe, is far more important than either size or 'quality'.
But... if it ever did come about that I was to move cities, I don't think I could possibly move to one that DIDN'T have a swing scene, so it would definitely be a factor!
I moved to Chicago two years ago from Boston. When my and my husband were deciding where to move (we had not particular reason, we just were done with Boston), we looked at a couple things:
1. job market
2. dance scene
3. public transportation (we don't own cars nor do we want one)
4. proximity to family
Not always in that order, but we knew we couldn't move somewhere without a dance scene. It's too big a part of our lives, and we are too lazy to start our own--not that we had to, just sayin' that we didn't want to have to start one.
Yes - I'd consider moving for dance reasons. I used to live in London, where there is loads of dance, now I live in Belgium where there is hardly any. But I am pretty much stuck here because of the job situation.
There is a small possibility I might be able to move to New York. But I visited and there didn't seem to be quite as much dance as I'd expected, esp. balboa - maybe it takes time to find your feet?
I could never move somewhere for the dance scene alone.
I'm moving to London in September, and I actually didn't factor the dance scene into my decision. But now that the decision is made and I'm thinking it... I am SUPER excited to be moving somewhere with not only a vibrant lindy hop scene, but with plenty of WCS and other forms of dance, as well. Having lots of dance (not necessarily swing) in my life makes me happy, and that's really important.
Quoted from "Oli" Have you ever considered moving for the sake of dancing?
No.
Quote I'm just wondering if it is weird to feel like dancing is more important than the comfortable apartment or house that one might be used to, or if it's better to take a crappy job that's closer to good dancing.
It's not weird to feel that way when you're missing the dancing you're used to. Dance is important.
But it sounds like a mistake to think that moving some place else where you don't know the dancers, and they've all learned from different teachers/had different influences, and may very likely prefer different music than what you're used to, will help you adjust to losing a lot of the people you're comfortable dancing with. And it's pretty hard to imagine that the scene in a new place would be enough of an improvement to outweigh the advantages of having a good job and a home you're comfortable in (unless there just isn't a scene at all where you live anymore.)
After I attended SFLX 2005, I considered moving to San Francisco for the dancing. Just a fantasy, though, that sounded good at the time.
Then I considered Seattle. But I did neither.
If dancing were one of my top priorities in life, and my life was in a place where I could easily up and move, then I might do it, as long as the place offered other benefits as well.
As it is, I delayed my career after college for about 2 years because I started dancing and didn't really want to do anything else. :-) Or, more accurately, I wasn't sure what else I wanted to do.
So now I'm paying my dues... not in a bad way of course... but focusing on dance would result in my career and other plans in my life going out of focus.
I just read about Bryn moving to London and not knowing what to expect from the dance scene. From the times I visited London, they were more or less doing a Savoy style of Lindy. Maybe things have changed since 2003 and 2004, but I did not see Londoner's dancing much like the young people in the US are dancing these days. I could have missed some of the better London dancers because I visited the first time in July when people were at Herrang. When I returned for LLX it was hard to judge the London dancers for the dancers from France, Japan, Russia and other places. I think London is a good place to dance because I seemed to fit right in. Londoners are a bit reserved, but they are also very nice when you are at a social gathering.
Before you decide to move be aware that scenes can come back. A lot of my favorite follows left here a few years ago. If the ones we have now keep on dancing they will be as good as the ones we lost two years ago. Sometimes you just have to be patient.
Pick up and move for dancing?
Oli
Have you ever considered moving for the sake of dancing? I have many friends who have left my area to move onto greener dance pastures. I feel like I've had a lot of friends leave my area in recent years, factoring in that dancing would be better somewhere else. It makes me kinda sad, actually, but at this point so many people have moved, that I may feel like moving, too. I haven't danced much lately, cuz I feel like the crowd has turned over 100%. It's hard going to an old regular spot, and feeling like nobody knows you. I'm just wondering if it is weird to feel like dancing is more important than the comfortable apartment or house that one might be used to, or if it's better to take a crappy job that's closer to good dancing.
RubyMae
No, I've never considered moving for dancing.
Phlurg
It's not usually the only reason, but I've known lots of people for whom it's a strong secondary consideration when moving.
Lamar
Exactly, as with all things you would have to evaluate your priorities. 1) From your post it seems as if you miss the dancers that used to be in your scene and the companionship that went with that and not dancing in general. Is this true? 2) If your scene is still active is it worth it to strike up friendships with the new dancers? 3) Did all of your past dancing friends move to one city, cause likely you would have to put the same effort into meeting others as you would in your own city? 4) What are your dance goals? What kind of scene would satisfy your dance priorities? Is it a scene with a certain size, teachers, or one with people you know? 5) Are there opportunities for jobs in your area of expertise in cities with thriving dance scenes? Can you get a similar job? 6) Do you have other social networks that you will miss if you move (non dancing friends)? 7) Do you have family in the area?
If after considering all of these reasons and any others you can think of you are still unhappy and leaning towards moving, then I say why not treat yourself to a fresh start in a new city. I live in DC and it would take the perfect job to get me to move out of this wonderful dance scene.
fiddletree
I was considering a move to Toulouse (France), a few years back, simply because of the divine dance (SO good!!!), but didn't because something else came along- long story.
If I had nothing holding me down, no job, no boyfriend, and lived in a crap place (wait! I live in a crap place now!), I'd move somewhere for the dancing, at least short term. Oh yeah, considered that as well for Seattle. But then I ran off to Ireland, instead.
If you are a free spirit, nothing is holding you down, you'd like an adventure, and you have job prospects in some city with good dancing, I say do it. Otherwise... eh.
goofball
It's not the only factor, but it is a huge factor. I may be moving in the next year, or two, or three. The factors I think about most about are:
1) job market
2) dance scene
3) proximity to friends family
Not always in that order...
Josie-Lou
I'm giving serious consideration to moving the NYC....and yes, for the dancing! What other priority could possibly trump that? Seriously, though, it is nice to see that I'm not the only one. Although, it's not as if NYC is all that far from me now - I currently live in the Albany area (about a 3 and a 1/2 hr. drive from NYC).
SHORTYJOY
josie-Lou- come to the overly bright side!
jlindyhopr
I consider it all the time. Our scene is small, but some of the most wonderful people you can imagine. The only thing that's holding me here is the music, culture, and people. It would be hard pressed to find another place with music as grand as the music and dancing here. Other than that, I have nothing else holding me back.
Oodleboo
I'm pretty fond of my little dance scene here, I have some really fabulous friends that I'd really miss if I left to a larger (or even more dreamy!) scene. I reckon having fantabulous social ties within a scene, and its whole vibe, is far more important than either size or 'quality'.
But... if it ever did come about that I was to move cities, I don't think I could possibly move to one that DIDN'T have a swing scene, so it would definitely be a factor!
What's a life without dancing, eh?
saracynthia
I moved to Chicago two years ago from Boston. When my and my husband were deciding where to move (we had not particular reason, we just were done with Boston), we looked at a couple things:
1. job market
2. dance scene
3. public transportation (we don't own cars nor do we want one)
4. proximity to family
Not always in that order, but we knew we couldn't move somewhere without a dance scene. It's too big a part of our lives, and we are too lazy to start our own--not that we had to, just sayin' that we didn't want to have to start one.
footloose doll
Yes - I'd consider moving for dance reasons. I used to live in London, where there is loads of dance, now I live in Belgium where there is hardly any. But I am pretty much stuck here because of the job situation.
There is a small possibility I might be able to move to New York. But I visited and there didn't seem to be quite as much dance as I'd expected, esp. balboa - maybe it takes time to find your feet?
Chuck Knuckles
A ton of people seem to move to DC because the dancing scene is very active.
brynbryn
I'm about to from college and I'm basically only looking for jobs in places where i can dance...I suppose that might count as moving for dance scenes.
bryn
I could never move somewhere for the dance scene alone.
I'm moving to London in September, and I actually didn't factor the dance scene into my decision. But now that the decision is made and I'm thinking it... I am SUPER excited to be moving somewhere with not only a vibrant lindy hop scene, but with plenty of WCS and other forms of dance, as well. Having lots of dance (not necessarily swing) in my life makes me happy, and that's really important.
mity
(thats a whole lot of bryns)
bryn
I know. Too many for my tastes.
Keither
Somebody doesn't like competition. ;)
r_c_s
No.
It's not weird to feel that way when you're missing the dancing you're used to. Dance is important.
But it sounds like a mistake to think that moving some place else where you don't know the dancers, and they've all learned from different teachers/had different influences, and may very likely prefer different music than what you're used to, will help you adjust to losing a lot of the people you're comfortable dancing with. And it's pretty hard to imagine that the scene in a new place would be enough of an improvement to outweigh the advantages of having a good job and a home you're comfortable in (unless there just isn't a scene at all where you live anymore.)
-- Rachel
HopLindy
A lot of dancers move to LA for the dance scene ... and then ... stop dancing! Go figure.
http://www.LindyAndParty.com
http://www.SwingDanceStuff.com
SliceyJ
After I attended SFLX 2005, I considered moving to San Francisco for the dancing. Just a fantasy, though, that sounded good at the time.
Then I considered Seattle. But I did neither.
If dancing were one of my top priorities in life, and my life was in a place where I could easily up and move, then I might do it, as long as the place offered other benefits as well.
As it is, I delayed my career after college for about 2 years because I started dancing and didn't really want to do anything else. :-) Or, more accurately, I wasn't sure what else I wanted to do.
So now I'm paying my dues... not in a bad way of course... but focusing on dance would result in my career and other plans in my life going out of focus.
Chuck Knuckles
I just read about Bryn moving to London and not knowing what to expect from the dance scene. From the times I visited London, they were more or less doing a Savoy style of Lindy. Maybe things have changed since 2003 and 2004, but I did not see Londoner's dancing much like the young people in the US are dancing these days. I could have missed some of the better London dancers because I visited the first time in July when people were at Herrang. When I returned for LLX it was hard to judge the London dancers for the dancers from France, Japan, Russia and other places. I think London is a good place to dance because I seemed to fit right in. Londoners are a bit reserved, but they are also very nice when you are at a social gathering.
slipandslide
Before you decide to move be aware that scenes can come back. A lot of my favorite follows left here a few years ago. If the ones we have now keep on dancing they will be as good as the ones we lost two years ago. Sometimes you just have to be patient.
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