What I Learned After Leaving My Dream City for a Place I’d Never Heard Of — And Finding Real Happiness

What I Learned After Leaving My Dream City for a Place I’d Never Heard Of — And Finding Real Happiness

As vividly as the sound of the rain that morning—slow, heavy, and oddly forgiving—I recall the day I left my ideal city. Portland was artistic, vibrant, and full of promise—everything I had once thought I wanted. However, I came to the realization that the city was subtly consuming me after years of forcing myself to fit its rhythm. My joy turned into a part-time guest, the rent continued to rise, and the friendships continued to wane. Half-conv…