In northwestern Pennsylvania, some young people leave the area in search of success, and a good number end up returning. Sometimes it takes decades.
That’s the case with Wendy Ertl Rhines. In the early 1990s, she moved from Erie, PA, to Greensboro, NC, for her husband’s career. “I was excited about building a new house and home. I looked forward to the warmer weather. But I was homesick before I even left and was sad to leave my family and friends behind.”
Wendy finished up her degree at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She enjoyed a successful marketing career, and along with her husband, Kevin, and kids Holly and Kyle, thrived in the much-sunnier climate.
By 2011, with both children grown and out of the house, Wendy and Kevin joined a group of Erie friends on a trip to Riviera Maya. “We were reminded that sustaining 40-year friendships is not only a rarity, but something to be treasured,” Wendy said.
When they got home, they agreed to re-evaluate their priorities, and in doing so, realized that working long hours and chasing the materialistic American dream were no longer priorities for them.
“Being with the family we had left, and with our very good friends, held much more value for us. With our kids’ blessings, we moved back to the city of their birth. I gave up my position as senior marketing manager at GMAC Insurance and accepted a position as branch manager at E.D. Farrell Co., an Erie family-owned business, to make it happen,” said Wendy. “With my husband’s job being virtual, there was nothing to hold us back.”
Now director of marketing at Maleno Development, an Erie-based custom builder, property-management, and real-estate company, Wendy enjoys promoting Erie whenever she can.
“People from Erie take our natural beauty and resources, like Presque Isle State Park, for granted,” says the Erie Ambassador. “They think they have to go to a big city for culture, but our own philharmonic orchestra, playhouse, and art museum offer comparable, high-quality arts and entertainment. Most importantly, we still have family-owned, non-chain, authentic pizza shops, ice-cream stands, and bakeries!”
To those considering leaving Erie and those contemplating a return, Wendy says, “I encourage people to leave for the right reasons—new experiences, new perspectives, and to gain a new appreciation for what they have right here. For those considering a return, stop considering—do it!”
From Northwestern Pennsylvania:
There’s No Place Like Home