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So, here's my story. 32, single female, accountant. From Midwest, lived in Chicago for 10 years. Good job, good apartment, lots of friends. However, I have always loved California and had a desire to move there. First was interested in LA, did a work rotation there for 7 weeks in 2012, had chance to move at the end. Decided not to, I missed Chicago and how easy it was to get around there and the more down to earth people. Went to SF first time shortly after and loved it, reminded me of Chicago.And have gone a few times since.
Fast forward a few years, and I still haven't been able to shake the idea of moving there, so I went on a couple interviews. Now I have an offer to go there (increase in salary will wash out increase in rent), so that's not an issue. My issue is trying to figure out if this is a "grass is greener" situation. I like chicago, but I feel I have grown out the "party town" side of it, there's lots of young people, drinking, clubs etc. Although I am content , I feel like a new city would help re energize me. Its nicer weather, from what I have seen out there , dating is better (at least for me as I like the intellectual types and intellectual conversations and guys seem more aggressive there, maybe because there are less women?), and there's a lot of new things to experience, more nature, closer weekend getaways etc. Everyone says "you can move back if you don't like it". But can you? I mean, maybe, but its a pain to move, maybe if I didn't like it, I'd just stay there to avoid having to move again!
And yes, I know this has been posted numerous times in different formats because I have read ALL of them lol. Hoping to get more feedback/advice/thoughts applicable to my set of circumstances. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I have always loved California and had a desire to move there.
Then do it.
You said you already have a job offer in San Francisco. You said the cost of living doesn't matter to you. You said you feel you've "outgrown" the Chicago scene. You said that you've been living in Chicago for ten years now (that's a long time). Then do it, move to California. At the bare minimum it would be a whole new living and working experience and environment for you, one that you wouldn't get an equivalent to in Chicago.
Last edited by Trafalgar Law; 04-05-2016 at 08:27 AM..
As is for anyone, it's totally up to you what you're looking for in terms of CHI Vs. SF. Living costs are WAY more in SF (which would be a deal-breaker for me personally), but you said that wasn't an issue. So just weigh everything out in your own personal circumstances. Just be careful with the "grass-is-greener" thing and fantasies about places other than where you're living at a given time. Reality has a way of shattering our rose-colored glasses and unreasonable expectations. Moving "often" and having to feel perpetually stimulated will have you never really feeling satisfied anywhere you move, generally speaking. I've seen that so much in this day and time. Not saying that's your situation, just the "dad" coming out in me, lol. I have 4 kids (20-25) and have had these types of conversations many times. Anyway, good luck in your search.
Yea, not seeing any major reasons to not make the move. The only thing is maybe you'll miss being away from family. The down-to-earth people thing that you missed while you're in LA isn't exactly in greater abundance in SF either, but you'll probably find enough. One thing is if you feel that the job opportunity in SF also seems to have good room to grow. SF definitely has an edge to it that's driven by constantly trying advance your career or to make more.
So, here's my story. 32, single female, accountant. From Midwest, lived in Chicago for 10 years. Good job, good apartment, lots of friends. However, I have always loved California and had a desire to move there. First was interested in LA, did a work rotation there for 7 weeks in 2012, had chance to move at the end. Decided not to, I missed Chicago and how easy it was to get around there and the more down to earth people. Went to SF first time shortly after and loved it, reminded me of Chicago.And have gone a few times since.
Fast forward a few years, and I still haven't been able to shake the idea of moving there, so I went on a couple interviews. Now I have an offer to go there (increase in salary will wash out increase in rent), so that's not an issue. My issue is trying to figure out if this is a "grass is greener" situation. I like chicago, but I feel I have grown out the "party town" side of it, there's lots of young people, drinking, clubs etc. Although I am content , I feel like a new city would help re energize me. Its nicer weather, from what I have seen out there , dating is better (at least for me as I like the intellectual types and intellectual conversations and guys seem more aggressive there, maybe because there are less women?), and there's a lot of new things to experience, more nature, closer weekend getaways etc. Everyone says "you can move back if you don't like it". But can you? I mean, maybe, but its a pain to move, maybe if I didn't like it, I'd just stay there to avoid having to move again!
And yes, I know this has been posted numerous times in different formats because I have read ALL of them lol. Hoping to get more feedback/advice/thoughts applicable to my set of circumstances. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Honestly, you should try it out for a year and see how you like it. Life is insanely short to do the same thing over and over again and expect something different. To an extent, there is always a "grass is greener" mentality somewhere else and I understand the emotional attachment you have to a place after living there for a while.
However, just remember that Chicago isn't going anywhere should you decide to make the move. Many of your friends will still be there if you choose to come back.
You should honestly just follow your instinct here. If you think that the net benefit outweighs the net harm, make the move.
Also, if it is a grass is greener thing, moving back is fine. You don't like it? Feel goodnthat there's a home base that you did like. If you don't like SF, then it might help in making you like Chicago even more. Just make sure that your move to SF isn't a downgrade for your career.
So, here's my story. 32, single female, accountant. From Midwest, lived in Chicago for 10 years. Good job, good apartment, lots of friends. However, I have always loved California and had a desire to move there. First was interested in LA, did a work rotation there for 7 weeks in 2012, had chance to move at the end. Decided not to, I missed Chicago and how easy it was to get around there and the more down to earth people. Went to SF first time shortly after and loved it, reminded me of Chicago.And have gone a few times since.
Fast forward a few years, and I still haven't been able to shake the idea of moving there, so I went on a couple interviews. Now I have an offer to go there (increase in salary will wash out increase in rent), so that's not an issue. My issue is trying to figure out if this is a "grass is greener" situation. I like chicago, but I feel I have grown out the "party town" side of it, there's lots of young people, drinking, clubs etc. Although I am content , I feel like a new city would help re energize me. Its nicer weather, from what I have seen out there , dating is better (at least for me as I like the intellectual types and intellectual conversations and guys seem more aggressive there, maybe because there are less women?), and there's a lot of new things to experience, more nature, closer weekend getaways etc. Everyone says "you can move back if you don't like it". But can you? I mean, maybe, but its a pain to move, maybe if I didn't like it, I'd just stay there to avoid having to move again!
And yes, I know this has been posted numerous times in different formats because I have read ALL of them lol. Hoping to get more feedback/advice/thoughts applicable to my set of circumstances. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
There's certainly more to Chicago than just the "party town" side of it, but I'd say give San Francisco a shot. Yes, you can always move back, as Chicago will always be here, and yes, moving sucks, but it sounds like you already have the hardest part figured out. You have a job lined up in San Francisco, and it sounds like finding a job in Chicago wouldn't be too difficult for you if you wanted to come back.
Since it sounds like money isn't too big of an issue right now, you could always sell most of your furniture from Chicago and re-buy what you need once you have a place out in SF. That would probably be easier than lugging an entire apartment full of furniture 2/3 of the way across the country.
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