What Do You Like About Where You Live? 14 Readers Share…

Simce this was originally posted, i moved back to metro Vancouver (not born here, but did live here for several yrs a while back). The move was difficult, and made mainly for family care-giving reasons. But … i am so glad to be here again. Others have described well why it’s so good here. I will just say that i am more content and relaxed than i have been in years (despite some challenges – nothing is perfect lol). I think this area fits my personality more.

I moved to San Diego after college in the PNW. I lived here for 4 years and moved away for my husband’s grad school. While living in the wonderful states of Montana, Utah, Nevada and Massachusetts people would say oh wow you lived in San Diego – what was that like?? All I could say was well… it was kind of perfect. At least the weather. It’s just right almost all the time – you can wear a zip up hoodie and flip flops every day of the year. We moved back here after 12 years and I feel the same – it’s just about right here. I miss my high-desert small-town upbringing, but I have found that we have seasons here too and we don’t have to feel badly that they aren’t the typical ones of the picture books. We have jacaranda season, Santa Ana winds season, heat in the am/AC in the afternoon season, the season where the grass is green (Dec-Feb!), May-gray, June-gloom, hot October. I have learned to appreciate and love so much about San Diego <3

I live in Bologna, Italy, and what I love most is that every summer the main square transforms into the most beautiful open air cinema in the world, with free screenings of restored films. The food is, of course, incredible. Plus, thanks to high-speed trains, you can get to Florence in 40 minutes, Rome in about 2 hours, and Venice in just over an hour

I live in Antalya, Turkey with my husband who was born here. It is heaven, as I can go to the beach from March to November, and the weather is perfect. I get the freshest produce from the local farms and go explore ancient ruins on weekends. I feel privileged to be here, as the cost of living is very high for the local people. Summers are hard, though; they are very hot and humid. Then I visit friends and family back home in Finland.

I love my current hometown and especially the place where I’m living now because it is a very steady small town. Rarely anything big ever happens. The same thing each week. The refreshing after rain weather. Green sceneries all around us since we’re in a valley!

I love standing on the front porch every morning and seeing the mountains through the fog. I love that we can drive for a half hour and be on the Blue Ridge Parkway in a different climate, thanks to the elevation change. We live in Sylva, North Carolina; our town’s public library is breathtakingly beautiful, an old stately courthouse building that was repurposed into a library and community center. We have blueberries to pick in the spring, creeks, rivers, and waterfalls to play in during the summer, and the best apples you ever tasted in the fall. The rime ice on the mountains in the winter looks like the work of a thousand fairy princesses. We’re a small town with a good local paper that comes out every Thursday. By the time the paper comes out, we’ve usually heard all the news already from our friends.

I knew there’d be a reader from Maine <3

I moved from Canada’s biggest city (Toronto) to a town of 16,000 ppl six years ago and instantly my stress and anxiety level dropped dramatically. Life is so easy here! I love the easy access to nature – lakes, rivers, hiking trails are steps away, the pace of life is slower, people are friendly, there’s no gridlock. It’s cheaper, it’s peaceful (some would say sleepy) and I have a lot of privacy in my home yet know that my neighbours are keeping a friendly eye out. Also – surprisingly, I have a much more active social life here – there may be only one thing going on, but everyone is doing it. A contradiction from living in a big, busy, expensive, dangerous city with endless options

Coming to this post very late, but don’t see anyone shouting out Hawaii and it needs to happen! I live in Kailua, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. Living here is magical for the reasons that tourists see, but also for the overall feeling and aloha way of life. Having lived in Los Angeles and been fortunate to visit many places, there is no place like Hawaii in terms of people being able to enjoy the outdoors and life in general in whatever body they have. That is to say, people wear whatever they want to the beach and women are not ogled nor made to feel bad for being a mom in a bikini (raises hand.) It’s also just not as consumerist as other places I have lived and it is a relief. it is a slight bummer to be so geographically isolated, and yes groceries are expensive, but we are barefoot much of the time and little kids call me auntie in the store. I feel very fortunate to be here.

Hello from Edmonton, Alberta. I struggle with the winters after 20 years here but I do love the hope and eventual arrival of spring. It is the best feeling. We do get a few false starts but when we are past our third winter of the year, it’s such a joy to welcome the longer, warmer days. I plan my garden months in advance and truly relish in getting my hands in the dirt in May, when I can finally make those plans a reality. I have tried to embrace winter more readily over the years but I am just not a winter girly at the end of the day. I do think that the long, cold winters make spring, summer, and fall that much sweeter.

To Rachel- Orcas is magical. One of the most beautiful spots in the world. Your life there sounds special!

​I live in Atlanta. I always figured I would settle in a big city in the Northeast, but I’ve been in Atlanta for 16 years now, and it’s home. I often tell people it’s a weird city to visit. I don’t think I would like it nearly as much if I were a tourist. People come here and go to The World of Coke or our aquarium and think they have seen the city, but there’s so much more to us, under the surface. We just don’t do a great job of showing it off to visitors. What I love about it is all the neighborhoods and how each area of the city has its own feel and heart. Once you get to know those neighborhoods and the people in them, there is so much to do and a strong sense of community. I love our festival seasons (Inman Park Festival, Festival on Ponce, Oakhurst Jazz Nights), beautiful cemeteries that are also public parks (Oakland, Crestlawn, Decatur), and spring and fall in Atlanta – it’s beautiful. But, you really have to be immersed in life here to learn those things. After spending most of my adult life here, I’m still surprised and delighted at how many areas I discover and learn about. We also have a surprising amount of green space as well as lots of nature trails both in and around the city. I absolutely detest that it’s a driving city. There was such an opportunity to make this city more walkable and improve public transportation. However, if you are lucky enough to live by the Beltline (a 22-mile loop built on an old RR track, connecting the city) or can at least drive and park near it, the city becomes much more pedestrian friendly. I would also love to see our arts scene expand.

Oh my gosh, this was so heartwarming. The news feels too hard right now, but this is a necessary reminder of our humanity and what makes life worth living. Thank you for showcasing federal workers, who deserve amazing amounts of support. And, OF COURSE, SHOUT OUT TO IOWA CITY where I grew up from ages 2-22. It truly is magical, full of improvisers and thinkers and believers. Maybe everyone feels this way about their hometowns, but it was the most amazing place to grow into myself.

I don’t even know where to start.. I live where I was born here in north Idaho. •I live in the woods on 5 acres with my family and it’s 10 minutes to our small town. •I love that there are 4 seasons here. •the mountains- hiking, biking, foraging, camping •the rivers, creeks (cricks), lakes- flyfishing, swimming, paddle boarding,canoeing •my job here- organic produce garden •the small town culture •all my family and friends

Have to add a little love for San Francisco! I’m from a small town in New York, and spent 8 years in LA followed by 8 years in the East Bay (Oakland & Richmond) before my husband and I decided to move to the city last year. We have a 3 year old and we were craving a more walkable & bikeable life, proximity to more art and better parks and great food, and a deeper sense of community. We left a single family home for a small apartment, and couldn’t be happier. My husband misses his garden but, genuinely, that’s about it.

I live on the outskirts of Boston and I love spring, summer and fall (and greatly dislike the long winters, but I’m learning to accept it after living in MA my entire life). I love that people here are authentic and tough and not interested in vanity. I love being super close to beaches and also within driving distance to other cool states (all of New England and New York to name a few).

I love where I live. I grew up in a small rural part of the U.S., which I adored, so one might think a big city like Toronto would feel overwhelming. But what makes Toronto special is its many distinct communities, each with its own character and charm. These neighborhoods create a city that feels both expansive and personal. I think it’s because people from all over the world call Toronto home. No matter what I’m in the mood for, there’s a place that fits. If I want a laid-back, artsy vibe, I can head to Kensington Market. For the energy of the city, there’s the downtown core with its towering high-rises. Chinatown is perfect for exploring bustling markets. And my own small community, nestled along the Humber River Trail, offers a quiet retreat with its stunning valley views. It’s like a progressive, diverse version of 1950s suburbia—kids on scooters racing from house to house, volunteers maintaining small community ice rinks, and impromptu street parties popping up throughout the summer. Yes, taxes and housing are high. Housing is out of control, but I actually find taxes reasonable. We pay more, but we get so much in return: healthcare, well-maintained communities, schools, playgrounds, child care, and maternity leave. When I consider what I pay in taxes, I feel like I get more than my fair share back, and I love knowing that my neighbours, whether I know them personally or not, are also supported. Most of all, I love how welcoming Toronto is and how my children will grow up experiencing so many cultures without ever having to leave their city.

Wow. I LOVE this post and would love to see it become a regular thing. I think about PLACE constantly and am looking to uproot my life again. I am debating between the PNW and Vermont for more access to hiking, trees, water and cooler weather. I have lived in and around Austin TX for ten years. Three in Fort Collins, CO and left Phoenix, AZ after college. Austin area: I appreciate the sunshine (although I do get sick of it and we all complain about how our version of Seasonal Affective Disorder sets in around August – too much sun is dispiriting). The food is out of this world, the people are pretty open and friendly, spring blooms and scents are heaven, water holes in summer, lots of biodiversity here – second in the nation after California. I hate the traffic, the constant sunshine and the relentless heat. Winter is basically nonexistent with the exception of one or two random arctic blasts in January or Feb. I hate TX politics/conservatism, I hate that people do not have basic human rights here like access to abortion. I hate how big our state is and you have to drive 9 hours to hike a mountain or 14 hours for cooler weather in summer, cockroaches in Austin apartments, not much to do other than eat, Austin is very different today and becoming more Silicon Valley – tech bros, their money and general maturity and lack of consideration for others is ruining what’s left of our once laid back city. For those who are interested. I loved the hiking in Colorado and the biking trails in FoCo are fabulous. The political situation in Colorado is more my speed. Similar to Austin – the sun is nice but gets old. I never really clicked with a community there, the food is boring, it’s ugly and brown most months of the year, getting crowded, expensive, and the Greeley Stench wafts up too often (lotta factory farms down there and the fierce winds blow up the stench of feces up to FoCo). Phoenix – not much I ever liked about it. Mountains in the city proper for hiking were the best. Otherwise, too conservative (when I was there it was very right wing but things are changing), smog, sickeningly hot most of the year, overdevelopment and sprawl, highways and 45-60 minute drive to get anywhere, no real culture or food scene, water issues.

Toronto. It’s the perfect happy medium. Four seasons. Excellent arts and food scene. So many nationalities. Phenomenal parks and waterfront. Trees everywhere. Good transit. Loads of community support. Oh and Olivia Chow is our Mayor now!!! She’s doing all the wonderful things for our beautiful city.

Woot woot – Grand Rapids! A place I swore I’d never return to when I left but oh, how time changes one’s perspective.

I live in a small town in WVa. We’re in the south eastern corner, near the VA line. I love these old mountains and being near a river. We raised our children here and they could bike to dance classes and piano lessons. Lots of back-to-the-landers settled here in the 70’s and it’s made for a close knit, sort of artsy community.

Dang, this makes me miss New England. Living in Texas really does invite an undercurrent of angst. There are good people and wonderful things about this place, but it really does feel like living on the frontier from a cultural standpoint.

Micah, if you’re out there we also moved to CT for TX and felt like we were instantly at home! We’re in Farmington!

Hi Rachel :) I was checking out concert dates for https://www.instagram.com/windbornesingers/?hl=de (a really cool choir singing old songs) for Europe, but alas: They will be on your island on 11th of April. Orcas Island really seems to have everything :)

envious of micah’s “click” and feeling content in connecticut. i moved back to the midwest to raise a family after a glorious chapter of life on the west coast, and i have to say, the midwest is not hitting like i thought it would! it’s amazing to be so close to family which provide an immense amount of help with our new baby, but culturally i feel at odds with being back in the place where i grew up. hoping a “click” is in my future, either finally feeling it here, or maybe a move away (again).

Love this post and the comments section. It’s so easy to feel down about the US right now, but seeing people’s love for their communities warms the heart. I have lived in Minneapolis for 15 years now, moving here from a small rural community in southern MI. I love my new city because it is so nice to feel I am surrounded by a majority of people who share my democratic values. The schools (K12 and university) are well funded and excellent and the park system is world class. The city has four urban lakes and all of the land around them is public park. Rich people’s houses are set back, across the road, placing the public interest in these lakes over the privilege of wealth and I celebrate that every time I walk, run, bike and picnic on the Grand Rounds. I also love that our community is so supportive of the LGBT community with more openly gay couples than any other (I’ve been told). I do wish we had more affordable housing and that we were more diverse racially. My husband and I are 5-7 years from retirement and we have decided to stay here. We will travel more to escape the darkest and coldest months but I so appreciate the quality of life we have here. I hope we can keep it.

Well I’m several days late to this post but I’d figure I’d share my story! I’ve been living in Philly for 6 years and it always felt off. I read the comments about how people don’t mind the grit, loudness, rudeness, etc. because of all of the other aspects, but the benefits don’t outweigh these challenges for me. I’m such an HSP that it really gets to me to hear sirens and honking every 5-10 minutes (and I’m in a relatively quieter part of the city too!). SO after visiting south central Alaska a month ago, I decided to move there (!!!!!) and I couldn’t be more excited. I spent my days ice skating on peaceful frozen lakes, hiking in the Kenai peninsula, and skiing down mountains. It was exactly what my soul was craving. I know everyone has the “I could live here” thought on a vacation, but on this trip that thought became “I want to live here.” I want mountains right in my backyard and winters that remind me of pre-climate change New England. I want mild summers (no more Satan’s porch that is Philly summers!) that allow me to actually enjoy the long days. I know AK has its challenges, especially for someone who’s uncomfy with guns and leans liberal politically, but I won’t know if those aspects are dealbreakers until I try. It’s a very expensive and time consuming move to try, lol, but I feel ready to take the risk!

Have to add some love for Chicago! I’ve lived in Phoenix/Scottsdale, San Francisco, and Austin previously… and I think Chicago is just the perfect mix of everything we’ve ever wanted. As someone who never had seasons in any of my other cities, I love the seasons! I love that we have access to everything a big city can offer (shopping, theater, food, museums), but we get to live in a very neighborhoody neighborhood where every other person has a dog and/or stroller. I love all the local places we frequent and the people there who recognize our toddlers. I love being so close to the lake. I love all the parks–we can walk to at least 10 playgrounds. I love the public transportation but that if I need to drive, it’s not as awful as some of the other places we’ve lived. I love the people we’ve met. I love the free zoo. I love just walking around and looking at the city–so much cool history and architecture. I love all the restaurants we occasionally get to visit when we can get a babysitter.

I live in a town in Essex, southern England which is close to London, UK but which also borders on gorgeous countryside. I love that I have a woodland walk around the corner from my apartment where I can see deer and few people and walk to my favourite coffee shop on the weekend in the neighbouring area. I love that on my local 30 min walk or run around the block I pass a pretty pond, some woods and can cut through a private street of lovely houses if I want to. I love that there is an animal sanctuary a 10-min walk from my apartment and that it brightens my day when I go there in the sunshine. I love that I can cycle through so many pretty villages and so much picturesque scenery throughout the summer. I love that my favourite way to spend a day is to catch the bus to a quaint tearoom in a nearby village and then hike to my favourite pub in the middle of the woods. I also love how well connected I am to London by train so that I can get my fill of culture whenever I want with friends or family. I like how many different ages there are here and that the high street is buzzing with activity every day of the week. I don’t like how I feel like an outsider surrounded by people who are from here and that there is a lack of diversity while my old neighbourhood in London was the opposite. I also don’t like I am not close to my family, that they wish I would be closer to them and still haven’t quite seen the best of the area in my view. I grew up in another commuter town in the western direction from London, and while I recognise why that region is so popular, I really feel like that Essex is an underrated county overall.

Until 5 months ago when I moved to London, I lived in Washington DC. People talk a lot of smack on DC because they think only of politicians in suits. But DC is a beautiful city full of normal families, friends, bikers, hikers, cooks, doctors, you name it. I miss it every day. DC springs are glorious with cherry blossom petals floating in the air and tulips all around. There’s amazing hikes and city walks along the river, the world class museums are free, and there’s nothing like the Lincoln memorial at night. Plus the city is full of such smart, wonky people dedicated to good – from NGOs to public servants. London may sound more exciting, but my heart is back in DC. Especially right now.

I live in a mid-sized town 40 minutes north of Toronto. I really love it here… it’s close enough to the city for good job opportunities, concerts, and culture, but also near to trails, lakes, and stunning provincial parks. And we’re far enough north to get proper snow, which I love. It’s also increasingly multi-cultural, which makes for great food and a lovely community. It took me awhile to get used to the suburban lifestyle (having grown up in the country and young adulted in the city), and I’d like better public transit, but it feels like a Goldilocks spot. It’s my forever home ❤️

I have loved reading these comments! I’m a little late contributing to the party, but sometimes I like to spend time loving the comments section and thinking on posts before I comment. My husband and I live and work on a boarding school campus in the southeastern U.S. We work, live, and eat together, and make ourselves available for the good of the students. In the sense of engaging with the community, we work a lot, but I cannot overstate what a paradise it is. Our house is attached to a boys dorm, and residents’ windows overlook my garden and porch. I’ve had a student bring his soccer jersey to the gate while I was on the porch swing, and sheepishly ask if I could mend it before his game that afternoon. In addition to living life and doing activities together, working on duty in the dorms, and driving students places, we also pitch in to care for the students in bigger situations; for example, we’ll help the students shelter today during turbulent weather, and we took great care of our students during covid. We know our colleagues/neighbors well, and we all help when someone needs it. Our commutes are a walk across a broad green lawn with oak trees, and we can come home to see each other and our dogs during lunch. As for our location itself, there’s something magical about this place. We open our gate to miles of hiking trails, a creek, and a lake, all seasons except summer are glorious (I can garden year-round and can use the greenhouse!), and we’re close enough to restaurants and museums, and not far from the beach or the heart of the Appalachians. We love it here. It’s our dream. <3

I live in Asheville, NC. I love the accessibility of nature, the focus on local (arts, farms, food, music), the seasons, and the overall vibe of the city. It is so sad to see the damage from Hurricane Helene, and I’m worried what that will mean for the summer, when getting outside and swimming/hiking/enjoying the greenways used to be the main focus. We still have overturned UHauls in the river.

PILAR! I live right near you:) Should we have a tiny CoJ meetup in Northern Spain? On a mountain? If so, find me @dasBrooklyn on instagram….and any other readers that might be nearby (I thought i was the only one):)

I have lived on all continents and have finally found my HOME. Wonderful Seattle! I LOVE: The people! The climate! The views of the lake and Mt Rainier from my apartment! I AM LESS FOND OF: The expense of living here The TRAFFIC The sunny summers (I was told it rains year around, but that is NOT true, May through August last year was what other people considered sunny perfection! … and what I hate to admit is kind of beautiful when you have access to water and the nights are still somewhat cool!) IT IS MY DREAM PLACE, I AM SO IN LOVE!

I live in Manhattan. I love that you can step out your door and do a million different things (theater, concerts, ballet, musical events, food events, to name a few) some of which are free or low cost. and meet so many truly interesting people. I love that the city attracts so many industrious, so many creative and arts folks from all over the country and the world. I love the diversity. On any day in any area, you can meet people from all over the world. NYC is NOT homogenized and that is great. So much to see, do, experience. I love the huge public transit system that can take you to the five boroughs and beyond for under $5 one way. On the downside, very expensive to live here and you may have to make some serious sacrifices to do so if you’re planning to move here. If you don’t like public transportation, owning a car is super expensive and with all the traffic, for sure, not a good idea. You also have to be able to move around in crowds. I’ve never been a fan of crowds but it’s a trade -off for access to so much (restaurants, shops, cultural events, our parks ! etc.) New Yorkers and the tons of tourists who come here are a very interesting bunch of people. I never, ever imagined I would live in NYC. Our senior high school trip was to NYC on a damp, hot day. Ugh. We went to the Statue of Liberty, saw a Broadway show and ate at some cheap tourist trap restaurant in Times Square. I was NOT impressed. My classmates were all : Oh I want to live there but I was like: No way. But…the college I wanted to attend was in NYC, so off I went and here I stayed and it’s been a love story ever since. It’s made for some of us in ways we might not even have imagined. Some four decades later, I love NYC even more despite its challenges. It is not perfect, nothing is but it works for me and clearly for a lot of others.

We live in Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. All of your stores are an adventures and are so inspiring. I love our area of the world, no extreme weather (yet). We have a deep history of our country and the Lenape tribe. The land we live on, in a typical suburban townhome community, was where the last 50 Jewish children came to when rescued by a couple of Philadelphia during World War 2. https://jfi.org/programs/jfi-on-demand/50-children-the-rescue-mission-of-mr-and-mrs-kraus I love knowing wha happened on the land I live on and it has been a sanctuary for children for so long, including my own growing up in a neighborhood where you can walk to your friends houses, go to the local store and swim in the pool that was originally part of what became a summer camp. It’s Olympic size!

Im in Birmingham, Alabama! I absolutely love it. We have amazing public schools and it’s a wonderful place to raise a family. We are close to the beach, lakes and mountains. It is a city that feels like a small town due to the tight knit communities. In my opinion, the main downside is the very hot summer- however in return we get mild winters!

I love this post ! Mostly because I see two cities I’ve lived in – MI and IA!! Yay for the Midwest COJ readers 🩷

I live in Vermont in a medium-sized town near Burlington. We’ve been here eleven years now. I love the lush green summers and the beautiful snowy winters. I love the outdoor lifestyle and access – snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, a dip in the lake, etc. are all close by. I love the seasons and gorgeous Lake Champlain and the schools and the liberal vibes and the local produce everywhere in the summer and the maple syrup which is truly the best….. I love that my son has grown up in a place where playing outside, even in cold weather, is expected and celebrated. I love my friends and the nonprofit I’m so proud to work for and the way (most) of our elected officials fight tirelessly for policies and causes I believe in. We have our problems for sure, including a housing crisis and high rate of homelessness, high cost of living, drug crisis, a lack of diversity in many (though not all) communities……plus this desert-born girl struggles with too few sunny days. But, I have lived a lot of places and this place suits me and my little family best. This tiny little state has stolen my heart.❤️

Mara, Oasis has matzo ball soup (often it is only seasonal- but they do make it!)

This is an amazing post – Jo and team, I’d love to read more similar ones like this! There are so many other lives we can imagine ourselves into here (I have to admit, the Orcas Island one is probably winning for me). I’ve lived in London, UK for almost *forty* years, since I was 5, and although I know I’m lucky to have spent most of my life in such a huge, cosmopolitan city, I have really mixed feelings about the place – but it would take a whole essay for me to unpack them all! Please do more of this series – it reminds me of ‘Motherhood around the World’, which I also adored! Love reading about other

Oh gosh where to start! Moving from Florida to Maine has been life changing. Living on a lake and having seasons is wonderful. It does take a bit of a drive to run errands but totally worth it.

I relate to Malia’s comment so very much! I live in Tulsa, OK and have a love/hate relationship with it. I love that my family is here and I have a fabulous group of girlfriends who mean the world to me. I love all the lakes Oklahoma has to explore. I love all the unique restaurants and boutiques in town that aren’t part of chains. I like that our winter isn’t extremely cold but hate that our summers are stiflingly hot. I love that Tulsa isn’t too big or too small and that I’m only a 4-hour drive from Kansas City or Dallas if I need a big-city fix. I hate the politics here and as a blue dot in a very red state, I can sometimes feel alone. Most of all, I hate not being close to the sea.

I live in Bend, Oregon. It has all of the expected pros and cons of a beautiful mountain town with easy access to outdoor recreation: the nature is gorgeous and everywhere, all around. The vibe is chill and friendly. I never have to drive longer than 12 minutes in any direction to get anywhere, and I can bike to most things. The public school system has an incredible magnet program; if your kiddo needs a different approach or classroom structure than a traditional one, there are a bunch to choose from. My kids go to a tuition-free Montessori school. We ski every weekend during the season, and it takes 30 minutes to get there. Our neighborhood is especially tight; we have themed potlucks and roving bands of feral children on bikes. The cons are what comes of fast growth, so they’re not particularly Bend specific. Insanely fast rise in cost of living, a small town trying to catch up in all of the ways. Wait times for doctor’s appointments are crazy long, because suddenly there are a lot more people who need to see them. Kiddo activity classes and preschools and summer camps fill up lightening fast. There’s “traffic,”now, which, if you’ve lived here forever, I see how you’d chuff at a change like that. (But for everyone in a medium-to-big city: there’s no traffic, y’all.) It’s a super white place, with stark income inequality, and a housing supply with zoning that inherently segregates between rich and not. The city is doing its best to try to grow consciously, with accessibility and integration in mind, but out to the East, you still see the beginnings of Sprawl. I’m worried that it’s going to look like the drive in between Denver and Colorado Springs: just the same soulless, car-centered, identical suburban neighborhoods with a Starbucks and a Target stamped in between them, and no trees. On the west side, they’ve been doing a better job with keeping and building around the big old trees, mixing townhouses and apartment buildings with single family homes, and generally better housing/business integration so that the neighborhoods are more walkable. But it could be better. A finicky con from someone who grew up in Colorado: Bachelor doesn’t have an après-ski scene. Like you can’t finish the day, put your skis or board on a rack at the base of the run, and walk directly into a restaurant where everyone there also just did the same. There are places down in town with lift-closing-time happy hours, but once you’re in the car, the exhaustion of the day hits, and going home to order a pizza suddenly feels a lot more appealing. Which means that among locals, there’s less of an easy mountain community. Don’t get me wrong: it’s still small enough that I run into my friends and neighbors in the lift line, and my kids find their friends from school, and that’s magical. But when there’s a small cluster of places to go right there on the mountain, it’s much easier to foster a community and build friendships that are tied to this thing we all love, and I miss that. It doesn’t have the kind of arts and culture saturation that a big city does, but honestly, it has enough of it to experience about the same amount of it as a busy person in a big city would go to anyway. When I lived in Portland/New York/Denver/San Diego/Prague, I saw live music about 1-2 times a month, went to live theater or stand up about 4 or 5 times a year, took 6-week long dance classes when I felt inclined, went to a museum about once a month, and drank free wine at gallery openings about 5 or so times a year. I can do all of that at the same level here. And Portland is a 3.5 hour drive if there’s a particular performance I want to go to that isn’t coming here, and I can always crash overnight there with friends or family.

Hello from the Scottish Highlands! I love the scenery and the people here. We are in a small town on the coast and the beaches and forest are marvelous. There is community, particularly with young kids and easy connection to neighbouring towns. I really miss good restaurants. I grew up in Edinburgh and the variety of choice was fab compared to where we are now. But this now feels like home and I don’t think we would love the pace of a big city anymore.

I live in Veracruz, Mexico for work. The people are so friendly, and the food is delicious. I love that I can bike to work (I don’t have a car and don’t really need one) and take sunset walks on the beach every day. But I hate, hate, HATE the weather. The heat and humidity are just suffocating. I wish I could enjoy it more but I just can’t tolerate being outside during the day for more than like 15 minutes!

I live in Colorado and have the mountains right in my backyard – to my family and I, there’s nothing better! Trail runs, hikes, farmers markets, sunshine, wonderful people…. it’s a really lovely place to call home!

Any thoughts on coming to love the place you live more? I live in Laguna Niguel, CA (inland a bit from Laguna Beach). It’s very suburbs-y and hilly, so there’s not much option to walk anywhere and commerce is mostly strip-malls centered around chain stores. The weather is beautiful, of course, but it’s hard to feel any kind of community especially because our neighborhood demographic is mostly retired folks and we’re a younger couple with a baby on the way. I grew up in a tight knit community where we knew all of our neighbors, ran free after school and all summer and there was so much more of a community feel. Any thoughts on finding community in a city not really set up for it especially with a baby on the way and no family nearby?

I’m also a long-time Iowa City resident! I’d add it’s a very literary city too because of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. The library is phenomenal. They’re always planning fun activities for kids and adults, like drag story time or family movie nights. There are some great local bookstores and lots of author readings too!

I live in Brooklyn, and have been in NYC over half my life. I take cabs sometimes and get a lot of things like groceries delivered, but I truly can’t imagine a car-dependent lifestyle. Every time I spent time elsewhere (even major cities, like LA or Chicago) the “trapped” feeling I get knowing I can’t just walk out the door and hope on public transit to get anywhere (sometimes delayed, or with transfers, or crowded….) makes me thankful that I live her. I hate the insanely high rent and mortgage prices. And the current mayor.

Jane, trans women and girls are women and girls, and I’m disappointed to see someone in the Cup of Jo community misgender people so ruthlessly. As a lifelong Iowa , I do not believe that “most Iowans recognize this,” and I doubt Joanna does either. I would love to see a comment from the Cup of Jo team affirming that trans women are women and belong in women’s spaces, just so we can all be clear.

Hello from Washington, DC. It is a very hard time to live here and I hate that we have no representation in congress. Many of the things I love about being here are on the cusp of being ripped away with the budget bill. DC has (had?) universal free prek 3-4, has (had?) wonderful playgrounds where we spend so much time, has (had?) excellent public transportation, and had stable government jobs. And we are fighting. I’m part of a parent group that got together a few weeks ago to fight the mayor’s proposed cuts to prek for next year. This week the group (500+ parents) immediately pivoted to calling all senators on the fence and going to their offices to advocate for a no vote on the CR and cloture. Seeing so many families fighting so hard for our city makes me proud to be here, even as we prepare for very tough years ahead. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna196230

I moved from Iowa to Florida! I currently live 30m outside of Sarasota…more importantly….15m from Siesta Key! I love the weather, the beaches, and the small-town vibes of my specific area. I don’t love the entitled nature of many residents with money – looking at you, Gulf Gate – but the regular, everyday folks are fun. Plus hardly anyone is FROM here. We all came from someplace else to live near the water!

Not a lot of Southerners here! I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and have my whole life. I love the culture, the food and that trees and flowers are almost always in bloom. (Thanks sub-tropical climate) There is also alwaaays something going on and always something to celebrate. It’s very much a party culture which is fun and happy! I hate the hot, humid summers, the terrible schools and the politics. But I’m here for family and appreciate the support when raising 2 young children.

Surprised to see my comment needs further context! Of course, I’m referring to the laws ensuring spaces for women and girls remain accessible only to biological females. Allowing a man (regardless of how he identifies) into these sorts of spaces is not a civil rights issue. Championing a man’s right to access female spaces is not justice. Most Iowans recognize this, our governor especially.

A wonderful post with so many lovely comments. I wish I could live in, or at least visit, all the places!

I need some advice from my New York girls. My family moved to midtown Manhattan six months ago so my husband can attend grad school. We have a 16-month-old son. I was so excited to move here but am exhausted by daily life. Going out to do laundry, hauling home groceries, and just getting around are so hard. We live in a 5th floor walk up so that’s probably a contributing factor. I’m struggling to get around by myself with a stroller since no subway stations seem to be accessible. I want to love it here. I do love the access to parks, museums, and restaurants, but haven’t found a good groove. Any New York tips and tricks??

Except for college, I’ve lived in Boston and the western suburbs of Boston my whole life and I love it here. There are so many ways to get outside in all different kinds of terrain and environments and there is so much community arts and culture to enjoy. We are also so lucky to have incredible schools – my kids go to a school with a dual language program starting in Kindergarten, so they are learning a second language and the school is also so supportive of their lives and learning. My heart breaks to see the challenges facing schools nationwide, and I’m so grateful for our school and teachers. Downside? Traffic! Apparently we have some of the worst in the world! You can avoid it to do fun things, but if you have a bad commute, it’s rough.

Born and raised in Rochester, NY but have lived in Nevada, New Jersey, and Massachusetts before relocating back to my hometown a couple of years ago. Western NY (NOT upstate – that’s the Hudson Valley in our opinion ;-)) gets a bad reputation for our gloomy gray weather and winters but as an adult I have realized what a great place it is to both grow up and settle down! Rochester has a thriving music and arts scene, rich suffrage and abolitionist history, amazing museums and cultural institutions, festivals all summer long, a waterfall right in the heart of the city, and punches way above our weight in the food & cocktails arena. Locals joke you can get just about anywhere in the greater metro area within 15 minutes and it’s honestly true. You can’t beat the (lack of) traffic here, although it is still a very car-centric region and I wish we had better public transit. I love that I can walk to the shores of Lake Ontario from my house. I love how much we all appreciate the spring, summer, and fall seasons because winters are so rough. Our housing market is exploding right now but it is still one of the most affordable places for first-time homeowners and COL in the country. Many downtown neighborhoods remain very segregated and the City’s school district has been struggling for as long as I can remember. A lot of life-long Rochesterians love to complain about our city but, in many many ways, it is a truly great place to live and put down roots.

I live in Atlantic Canada and my glimmers are the smell of the ocean air, gorgeous hiking trails, and the close-knit community that makes home feel like a warm hug. About being Canadian more broadly: I’m grateful for free healthcare (it’s not really free of course, everyone chips in via taxes which is a form of community care), long life spans, high literacy rates, gun control, 20 years of marriage equality, 37 years of abortion rights, legalized MJ, diversity, equity, inclusion, the charter of human rights, and the CBC. And that though we are FAR from perfect, we are trying. What I don’t like about living here: a volatile next-door neighbour whose leader wants to annex us. ELBOWS UP.

We live in Sleepy Hollow, NY, which is as charming a town as they come. October is full of activity, people and traffic, as you can image, but it’s an otherwise quiet town. I can walk into town, walk to the train to get into NYC in 40 minutes, and walk to the beautiful Rockefeller Preserve with miles and miles of hiking trails. It’s also full of great restaurants and music venues and the houses are mostly on teeny lots, which means you get a lot of face time with your neighbors (which I love). My kids roam the town freely and if they’re up to no good, it’s only a matter of minutes before someone calls me to tell me what’s up. I always thought I’d hate the non-anonymous nature of a small town, but I actually love it. I love knowing what my neighbors are up to, I love knowing about their kids, I love knowing the names of the shop owners and having them hold items in the store that they think I’d like. Bad parts – housing prices are sky high, but we FINALLY got in front of it and bought our house 11 years ago before things went bananas.

I don’t think Syracuse, NY is for most people, but I love it here. I have a creek in my backyard and live next to a bird sanctuary, but can be downtown in 15 minutes. Every season is done to the nth degree, but I love the variety. Plus, I have a theory that the gray days must have a similar effect to Ireland’s: Toni Morrison, George Saunders, David Foster Wallace, Joyce Carol Oates, Mary Karr, Raymond Carver (the list goes on) have all lived and written here.

I have lived in Yorkshire for over 30 years but am from southern England and am currently planning to sell up and move back – maybe to my hometown, maybe to the coast, maybe to London. Yorkshire is beautiful and so are my friends and my village but the south has always been where I feel at home. Half scared, half excited.

So happy to see a fellow Manitoban on here!

I have lived in Northern New Mexico for the past 20 years. We live in the Jemez Mountains at 7500 ft, and it is glorious. Small town, great library, super safe, quiet, and 4 seasons (though I challenge you to find anyone who says they enjoy NM spring). We moved here for work. It’s been a lovely place to raise our son, but I’m not sure I want to retire here. NM is for reals the best. Please don’t tell anyone…but the downsides are extreme. Healthcare is abysmal. I have great docs, but I have to drive all over to be seen by them. Getting work done on your house is a joke, unless you luck out and get the only good tradesperson. And the amenities in our little town are dwindling. I’m accustomed to having to drive 45 minutes to Santa Fe to get all the things, but it does get old. And the threat of wildfires gets worse each year… But the sky, the views, the glorious weather, the lovely people (NMians get a bad rep, but they are just reserved), the respect for letting people do their own thing, the art, the history…that’s what keeps me here.

I live in San Jose, California. While I don’t particularly love the city of San Jose, I love that we are so close to sooo much beauty and outdoor adventure: we have beautiful parks for hiking and biking year-round within a 30 minute drive, the beach is 45 minutes away, and San Francisco about an hour (depending on traffic). Oh, and skiing and the Sierra Nevada are only 3-4 hours away. I love the diversity of San Jose, and I love my boring little neighborhood with a view of the hills/mountains. I do not like California traffic though, and I would prefer a more walkable neighborhood. I am trying to use my bike more for errands, but it’s a bit scary around here. On another note, it is interesting to me that people really spend time around here to “stir the pot”, like “Jane” above – what’s the point of that. But oh well, to each their own. I also like that California is not a red state.

I live on the edge of the city in the capital region of Nova Scotia, Canada. I love the deep community roots in our neighbourhood/community, where we have been for 15 years now. I love that I can walk to a grocery store, drug store, cafe, and more – or a lake – or the ocean. If I turn left at the end of my street, I am mere minutes from beaches and hiking in a rural setting. If I turn right, I’m mere minutes from every city amenity. I don’t like the high cost of living (among the highest in the country) and the low low median wages (among the lowest in the country).

I have lived in Salt Lake City Utah for over twenty years, which is longer than I have lived any other place in my life. We live in a very blue bubble in an insanely gerrymandered state and while it’s beautiful here (Mountains! Five National Parks that will be destroyed through the DOGE cuts!)and our son won’t let us move until the next Olympics, it is a very hard state to live in. The state legislature just wrapped up their 45 day session during which they passed a bill to ban pride flags from schools and government buildings, rolled back vote by mail (when most of your state is rural and you have a huge Native American population this amounts to massive voter suppression) and killed collective bargaining for public workers. The super majority makes it nearly impossible for any meaningful change and their obsession with culture war politics comes at the expense of climate change impacts (the Salt Lake is literally drying up) underfunded public education and forcing the University of Utah to cut DEI programs all over campus. And of course the cost of living/housing has sky rocketed since covid when so many people moved here. It is maddening and emotionally exhausting. But the skiing is good.

Sitting down to read this article in my Davis apartment to see Davis pop up first!! CoJ community is such a small world :))