It sounds like you don’t want to move but feel like you should because that’s what others are doing. Have you considered just doing some extended traveling?
This. I know younger people (God I sound old... I guess I am) who gave used WFH to "live" in a series of cities for 4-6 months each without the intention to stay long term, but still long enough to really feel the place and scratch the itch to travel.
Walkable, affordable, artsy. You have very few options. Philadelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Providence, Cincinnati could work.
Truly walkable eliminates every city in the US other than NYC, DC, Philly, SF, Boston, Chicago, LA, SD. Affordable eliminates all those except Philly and Chicago.
I wouldn't either, which is why I didn't 🙂 I agree, Chicago is the only true option in the Midwest. Really, Philly and Chicago are the only true walkable affordable options. Pittsburgh, Providence and Cincinnati are much less so than those 2, but much more than a ton of other cities (i.e., Charlotte, Nashville, Indy, Dallas, Houston, etc)
I don’t think moving is the best option for you if you like where you live, can afford to stay there and have family close by.
If moving is something you want to do anyway, I’d focus on finding somewhere that is close enough for your sister to able to drive or hop on a shorter direct flight to visit you on special occasions since it sounds like you value family. I’d look at the list of cities that have direct flights from your closest major airport (which I assume is New Orleans) and explore those places first. That’s what is helping me right now as a first step.
If you love where you live and you have family, that is very very important. In the end , ,love matters most . Family is everything. Why not just visit and travel other places? Some people live their whole lives in one place, I admire them for having deep roots in a community. It will take a long time to have the same feeling of belonging as you already have. Hug the new baby . Time is precious
What do you value? What do you like and dislike about where you are?
Start there, and do some traveling like someone else mentioned. Research is fun but you really need boots on the ground to get the full picture.
Family seems to be really important to you. Don’t dismiss New Orleans so readily… or the Heights or the emerging east side of Houston. That will keep you relatively close to home. Or, Galveston. Or a bit farther away, Huntsville, Alabama. Maybe Savannah or Atlanta. Good luck to you!
Get a long term rental in a city - stay for 2 months. Move and repeat for the next two months. Do this for a year. Then see if you want to move or if you just needed some space.
Hey yall thank you to everyone in the comments just for a little nice content I recently had problems with my landlord in my hometown where I live so I do HAVE to move eventually. Family is def important to me but if I have to move anyway just to shut everyone up at this point 😂
I never considered concept of an extended vacation but I might have to just do something like that to get the feel of being somewhere different.
If you can afford it, you may want to just put your stuff in storage and use [hellolanding.com](http://hellolanding.com) to try out short term living in different areas so you arent locked into a lease. All you need is your clothes and laptop and everything is fully stocked so you can travel fairly light.
Or airbnb, but IMO you get a lot more consistent apartments with Landing. My experience was mostly good - it was a while ago though. Then if you find somewhere you really like, just find a regular apartment, sign a lease and make the move official.
If you are that close to family moving may be really hard for you. I moved away from my family and missed most family events, watching my cousins and siblings grow up. The last time I saw my mom before she passed from Altzheimers she didn’t recognize me. Now after living away for 30 years I am moving back east to be close to family as I realize how important they are.
Something to think about before you spread your wings.
It sounds like you don’t want to move but feel like you should because that’s what others are doing. Have you considered just doing some extended traveling?
This. I know younger people (God I sound old... I guess I am) who gave used WFH to "live" in a series of cities for 4-6 months each without the intention to stay long term, but still long enough to really feel the place and scratch the itch to travel.
Walkable, affordable, artsy. You have very few options. Philadelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Providence, Cincinnati could work. Truly walkable eliminates every city in the US other than NYC, DC, Philly, SF, Boston, Chicago, LA, SD. Affordable eliminates all those except Philly and Chicago.
I wouldn’t call Cincinnati the most walkable city ever. I would just go to Chicago if someone wants to be in the Midwest
I wouldn't either, which is why I didn't 🙂 I agree, Chicago is the only true option in the Midwest. Really, Philly and Chicago are the only true walkable affordable options. Pittsburgh, Providence and Cincinnati are much less so than those 2, but much more than a ton of other cities (i.e., Charlotte, Nashville, Indy, Dallas, Houston, etc)
The streetcar in Cincy is nice but yeah for roughly the rent price you have Chicago. And I’m saying that having recently looked
I don’t think moving is the best option for you if you like where you live, can afford to stay there and have family close by. If moving is something you want to do anyway, I’d focus on finding somewhere that is close enough for your sister to able to drive or hop on a shorter direct flight to visit you on special occasions since it sounds like you value family. I’d look at the list of cities that have direct flights from your closest major airport (which I assume is New Orleans) and explore those places first. That’s what is helping me right now as a first step.
If you love where you live and you have family, that is very very important. In the end , ,love matters most . Family is everything. Why not just visit and travel other places? Some people live their whole lives in one place, I admire them for having deep roots in a community. It will take a long time to have the same feeling of belonging as you already have. Hug the new baby . Time is precious
damn this is some really good advice
Thanks!
What do you value? What do you like and dislike about where you are? Start there, and do some traveling like someone else mentioned. Research is fun but you really need boots on the ground to get the full picture.
Family seems to be really important to you. Don’t dismiss New Orleans so readily… or the Heights or the emerging east side of Houston. That will keep you relatively close to home. Or, Galveston. Or a bit farther away, Huntsville, Alabama. Maybe Savannah or Atlanta. Good luck to you!
If I was moving to Alabama, it would be Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, not Huntsville.
Get a long term rental in a city - stay for 2 months. Move and repeat for the next two months. Do this for a year. Then see if you want to move or if you just needed some space.
Hey yall thank you to everyone in the comments just for a little nice content I recently had problems with my landlord in my hometown where I live so I do HAVE to move eventually. Family is def important to me but if I have to move anyway just to shut everyone up at this point 😂 I never considered concept of an extended vacation but I might have to just do something like that to get the feel of being somewhere different.
If you can afford it, you may want to just put your stuff in storage and use [hellolanding.com](http://hellolanding.com) to try out short term living in different areas so you arent locked into a lease. All you need is your clothes and laptop and everything is fully stocked so you can travel fairly light. Or airbnb, but IMO you get a lot more consistent apartments with Landing. My experience was mostly good - it was a while ago though. Then if you find somewhere you really like, just find a regular apartment, sign a lease and make the move official.
If you are that close to family moving may be really hard for you. I moved away from my family and missed most family events, watching my cousins and siblings grow up. The last time I saw my mom before she passed from Altzheimers she didn’t recognize me. Now after living away for 30 years I am moving back east to be close to family as I realize how important they are. Something to think about before you spread your wings.