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
Street life is cool for the first five days. After that you will hate cars, smoke, sounds, cops everywhere and people yelling and arguing over nothing. I have depression and every time I go out (I live in a city, major one) I want to disappear from earth.
Maybe I'm being over the top, but city life has a lot of downsides that I would gladly trade for some peace and quiet. Also being a potential homeowner means a lot, how about you achieve that first and then move? Perhaps securing a home of your own is ideal, considering how bad things are.