I spent months living in different US cities in search of my dream home. After a few letdowns, I think I’ve found it.

When I moved to Washington, DC, for graduate school after a few years abroad, I expected to feel at home.

After all, I’d loved attending college on the East Coast, and I enjoy discussing international affairs and visiting museums. Living in the city wasn’t what I’d imagined, though.

I missed the wide expanses of nature and the relaxed work-life vibe I’d experienced in other countries like Italy and Nepal. At DC happy hours, I lost patience with conversations centered on work and yearned to trade my business-casual flats for sneakers.

After three years, I gave up on DC in 2020 when my job became remote. In search of where to live next, I spent at least a month living in several American cities before finding my perfect home.

I fell for New Mexico’s nature and art, but Taos and Santa Fe were too laid-back for me

I headed first to Taos, New Mexico, intrigued by photos I’d seen of mountains and wide swaths of red desert.

The landscape was just as beautiful as I’d seen in pictures, and I delighted in hiking through pine trees and up hills with mountain goats.

The locals I met were friendly, too, and willing to share tips on the best camping spots and background on local history.

Still, with a population under 7,000, I found Taos a little too quiet. On the hunt for more nightlife and excitement, I moved on to Santa Fe — a larger hub and the state’s capital city.

Santa Fe’s beautiful landscape reminded me of the scenery in Taos, and I loved hiking nearby at Picacho Peak and Atalaya Mountain.

I also appreciated the vibrant arts scene. I visited local galleries, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and the Meow Wolf (an immersive art museum with interactive exhibits).

Still, I found myself missing the energy of a larger city, which brought me to Denver.

Denver had pretty much everything I wanted in a city … except my ideal weather

The Colorado city had gorgeous mountains, tons of breweries, and a sporty, outdoorsy culture that appealed to me. It also had a population about eight times the size of Santa Fe’s, which provided that energy I missed in New Mexico.

Plus, I had friends who lived nearby, so it was easy to imagine building a life there.

It was almost the right fit for me. As the November weather grew colder, though, I struggled to breathe during my morning runs in the city’s high altitude.

I also dreaded living through the rest of the snowy Denver winter with little interest in skiing or snowboarding, so I packed my bags and set out for the West Coast.

California won me over, but the traffic in Long Beach wore me down

In Long Beach, California, my dream life of palm trees and beach views became a reality. I also loved Long Beach’s nightlife and diverse culinary scene.

Still, I craved more nature. A miles-long breakwater blocked waves from hitting Long Beach, so I couldn’t surf in the water. I had to drive through dense traffic to get to other beaches and hiking trails in nearby Orange County.

Eventually, driving through overwhelming traffic took away some of the joy of being on the California coast, so I left in search of a city with more accessible nature.

The mix of culture and accessible nature made San Diego my perfect home

I instantly felt at home when I arrived in San Diego, which offered the perfect balance of the calm energy I missed in DC and the bustling city vibe I couldn’t quite find elsewhere. There was so much to do and see, but I still felt relaxed everywhere I went.

Even at the city’s nicest restaurants, I didn’t feel a need to dress up. People in hats and flip-flops sat next to people in formal attire.

Being in San Diego just felt right — it was a place where I could just exist — and I knew I’d found my home.

Four years later, I still smile at the palm trees outside San Diego International Airport every time I land from a trip.

I’m always glad to come home to the city’s chill vibe — but at the same time, because San Diego is home to over a million people, I feel like I’m in a true metropolis.

I get to spend time in nature year-round, and can easily access beaches and trails. Whenever I want, I can go for a run along Mission Beach or hike up Cowles Mountain.

I appreciate the culture here, too. I can enjoy the city’s beaches, museums, and nightlife without feeling pressured to always stay focused on work.

Even now, I’m still finding new restaurants and places to explore, like Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, just an hour away.

I don’t know if I believe in the idea of a “forever home,” but I do know that I’m so glad I moved here.

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