Well, so my SO and I are finally up and moving on from the midwest to the south in November (for a slower and more simple lifestyle, we currently reside in Chicago)… and I’m so nervous I could barf! I have a big social network of friends here, and am fairly close to my parents. I admit, I have wanted to get out of this city for quite awhile now, and the time is creeping up sooner and sooner… is this normal? I meet people fairly easily, but amd petrified of my friends all being together and me drifting apart from them… any reassuring thoughts? 
It’s tough, it’s scary - and I’ve done it…four times since 1995 (there have actually been six moves in that time, but one was to an area that I’d previously lived in, and the other was only about a 40-50 mile move, so friendships were easily maintained). And I’ll likely be doing it again next spring.
You’re going to have to make the effort to keep in touch, especially at first. Friends will go on about their normal daily lives, and while they will miss you, it’s easy to let things slip when you’re in a routine. You, on the other hand, will also tend to be caught up in all the changes of moving.
But it can be done, especially with close friendships - those casual acquaintances/sort of friends…those are harder to keep up.
But you’ll be meeting new people too. I’m jealous - it’s fall, so it feels like time for me to move again, though I can’t this year. (I rearranged my furniture instead).
Where in the south are y’all moving to? I’m curious.
It’s possible, sure.
I moved two years ago from my friends and have kept in contact with the close ones. That’s the trouble with long-distance stuff, you have to prioritize. Which friends do you want to put the time into staying in touch with, which will you drift away from by choice?
If you’re worried about keeping in touch, use your computer, it’s so much better than the phone. Stay on as long as you want, talk to as many people as you want and no annoying 10-10… numbers to dial.
I’ve move several time. Each time I make new friends, and my closest friends stay close through the internet and occasional visits. All in all, I’m glad to have had the variety.
I’ve done it too, and man it wasn’t easy! Just prepare yourself and budget in money for long distance phone calls (honestly the comp is nice but it just doesn’t ‘do’ it for everyone) and try to make sure you can arrange a trip back now and then.
I will tell you tho, the experience of whole new worlds is extraordinary. I’ve learned so much and my entire outlook on the world has changed. Being exposed to a new culture, even within the 48 will have it’s rewards.
Just remember you can always go back. That one simple thought is the only thing that kept me sane during some of my roughest times. Everytime I did go back everythign was exactly the same. Funny how that works.
Good luck!