We moved from Northern Arizona over two years ago after twenty years in the high desert. Factors that drove our decision were: 1) probable lack of water (re-drilling well), 2) county interference in our plans for the homestead, 3) inflow of blue-state voters. Our present location is a five acre homestead on Sand Mountain in Alabama. Two ponds, no requirements for building permits, conservative/self-sufficiency values dominate. Oh, and 25%-30% Hispanic population for diversity.
I reckon most people live where they live simply because they were born there.
I actually migrated to another country, but it's a bit difficult, and it kinda sucks that all your friends and family from when you grew up are no longer around any more.
You can always meet new people but it's not the same.
Having said that, it's the best to choose where to live, independent of where you were born.
I live 5 minutes walk to lake Huron. Less than 5 mins walk to a golf course. Less than 5 minutes walk to hours worth of nature trails. 5 minute drive to the largest ski hill in the region. I love where I live.
Only drawbacks. It is in the communist republic of Canada and it is pretty expensive for housing and cost of living wise here. Not as expensive as Toronto but getting pretty close as many people with money leave the city for a better lifestyle.
One of the biggest mistakes I've made in my life/career was not moving asap somewhere where people shared my interests.
Around 2018, we began city shopping. I knew many bitcoiners that I respected lived in Austin, so it was by default high on the list. It was also freedom seeking, low tax, quirky, cheap (at the time), tech infused, and my mother's side of the family are all southerners (it feels familiar).
The first time we visited Austin we were in line at Franklin's and got to chatting with a guy behind us. Long story short, he was a guitarist for Brent Cobb who was touring with Chris Stapleton, and he invited us to the show that night (backstage, tour bus, etc). We had a surprising and magical night to say the least and the rest of our Austin trip harmonized.
So we moved to Austin.
That experience really sealed the deal (it felt like a sign), but it's really the bitcoiners, diverse politics, tech scene, and general outsider-ness that sold us on Austin.
I have lived in several different places, all based on my job's location. Now I am thinking I should spend more time traveling and checking out other places.
it is nice here