If we go there will be trouble. But if we stay, it will be double?
Our life has suddenly turned into a Clash song. And really, this indecision is bugging me. Maybe you can help?
Kristy unexpectedly got a job offer here. The job itself is not as much a factor as is the viable opportunity it opens for us to stay in this incredible place for the long-term. Why wouldn’t we take it?
Well, there are lots of reasons actually, both for and against staying.
The Case for Going Back Home
We miss our family and friends back home, most obviously. That emotional aspect cannot be overstated. There’s also the not so insignificant matter of my professional path, which isn’t exactly blazing ahead out here.
Buying property, starting a family of our own, building the general financial groundwork for a secure future – these pragmatic goals are all certainly possible out here, just more difficult to reach than back home. This goes beyond any language barrier, which can be lessened with time. To a very real extent, we’ll always be outsiders in this country where being “in” is really the only way to get a fair shake (isn’t that true everywhere?).
Plus, we still call the US (and New York) “home.” That obviously means something.
Why We Should Stay
Honestly, is America still the land of better opportunity? The economy being what it is (we can hear that loud sucking noise, all the way from across the distance!), prosperity is not necessarily guaranteed back home.
We don’t exactly have all the dots lined up on where we’d live, finding jobs… nothing is really very certain after we get off the plane, actually. In many ways, we left our old lives nearly two years ago, and we’d be starting over from scratch anywhere we go.
Instead, we could keep building on the life and friendships (surrogate family, really) we’ve started out here. We could live on this beautiful Greek island – live a simple life, where people know the difference between working to live and living to work. No consumption-driven, rushed, workaday commuter life for us here. Yet most assuredly, life would stay very interesting.
Vote Our Future
We’ve exhausted more than a few pros and cons lists to no avail. Practical reasoning is at war with emotions and ideals, and the result is a stalemate. We are quite literally stuck between two places.
In short: we need some help. Third-party input. Yours! So come on and let me know…
Should we stay, or should we go?
- Stay on Crete, don't worry, be happy! (87%, 13 Votes)
- Go back to America, there's no place like home! (13%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 15
Loading ...Disclaimer: We retain the right to make a final decision regardless of any popular results. Feel free to make your arguments in the comments below. All views are appreciated. Seriously, though, TheKristyDave is not a democracy. Well, we are but we’re strictly a two-party system. 
Guys, the worst thing is the indecision………………. You will make a living in both places, so decide fast and goo for it without any regret!
Thanks, Florin. We miss you my friend… our night-to-morning conversations over raki and fine nargile have painted a picture of this place – and the dear friends we’ve made here – that weighs heavy in our decision. Whichever way we go, we’ll be enjoying good times with you again someday I’m sure of it!
Hey guys!
)) and just see, how it goes. In the meantime, you can look and apply for jobs in the US. Everything is online. Let us all know, what you like to do here and we can keep our ears, eyes, etc open.
just to back up my vote. I’d say stay.
If Kristy’s job offer is appealing, I’d take it (make sure she gets at least 30 days paid vacation
Now I have no idea how much time you have to decide … but good luck
You will make the right decision, regardless.
Oh my god! I wrote a comment but I forgot to put my email, sooooooo here I am writing it again!
Ok, so the people that you met in Crete will vote that you stay in Greece, and the people that live in the USA will vote that you go back…
So, I think you should decide… The thing I tell you, it’s that maybe this is the best opportunity you have to live in Europe, I mean, you don’t need to stay in Crete, although it’s so lovely, you could go to many other beatiful countries in Europe, like Spain!!!!!
One big hug!
Cristina
@Cristina – thanks for stopping by, and making that sales pitch for Spain
Yes, I think you are correct in that people’s answers are going to be biased based on where they are – the votes are mostly breaking down that way, though not entirely (I can see who voted for what – no secret ballots here 
So you can imagine our decision is that much more difficult b/c we have all of you dear friends and family in BOTH places.
@Nicole – good to hear from you, thanks for the vote! Actually, we need to decide now! Very high pressure, so *not* the Greek way.
I agree we can keep options open back in the US, but if we decide to stay here it is really to attempt (only makes sense) to make this work for the long-term.
Thanks again for everyone’s thoughts – it really means a lot to have all of your kind words and support. Voting is open for a couple more hours
We are (supposed to be) making a decision today!
Just be happy! ( and I say this with tears in my eyes)
You will find a way to come home when you need to…
Love,
Mom
My dear Kristy and David. l agree with Florin that wherever you will decide to stay you’re gonna have an excellent life. You are nice people and l believe you will succeed in whatever you do!
Of course l’d prefer you to stay here and keep drinking rakes with me, organize some more trips and buru buru… but is your life. Spent it as and where you love!!!!!
eee ok….no comment ..you know my prespectiive of life…and i like clash also…so keep on listening! giaaaaa
…a bird at hand…
@Mom (Ginny!) – aw come on, you are getting us all misty eyed over here
@Koumbaros x 2 – you realize of course that you both have “super delegate” status on this decision, right?
@Andy – hmmm… thing is we are not quite sure if we have that one bird in hand. Though we are pretty sure we do have two in the bushes. Only one bush is here, and the other bush is back there. Or maybe… it’s six in one, half a dozen in the other
THANKS again for all your input… we actually made our decision. Then we decided again. And again. Lots of coins here for us to flip…
United states of America is the United States of America, Chania is Chania.
Go to the united States of America
Voting has officially closed. There are no hanging chads here
– all the results are clearly recorded above. And we made our decision, TBA soon. Comments are still open… anybody care to place bets?
Maheraki – I will only agree to go to the U.S. if you agree to come there too….
I’m with Nicole Bello-Kotzsch, put off the decision and enjoy for a while longer. Great adventures and there is still time to grow up and be a stiff. We’ll miss ya’s
Love, Hughie
Hey. what the f…. Stay re. kala, stay… and let your beard grow Dave!. Happy decision whatsoever, filakia kai regards to the monkey!
Uncle Hughie, Jose – we’ll take your comments as absentee votes for stay, then
Thanks for the encouragement and (Jose) grooming advice. Our hunch is that we’ll have an announcement to make sometime next week… waiting on some Greeks… and waiting… and waiting… siga siga
Bro & Sis! First off, sorry I missed the vote… I’ve been avoiding the cpu when home cause it causes me to waste time. So, now I’m at work, past my alloted time for lunch, viewing TKD blog on my phone! Access to this tech, it’s one of the few things great about this country.
My vote would have been stay. I miss you both, but I’ll find a way to get there for a visit if you stay. Plus, things are so f’ed up over here right now I think you are probably better off staying put for the near future and see what the clowns running this country do to improve it over the next few years. But you know I am becoming more of an anarchist every day… I’m not there yet, but considering it !
Anyway, do whatever your hearts tell you to and the rest will fall in place…. Maybe Kristy’s job offer is a sign?
[...] that has any clue about (modern) culture. Anyway, Dave has been keeping you all entertained with deciding our future and whatnot, so I assume no one will miss the Istanbul story. Dave and [...]
hey John! Thanks for your vote of support, bro
– you know I wish we could’ve discussed in person over a bottle of JD, but we know we’ve got our family and friends behind us on this one, regardless of what we decide. Speaking of decisions, we probably need to formally announce our decision, huh?
Oh and yes, you and Sue will find a way to come out here!!! Ela, re! Ochi tora, TORA!
hey, i’ve discovered your blog!
well, even now that you have decided to stay on, you know you can always go back when you want!