As someone who moved around so much growing up, I have struggled to define what ‘home’ means. Ever since I was young, I have rarely lived in the same home for more than a couple of years. Before the age of 14, I moved over eight times, including a big cross-country move from Pennsylvania to California.
This trend has continued to this day. Now that I think about it, the apartment I live in currently is the longest I have lived in a single spot (close to 5 years). But even that is going to change soon.
California has been my home for the past twenty years, which is wild to say. I moved here with my Mum when I was 14, and I still remember how excited I was to move and experience a new place.
When we came out here, we lived in Carmel, and from there, we moved to Big Sur and eventually Carmel Valley. I stayed in California for college and moved to San Francisco. After college, I moved back to Carmel for a short stint and then worked my way down to San Diego. I’m fortunate to have experienced living in north, central, and southern California.
This year marks living in San Diego for 8 years, and I, strangely enough, feel that I’m ready to try something new.
Something new is also familiar because Celeste and I are moving back to Philadelphia. If you’re raising your eyebrows at this, I get it. Often, when I tell people that I am moving from San Diego to Philly, I get the same reaction: “Why?”
Without context, that is a perfectly valid question because it’s hard to justify leaving one of the most beautiful places in the world. But to us, it makes sense (even if I had to do a lot of convincing for Celeste). Our families are there, we know the area well, and we have friends there. Also, compared to California, the cost of living is a lot more affordable.
We have also made so many milestone memories in Philly. We got engaged, married, and most recently bought a house there!
I haven’t lived near family in more than ten years, and seeing them more than a couple of times a year will be amazing. I’m excited to be closer to my nephew as he starts high school and near my in-laws, who are retiring soon. As I get older, I realize I crave spending time with family more than anything else.
It will be quite the adjustment, and we still have plenty to figure out, but I’m happy, and this decision feels right.
Go birds.
Thank you for reading,
Max
"As I get older, I realize I crave spending time with family more than anything else." - being around the people you love is a good way to live a rich life.
Oh, that's wonderful!
I moved from Italy to London (UK) when I was 18 years old and back then I was super excited and don't get me wrong, I have the same excitement...
But, you know, my family back in Italy is getting older, I have a niece now and thinking of her makes me cry as I'm unable to engage with her whenever I want.
There is no option for me, right now, to move back in my hometown unfortunately.
Maybe one day I'll be on my way home too...
All the best my friend.