I remember I once wanted to live in San Diego. But that was more than a decade ago before I started traveling internationally. The reasons to live there (beaches, nice weather, laid back lifestyle) became less appealing when I could enjoy those features in other places around the world for a fraction of a price.
What are some of the other places around the world you’re considering?
Yeah, I guess I've come to a similar conclusion. I'm heading to Spain in May and planning to apply for a long-term visa. If that works out, Valencia will be my new home base.
Nice! Spain is great. Heard great things about Valencia. Talked with a visa consultant there as well who were pretty helpful/ knowledgable - Bureacracy.es. This video might be helpful for you if you're still doing your due diligence. They're based in Valencia. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1_bg303NY8
Emily, I really admire your keen sense of adventure. As someone who is kind of (okay, *extremely*) averse to any kind of change, your willingness to explore the world – and, by extension, open up so many new avenues within yourself – is commendable. My guess is that you wouldn't have realized that relocating back to the States wasn't in the cards *unless* you were willing to move to San Diego. When you're my age (I'd fit in nicely with the elderly volleyball players at OB), "What if...?" will not be in your vocabulary. I really admire your joyful risk taking, and I'm curious about the Big News for 2025.
Were you always averse to change, or is that something that became cemented as you got older? My parents are very much the same, and I'm always curious about this divide.
I actually wonder if its more the generational gap than an age thing (if that makes sense). These days, Google Maps, translation apps, Uber, global cell phone coverage, delivery apps, etc. — they make traveling internationally SO easy (or depending how you look at it, take the fun out of it). Sure, my parents use most of these tools too, but they aren't nearly as comfortable with them as your average 30-something.
I guess what I'm saying is that travel and big life changes feel a lot less 'scary' and are far more convenient than they were even 15 years ago. While I really appreciate your kind words about my courage, I think that shift plays a huge role.
That's a good question, Emily. I'm pretty sure I've always been averse to change since I was a little kid; I've always been fearful of what I know and what I don't; this is a subject I've been looking at, in one way or another, since I began writing on Write Hearted and Substack. And it's a theme I'll likely explore quite a bit moving forward. I really admire your willingness to go for it and see the world. You have a much richer life for it. :)
Cool timing for this post. We were just down there last weekend for a gymnastics meet. We were there for 8 hours tops and it was noticeable how much more leisurely the pace was compared to LA, which I don’t even consider to be that bad. When I first moved to CA, I spent a few weekends down in San Diego, in that PB/OB area. Some easy living down there - then the bill comes - and it’s a reminder, California sunshine tax exists there too. 🤷♂️
I love that your daughter (right?) does gymnastics! I can't remember if we've chatted about this, but gymnastics was my LIFE until I graduated college. In fact, one of my favorite posts is partially about it, if you want to read it. It's an oldie but a goodie: https://www.extracurricularpursuits.com/p/next-thing
That is a great one! I thought I remembered right (this time I did!) that we had talked about how you did competitive gymnastics, briefly in a WoP breakout room iirc. I did not realize how it impacted you when it was over. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve got a bunch of questions- I’ll shoot you a note. Sincere thanks for linking this one!
San Diego is great for a reset between travels. I lived there for ~20 years (part of elementary & middle school, then college and my 20s- early 30s) and am fortunate that my parents are still there so I can stay with them whenever I return. On the one hand, I love how “easy” life is…On the other, I get tired of it. I need more challenge and adventure (that doesn’t include figuring out how to pay the bills!), so I’ve decided that life abroad is still the life for me. One day that might change, but for now, I’m happy in Europe.
Totally fair, I think many of us share the same sentiment about the place we grew up. One day this entire post might change for me too — that's the beauty of being open to change 🙂
You article is at base a look at how we often narrow down our choices to much smaller sliver of options than are actually available. We get to design lives that are really outside of any previously known box. Like making friends with people who are in their 60s! : )
Your self-awareness is quite impressive. And, want to bet that the price of that bottle of detergent now hovers near $30 (aka, things are even worse?)
It was Tide, in a CVS, in Ocean Beach. I should have known. Long story short, I didn't buy it.
I remember I once wanted to live in San Diego. But that was more than a decade ago before I started traveling internationally. The reasons to live there (beaches, nice weather, laid back lifestyle) became less appealing when I could enjoy those features in other places around the world for a fraction of a price.
What are some of the other places around the world you’re considering?
Yeah, I guess I've come to a similar conclusion. I'm heading to Spain in May and planning to apply for a long-term visa. If that works out, Valencia will be my new home base.
Nice! Spain is great. Heard great things about Valencia. Talked with a visa consultant there as well who were pretty helpful/ knowledgable - Bureacracy.es. This video might be helpful for you if you're still doing your due diligence. They're based in Valencia. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1_bg303NY8
Emily, I really admire your keen sense of adventure. As someone who is kind of (okay, *extremely*) averse to any kind of change, your willingness to explore the world – and, by extension, open up so many new avenues within yourself – is commendable. My guess is that you wouldn't have realized that relocating back to the States wasn't in the cards *unless* you were willing to move to San Diego. When you're my age (I'd fit in nicely with the elderly volleyball players at OB), "What if...?" will not be in your vocabulary. I really admire your joyful risk taking, and I'm curious about the Big News for 2025.
Were you always averse to change, or is that something that became cemented as you got older? My parents are very much the same, and I'm always curious about this divide.
I actually wonder if its more the generational gap than an age thing (if that makes sense). These days, Google Maps, translation apps, Uber, global cell phone coverage, delivery apps, etc. — they make traveling internationally SO easy (or depending how you look at it, take the fun out of it). Sure, my parents use most of these tools too, but they aren't nearly as comfortable with them as your average 30-something.
I guess what I'm saying is that travel and big life changes feel a lot less 'scary' and are far more convenient than they were even 15 years ago. While I really appreciate your kind words about my courage, I think that shift plays a huge role.
That's a good question, Emily. I'm pretty sure I've always been averse to change since I was a little kid; I've always been fearful of what I know and what I don't; this is a subject I've been looking at, in one way or another, since I began writing on Write Hearted and Substack. And it's a theme I'll likely explore quite a bit moving forward. I really admire your willingness to go for it and see the world. You have a much richer life for it. :)
Cool timing for this post. We were just down there last weekend for a gymnastics meet. We were there for 8 hours tops and it was noticeable how much more leisurely the pace was compared to LA, which I don’t even consider to be that bad. When I first moved to CA, I spent a few weekends down in San Diego, in that PB/OB area. Some easy living down there - then the bill comes - and it’s a reminder, California sunshine tax exists there too. 🤷♂️
I love that your daughter (right?) does gymnastics! I can't remember if we've chatted about this, but gymnastics was my LIFE until I graduated college. In fact, one of my favorite posts is partially about it, if you want to read it. It's an oldie but a goodie: https://www.extracurricularpursuits.com/p/next-thing
That is a great one! I thought I remembered right (this time I did!) that we had talked about how you did competitive gymnastics, briefly in a WoP breakout room iirc. I did not realize how it impacted you when it was over. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve got a bunch of questions- I’ll shoot you a note. Sincere thanks for linking this one!
This is interesting to read! Thank youfor sharing - I have never been to San Diego and wanted to. Wonder if I will have a similar experience :)
San Diego is great for a reset between travels. I lived there for ~20 years (part of elementary & middle school, then college and my 20s- early 30s) and am fortunate that my parents are still there so I can stay with them whenever I return. On the one hand, I love how “easy” life is…On the other, I get tired of it. I need more challenge and adventure (that doesn’t include figuring out how to pay the bills!), so I’ve decided that life abroad is still the life for me. One day that might change, but for now, I’m happy in Europe.
Totally fair, I think many of us share the same sentiment about the place we grew up. One day this entire post might change for me too — that's the beauty of being open to change 🙂
Couldn’t agree more💛
You article is at base a look at how we often narrow down our choices to much smaller sliver of options than are actually available. We get to design lives that are really outside of any previously known box. Like making friends with people who are in their 60s! : )