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Because of a comment a friend made to me the other day, I wanted to ask, where have you lived where you were the most happy? Maybe your job, apartment, social life wasn't ideal...but maybe sometimes you would wake up, go out, and think "wow I live here." Have you ever lived anywhere like that?
As a Seattle native for 30 years from birth I needed a new location for growth in my field. First attempt was not far away in Tricities Wa, just 170 miles to the east. Spent six productive years there until my industry became uneven and I moved to Alaska, Illinois, Idaho. When I retired in 2016 I chose to go back to TriCities. Two reasons: the area was still affordable, and it offered the best weather in my home state.
I second in my home. I live in Manhattan and love it. I especially love my morning coffee by the window with a view of the Empire State Building.
It sometimes feels like many people I meet in my travels are never satisfied with their current living situation. It's some version of "if only I lived there..." or envy of where someone they know lives.
Everyone has a unique life situation, but the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Great question. My favorite place may be between Seattle and DC, but I'm currently in SoCal and this is my happy place. Lots of friends, great weather, kids are never bored. Part of that is bein in California, part is being a part of neighborhood.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I have lived in San Bruno CA, as a young kid, and hated it. Then we lived in Lafayette, CA where I was pretty happy except in August/September when it was way too hot, often 105F. I was not very happy in the short time I lived in Union City, CA in college, or Oakland after getting married, but then we spent 15 years in Castro Valley CA in our first and second houses, where we were fairly happy, but it was still not ideal. When we moved here to Sammamish WA in 1993 we stayed, because finally we are in a place that really does keep us happy. Just enough snow to enjoy, not too hot, mountain, valley and water views, several lakes, old-growth forests, no big box stores, great schools and low crime. When I retire later this year we will move away, but only because it's too expensive now to downsize and stay. We'll go to a less expensive area within a couple of hours where we can pay cash with our equity, and probably won't be as happy as now.
I've been most happy -- though perhaps content is a better description -- in places were I'm not stressed about making ends meet, the commute is short/nonexistent, and I'm surrounded by a community of loving people that have time to spend with others. Things like beautiful views or a comfortable climate are nice to have, but for me of secondary importance.
The happiest I probably ever was, was the 15 months we first lived in our first single family home in Naperville, IL. We met some amazing neighbors and got together every Friday night with all the little kids running around. My kids waited by the window when the suburban bus dropped me off at the house from the train station.
When our favorite family told us they were moving away, the bubble burst, then we moved shortly after they did. But that little window was magic.
I'd also say our first 10 months before Covid hit here in our new city (Chicago) home was blissful. All the exploration, urban living. etc. It's still nice, but those first 10 months prior to Covid were the happiest.
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