Do you love L.A. or does it make you want to hop on the first “midnight train to Georgia?” Where you live can positivity or negatively effect your career mobility, social options, and finances. Living in the wrong city for your personality and lifestyle can also seriously steal your peace. Now, every person has a different idea of what constitutes a great place to live. While the exciting, fashionable, concrete jungle that is New York City may be a dream for one sista, the insane pace, high rent, and dirty public transit may be hell for another. So how do you know when it’s time to make that move? Here are some tell-tale signs that you’re ready to say, “peace out” to your current digs and try somewhere new.
You Need A Different Pace
When you were twenty-three, you loved the bright lights, big city and nightlife where you live. Now that you’re full grown, you’re constantly cranky and find yourself complaining about noise and overcrowding. It may be time for the peace and quiet of suburban living. Conversely, you may be tired of the tame little town where you now reside and crave a city that never sleeps. If you are frustrated with the pace of life in your city, it may be time to move.
The Weather Is Killing You
Is it too daggone hot or rainy in your metropolis? If you contemplate murder while shoveling out from yet another snowstorm, it may be time to go. Occasional irritation with the weather is normal. However, if there are months when the weather is affecting your state of mind, maybe you should consider a change of scenery. I have a good friend who hated the northern winters so much that her mood would be affected significantly. Now that she’s moved down to sunny Florida, she is much happier. You may be too, if you move to a city with a climate you that enjoy.
Local Activities Bore The Hell Out of You
Is the most hype thing going on in your town Bingo night at the senior center? Do you crave more excitement? It may be time to move on to a place where the nightlight life has more pizzazz. If you love the theatre and the only show in town is the local high school production of Les Miserables, then you may enjoy a city with a more vibrant cultural life. If the local scene is nap-worthy, it may be time to raise up and move out.
Your Career Can’t Thrive Where You Are
If you want to be the next Naomi and you hail from Iowa then you need to move to New York or L.A. There are certain careers like fashion and media that demand that you are in certain cities in order to find work. Also, if you’ve reached the pinnacle of success in your smaller city, you may want to challenge yourself to conquer larger markets. If you want to move your career forward, moving may be the thing to do.
The People Suck
Ever feel like you don’t belong? Do you consider yourself either too urban or too urbane to vibe with the folks around you? You may be stuck in a racist town or maybe your own people think that you act too white. Maybe you get laughed at because of your sexuality, fashion-sense or creativity. Bump those people. They suck and since you don’t, it may be to move to a place where your uniqueness is appreciated.
The Housing Prices are Astronomical
If your tiny studio apartment in your Hot city costs as much your parents’ mortgage and you NEED more space, it might be time to leave. You may want to own something, but the astronomical prices of real estate or high property taxes prevent you from buying. Some ladies don’t mind. In the country’s most expensive cities, you have to pay to play. The cultural, career, and social benefits may outweigh the need for space. However, if having space without going bankrupt means a lot to you, you may want to move to a less-expensive city.
You Can’t Stand the Commute
There are lots of ways that your commute can be horrible. You may be sick of the stinky, crowded subway where getting hit on by the toothless is an everyday thing. In that case, you may want to move to a place where you can drive. On the other hand the traffic situation may be so overwhelming that it takes hours for a drive that should take 20 minutes. If your daily commute drives you up the wall, it may be time to switch it up and move.
You’ve Always Wanted To Move, But Are Too Scared
You’ve always dreamed of living in Atlanta, but it’ll be expensive. What if you have trouble meeting people? It’s not the perfect time yet. What about that guy? Blah, blah, blah. Woman up! If you’ve always wanted to move, make it happen. Moving to another place is a great opportunity for personal growth. You can do it! Just put a plan in motion to secure employment, housing and transportation and make your dream a reality.
When did you know it was time to move from your city?
