I did. I had to. I first moved 1 hr from my old KH. But, it was with my JW mother-in-law and non-jw father-in-law. There were a few clashes there as I firmly refused any JW talk, etc. I was recovering from a life-threatening injury from my oh so honorable JW husband. I could not divorce my husband while I lived there.
A year later I moved another hour away and became free and (after more recovery) 9 months later, filed for divorce. It is not as hard to do as it may seem. I moved from the city - Milwaukee - to a rural area and everyone here is so down to earth, warm and friendly. I have always loved nature but felt obligated to pursue JW interests-not my own. Here I am free to persue my love of nature and people who are real. Jobs pay less but the cost of everything is less too. It is perspective, really. The sincerity and reliability of these people is strengthening. The natives to this area have no idea how rare their ways are to a city person. They follow the path of my Grandfather knew, as he said "you must be true only to yourself - no one else." I love my new life. I am happy I was brave enough to make the move and that my JW family chose shunned me - not providing shelter or support for me because of fear for their own JW well-being. They forced my escape.My JW family's actions preached to my soon-to-be-ex-husbands family what the JWs are all about and now preach loud and clear to my boyfried and his family too. I have had non-JW family members visit where I live and they all say to me and to others they have never seen me happier, more peaceful or more comfortable in my own skin than now. They know I am where I belong. Yes, I struggle with the physical issues my mate left me with, but they see me as being so strong now. I personally hope my life goes a long way in preventing any more JW converts. I hate my soon-to-be-ex-husband and the JWs that enabled my years of abuse in the name of not shaming the JW org or taking away the authority of the husband in marriage, but being just brave enough to break free is very empowering. The last time he was arrested I became aware of so many orgs that help people like me and I took advantage of a few. I made many mistakes, like not prosecuting my husband fully. But I did seek therapy (offered free from the court system and paid through former employer) to heal. I have found a phychologist and a primary doctor that knows about JW and the cult it is and specialize in the abuse this org inflicts on its followers. These people empower me, teach me, and lead the way to my finally being free, some day.
I encourage all in this situation to move far away. It really speeds up the fading, if that is what you want. You can immediately be JW free!!! You are hard to track too, if you set up a PO box, not a home address. Or, do as I did (unknowingly) and move to an area without a JW KH!!. Just check your prospective areas online or apply for jobs outside your home area and before accepting, verify that the cost of living is in balance with your new income level. My Social Security pay is in line with my current cost of living needs. Homes where I live now are 1/4 of the price they would be where I lived before. That makes a huge difference. Property taxes too, are so small in comparison. Be brave in the move and then you avoid the long term fade process. In rural areas, everyone is a talker. Whether you are at a store or taking a walk. Regardless, reach out in the community however you can and you will find a welcoming world of much less judgemental people who don't care what you came from only where. Good luck to all that take that road.
