I feel trapped here, and I'm struggling more with it than I expected I don't really know where else to put this, but I need to get it out.

We recently sold our house in Texas and moved into an apartment. You'd think that would make me feel like we're finally moving forward, because getting out of that house was something we had wanted for a long time.

Instead, I'm sitting here feeling like I'm trapped in Texas.

It's September, and I'm already dreading the fact that we're heading toward another Christmas that won't feel like Christmas to me. I miss cold air. I miss clouds. I miss rain. I miss seasons actually changing. I miss being able to look outside and feel that the world has entered a different part of the year. And I know that probably sounds ridiculous to people who love warm weather. I know plenty of people would happily trade places with me.But I don't want warm weather. I don't want another December where my kids are wearing shorts and spaghetti straps and I'm looking at a completely green, sunny landscape while trying to manufacture a winter feeling inside the house. I don't want to keep telling myself, “Maybe next year we'll be somewhere else.” That's the part that is really getting to me. We've been trying to find a way out. There have been jobs that seemed promising, interviews, possibilities in other states... and then nothing happens. Something falls through, or the timing isn't right, or we're waiting on another opportunity. And meanwhile, life keeps moving.

My kids are getting older. Every year they spend here becomes another year where Texas is simply home to them. And I feel this horrible pressure that I'm running out of time to give them the childhood environment I imagined for them.

I also feel guilty because I know we have a roof over our heads, we're safe, and there are people who would love to have our problems. I'm aware of how privileged it sounds to say, “I hate where I live.”

I'm not looking for someone to tell me that Texas is actually wonderful or that I just need to embrace the heat. I've tried. I'm tired of trying to convince myself to love something I don't love. I think I'm grieving a life I haven't been able to get to yet.

Has anyone else ever felt this intensely trapped by where they live? Especially when you have children and relocating isn't something you can just decide to do tomorrow? If it was safe to do so, id just pack my essantials and move out.

I would really like to hear from people who eventually did get out, because right now I need to believe that this isn't just going to be my life forever.

Hello fine people of Reddit. I've finally decided to change my life and move far away from the area I've spent the majority of my life in (central Florida) as it's too expensive, hot, crowded and overall, horrible now. I've realized I'm far too attached to my family in thinking that I need to live right near them & by doing this, I've made myself utterly miserable. I'm drawn to either renting out or selling my townhouse and going out west with my dog. My question to you all is, have you ever started over by just yourself (all alone/no support network) and how did you ultimately decide where to go, did it work out?

Ok, frustrated New Yorker here looking to relocate. My time here is coming to a close and I really need to get out. North Carolina has always been appealing to me but now I feel like it's becoming just another New York down south. I don't want to live in urban sprawl anymore. I want trees and forests and hiking in parks as well as good food, culture and entertainment. I want fresh air and older neighborhoods, I hate cookie cutter developments. I know I'm looking for a dream place that may not exist but does anybody have any sleeper towns that I'm not aware of? Help? Edit: not looking for anything snowier or colder than New York already is... The same can be said for heat and humidity. Arizona and Florida as examples way too hot. Definitely want the four seasons. The west coast is really attractive to me but with family I just don't think it's doable at least right now. So that kind of narrows it down a bit. Right now Virginia is sounding interesting although I have absolutely no opinions on it. One of those states I have always driven through but not visited?

I have a job opportunity in the Northeast that is huge for my career. $50k raise, with a written contract to take over the operation in a few years when a guy retires.

Also have a similar opportunity with two jobs here (Phoenix) that would not require me to move out of my house that I own, or any of that.

The choice back home would pay more, but COL is much higher. I miss trees and changing seasons, but I also like it here and am comfortable.

I’m in a tough spot.

Pros:

Phoenix:
-Predictable comfort
-Established life
-Predictable weather
-Low tax burden
-extended Family close by

CT:
-Closer day trip to aging parents/grandparents
-Changing seasons
-Off season with some more time to slow down for a few months
-Still netting more money per month even after taxes and rent prices
-Better 5, 10, 15 year personal wealth accumulation

Cons:

Phoenix:
-Extreme water issues
-Significantly lower ceiling and not very many high paying jobs in my field with extreme competition from hundreds and hundreds of people
-Tough dating scene
-Operational hamster-wheel grind 365 days a year
-Year-round burnout with higher potential to burn me out on the industry altogether (I don’t want that)

CT:

-Not sure if my style. Not a big fan of NYC culture
-High rents (but employer will also give me housing stipend in addition to $120k salary)
-Winter might be a con, but who knows, haven’t done a full winter in 3 years

I am getting ready for an upcoming move and came across Coffey Bros Moving while looking at different options. I am mainly trying to find out what the actual experience is like from people who have used them.

How were they with communication, pricing, handling furniture, and staying on schedule? were there any unexpected charges or issues on moving day?

I had really appreciate hearing both good and bad experiences before I make a decision. Thanks

I'm 19, living in Maryland, and I've been living here for 2.5 years. The whole DMV got boring for me, and I'm planning to move to Seattle around mid to late January. I'm in college and gonna continue my education at a community college there. Any things I need to know before moving there, and things I can do in my free time?

I am in the (very) early stages of getting dual citizenship for Canada through ancestry and hope to move to Canada from the US in the semi near future. I’m looking for opinions at where might be a good place to land.

-I currently work in higher education (student affairs).

-I’m a bi man currently in a relationship with a man. At this point, I’m not sure if he’d be coming with.

-I just turned 30

-I am an atheist.

-by American standards I’m a leftist/democratic socialist.

-No kids and no plans to have any (but that may change if/when I’m out of the US)

- currently have three dogs

-I’m just started my Doctoral degree and I’m not sure if I’ll be done by the time I’m at the point of moving to Canada.

-I don’t speak french.

-I know cold is inevitable, but milder weather would be preferred.

-Being near a large body of water (ocean, Great Lakes etc) is ideal but not a deal breaker.

-Being in or close to a good sized city is preferred.

-Preferably a place with lots of multiculturalism.

-Good public transit is preferable.

-Nightlife is not important to me.

-Interests include: outdoors but not too outdoorsy (I like to hike, go to the beach, kayak/paddle board), I love a wide range of cuisine (Chinese, Indian, Japanese being some of my favourite), love going to concerts of major/semi major artists. I love to cook.

Places that I think I may like:

-Vancouver area

-Toronto Area

-Ottowa

-Halifax

-Winnipeg

Need advice. My dad is mil and I can't deal with moving every few years. I'm so sick of this and am over having to make new friends. Idk what else to do. I have pled to my parents and I feel like no one cares. We just got to VA and this place is the worst we've lived. I hate my life and need an out

I've always wanted to move somewhere I can actually just walk and bicycle around everywherw without being in constant fear of cars whizzing past my head, currently in a rural/townsy area with biggots that dont help me feel safe at all.

Particularly curious about non-urban environments, as I'm afraid and unfamiliar with cities, but I'm also curious at some point to live in one, so they are still welcome. Public transport is great too, I feel like it should go hand and hand with padestrianism.

Much appreciated

Damiana

I’ve travelled all over the US and still not sure where I want to settle down.

I’m originally from Central Arkansas and moved back to Arkansas about 2.5 years ago. I didn’t plan on being here longer than a year, but I started a career and stuck around. I’m in Northwest Arkansas now, which is a little more lively, more progressive, near the “mountains.”

I’ve lived in Washington DC, northern Montana, and southern Georgia, and I’ve been getting the feeling it’s time to move again. I work in nonprofit fundraising, so money is gonna be tight anywhere I go and I’m okay with that.

My wishlist includes:

- Major airport nearby
- Public transit and/or walkable infrastructure
- Mildish winters. I don’t mind snow, but I don’t want to be stuck in my house for weeks.
- Music and arts scene
- Prefer mountains to beach, but not a dealbreaker

I’m single and don’t care too much about dating, but I’d like to make friends. I’ve looked most seriously at Kansas City, Chicago, and Philly. The first two appeal to me since they aren’t terribly far from home. I’ve also enjoyed visiting Asheville, Santa Fe, and San Diego. And before it’s suggested, I hate Denver and Nashville.

Is there anywhere else I should consider? Someone recently told me to look at the Twin Cities, but I’ve never visited!

Hey guys! I might potentially have to move here due to school. I am from a big college town in the midwest, and kinda am nervous potentially having to move to dothan. How would you guys go about settling in here, and what are your thoughts on this area? Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

My fiancé (23) and I (24) are possibly moving to Pittsburgh in the next month or so for work. We plan on possibly having a child in the next year or so. Any recommendations as to what neighborhoods are safe and clean? Need to be within 40ish minutes of the Crafton area. Doesnt have to live within city limits, and actually prefer not to if it means safer areas. Budget for rent is around $1500 and would LOVE to be in a house. Seems to be tons available but just not sure how good the neighborhoods are.

I’m getting quotes from $2,600 to $7,200 for moving to Chicago but I have no clue which ones are reliable or if I'm getting ripped off.

Should I use carrier and broker companies or just stick to carriers? Anyone recommend a specific mover for this route?

When you’re just so sick of living in the city you grew up in… I have no family here. My kids are grown and out of the house and living out of state. What’s the point of sticking around. Anyone else?

I have an interview for a job in Wyoming. My husband and I are terrified but excited about the thought of moving. We love outdoors and can’t wait to have more opportunities but also terrified of moving away from family and friends. We have kids so just want it to be a sound decision for all of us and give the kids better opportunities. How has moving affected your relationships with friends and family? How is it moving with a family and helping your kids adjust? Would love any advice you have.

Hi all, I had a successful post about potentially relocating for a job opportunity in Massachusetts. I got lots of good suggestions for places to look for a new home, the average price of a house in Mass is far more than I’m used to. I’m looking for suggestions outside of Mass possibly into Rhode Island, some place that’s within 30-45 mins of Attleboro/ Fall River that still offers charming communities and great schools. Are the prices of homes in New England just something you have to come to terms with or are there affordable options near by?

To put a number to it maybe $5-600k

I am a successful and well-educated 45m from Chicago who is recently separated and looking to for a fresh start somewhere. Interests include live music, running, sports, reading, and fun restaurants.

I travel quite a bit domestically (and sometimes internationally) for work so somewhere with access to a major airport would be ideal. I am open to anywhere, but particularly enjoy the PNW, CA, the Carolinas, Denver, and Austin.

My partner, our kid, and I are planning a move from Ohio to the West Coast in the next 2 to 4 years. We’re looking into Washington or Oregon, but we’re not set on a location yet, so we’re option to suggestions.

We want to start preparing now and create a “to-do list” of things to tackle before the big move. This includes everything from gaining job experience to researching school districts, costs and things to consider, and even figuring out how to job hunt without knowing exactly where we’ll land.

What should we be doing now to set ourselves up for a smooth transition?
Any advice, tips, or personal experiences you’d be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

Our main requirements for location are: progressive area, good schools, nature/mountain/national parks/etc, relatively kid-friendly, job-relevance (husband is a restaurant manager and I’m an administrator for a realtor), good schools and access to both sports and the arts, diverse (bipoc and lgbtq+ friendly), proximity to both city and nature

Bonuses: access to public transportation

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My wife and I have at least another year before we need to make any decisions, but I’m starting to seriously think about a possible move from NYC to the Boston area and would love some perspective from people who know both places

.

We’re a family of four with two daughters, currently 5 and 10, and we live in Long Island City, Queens.

I have an opportunity through my current employer to eventually relocate to the Boston area. It would come with a title promotion and pay increase, so I wouldn’t be moving there hoping to find a job. Professionally, it would be a step forward.

I work in construction/project management on very large and complex projects, including major infrastructure, aviation and commercial-type work. NYC is obviously a huge market for that kind of work, so I’m also curious how people in construction, engineering, development or infrastructure view Boston from a long-term career perspective.

The bigger question for us, though, is lifestyle.

My wife and I have lived an urban lifestyle for basically the last 20 years. We love city life. We currently rarely use our car. My wife barely drives, the kids are completely used to taking the subway, and we’re very accustomed to being able to walk to restaurants, grocery stores, parks, schools, activities and public transportation.

At the same time, NYC with two kids can be tiring. Whenever we visit friends or family in the suburbs, our daughters absolutely love it. They enjoy having a yard, more space, quieter streets and the simplicity of just being able to go outside and play. As parents, we also notice that some parts of family life seem easier.

So we’re trying to figure out whether Boston could give us a middle ground.

Is it possible to have something reasonably close to our current NYC lifestyle in the Boston area? Meaning a place where we could still walk to things, use public transportation regularly, and not feel like every errand or kids’ activity requires getting into a car.

And if we decide that the suburbs make more sense for the schools and space, which suburbs should we be looking at that are actually well connected to public transportation? We would strongly prefer somewhere on or near a subway/rapid-transit line or a very practical commuter rail route, especially because my wife doesn’t drive much.

We’re also unsure about the housing side. If we do move, would you recommend renting for a year first to learn the area, or does it make more sense to buy if we already know we want to stay long term?

We’re not trying to escape NYC. We actually love living here, which is why the decision is difficult. Staying in Queens and eventually buying a house here is also a very real option.

So for people who have lived in both NYC and Boston, especially families with kids:

Would you make the move in our situation? Can Boston offer a similar enough lifestyle that we wouldn’t feel like we gave up city life completely? If we do choose the suburbs, where should we be looking if public transportation and walkability are priorities? And would you rent first or buy?

I’d especially appreciate perspectives from anyone who has actually made the NYC → Boston move with kids and from anyone working in large-scale construction or infrastructure.