Where I live now, things are okay. I have friends I see regularly, a stable job, and the prospect of owning a home in the next few years. At the same time, it is absolutely sprawling and street life is absolutely non-existent. Cultural life is oriented around bars and events and it is hard for things to happen spontaneously.
Meanwhile, I grew up in a different city which had a much more vibrant street life, and it was borderline possible to live without a car. I am at a real crossroads here now deciding if I should cut it and move home, or keep going with the life I am building here.
In general I struggle with depression, and I am worried I am fixating on changes in my extrinsic conditions as a deflection from my inner work/inner struggles.
Would like to here other's perspectives, and particularly the experience of people who have made a big move recently.
Staying Pros
- No major life disruption
- Continue with stable job
- Cost of Living lower
- Most friends live here
Staying Cons
- No street life
- Must drive to do anything---feel shut-in
Leaving Pros
- No car!
- Closer to family
- Street Life
- Bigger Gay scene
- Start Over lite
Leaving Cons
- Job hunt
- Major life disruption
- Might just be 'grass is greener'
- Leave friends
- Higher Cost of Living
- Continue my very patchy work history
You are going to feel a million times more shut-in if you're in the city with few/no friends than where you are now.