I know how you feel. I've even been the one moving away. That's a hard part of living, but especially of living in Athens. I've chosen on a number of occasions not to bother investing in certain friendship because they might leave. I realize how stupid this is. Really, I might be dead tomorrow, but I would still like people to hang out with me in the mean time. So, I'm trying not to let that get to me, but just last week I met someone I thought was kinda cool, but they graduate in a few months, so I decided not to go get coffee with them this week. I mean, what's the point? The point is that maybe God can do something with those short months, maybe I met that person for a reason, and maybe we would have been best friends for a lifetime even if in different time zones. Maybe, but now I'll never know. Or maybe it's not too late. Maybe I argue with myself too much.

as of this summer-july, i'll be left alone here in town. all the close friends i've had since i moved here 5 years ago have moved on. it does hurt. there's nothing keeping me here, but no one thing to draw me elsewhere, which makes it hard to see the daylight in the situation.
and the guy i was seeing just before christmas told me over a month ago that since he's moving after graduation this year, he didn't want to pursue anything either. other things more worthy of cultivating his time.
*sigh*

Stupid college towns. I wonder if this is a function of our generation. My parents live within a few miles of their parents. It seems like our generation is pretty transient. Or perhaps that's just an illusion of the fact that I've always lived in college towns (until now). And I'm still in that mentality of "I don't really live here, and I won't be here long." Which is pretty silly because I have no idea how long I'll decide to stay.

I feel for you, mdog. There have been times in Athens where it seems that my friends are moving away at a faster rate than I can make new ones. And since I don't let people in easily, I'm afraid of becoming completely isolated. Then I get depressed, which only worsens the situation. Sometimes it makes ME want to leave town in search of a more stable community in which to build my life...but that would mean starting over with nothing, which is rather unappealling.

kt: Is it our generation or just our age bracket [20's and 30's]? My parents moved all over the country (TN, TX, MD, OH) when they were young and first married, but then eventually settled in Akron, started having kids, and haven't moved since. I keep hoping that I won't be going through the same make-a-friend-get-close-have-that-friend-move-to-another-
continent cycle when I'm older.

KT: It is pretty much everyone aged < 28. Since travel is easier, cheaper, and self-organized (travelocity.com), it's painless and guiltless to live across the country from relatives. I've read stuff by several different people attributing it to various factors... travel, divorce culture, pampered individualism that says you just go where you feel like living -- forget granny!

boston, which is a huge college town, is super transient. I think many big cities are. it;s like you move t/here to make it big, meet other single people your age, and to have adventures. once the novelty has worn off, you get married, or just can't afford city life any longer, you move back out to rural/ the burbs and raise children....