Four Cities I love
I’ve done a lot of traveling. Every star on this screenshot is somewhere I’ve been.
From sea to shining sea.
I’ve been to almost every major city and national park in over 25 states. I used to live in the back of my Honda Element on two folded up memory foam mattress toppers (I showered every few days).
Here are four cities that I would love to move to:
Tucson
Art haven of the desert, hidden gem of culture and music, Tucson is at the tippy top of my list of favorite places. As they say, the summer is nice in Tucson, and the other two months aren’t bad either.
Tucson is billed as a great place for people with allergies, and other body pain, and it’s true. My allergies all but disappeared in the desert heat. But there’s something else about the desert, something magical, something spiritual, that can’t really be defined.
When the tallest growing thing for miles around is a cactus, you know you’re in a special place. Daytime was pretty droll, as most people don’t want to be out in the scorching heat if they can avoid it. But at night the place really comes alive.
It isn’t uncommon to see a coyote or a huge lizard slinking around, but it’s really the cultural emphasis on exploring the self that appealed to me most. Art collectibles abound and only the blue collar rural-ites will bat an eye at your freedom of expression. Tucson is an art town and I loved it.
Seattle
With its proximity to Canada, friendly people, fresh green environment, lakes, ocean, plentiful careers, and magnificent museums, Seattle is a serious contender for “Place to Raise Your Kids.”
I thoroughly enjoyed driving in Seattle. People in my home state of California are…not the best drivers. In Seattle, people use their turn signals, check their blind spots, and are remarkably conscientious when letting you merge.
I’ve heard that the weather keeps most people in a long-term funk, and when there is nice weather, people come out in droves. That might have been the time I experienced, because everyone I met was happy and kind.
I could’ve had an uncommon experience. But I really loved Seattle, and can’t wait to go back and explore more.
Austin
Maaaan, Austin is great. Think the South is too hot? Or the people there are closed-minded? Think again.
Nestled in the middle of Texas this left-leaning town really is a rare jewel.
You won’t find the locals running around downtown in the middle of the day; almost everyone who can swim is dunked deep in the river that flows right through the middle of the city. Couple that with excellent music, a rad nightlife, world-class film festivals and an accelerating economy and boy, that’s one cool capitol.
Austin is an uncommonly open place and you can probably find what you’re looking for.
Unless what you’re looking for is snow.
I had a blast in Austin exploring the river, the downtown businesses, and eating some at of the best Mexican food trucks I’ve ever experienced. We explored some of the more unconventional parts of Austin due to Atlas Obscura’s awesome recommendations. I will absolutely be back to explore more.
Rochester
Rochester gets a bad rep. Yes, it’s cold there. Yes, there’s some gentrification going on. But I’ve been to few places with as much character hidden just beneath the surface.
There is a remarkable art scene, with an awesome amount of educational opportunities for everything from medicine to creative writing. It’s home to the George Eastman museum and the birthplace of personal photography; Kodak began in Rochester.
People on the east coast get a bad rep too. You’ll hear people say they’re rude, and mean. And…they are. But if they’re being rude to you, you might have deserved it.
People on the West coast take extra time to be overly polite. East coast people don’t have time for that.
If you’re honest and sincere, you will be surprised by how open and helpful people are. But if you try to deceive, god help you. The best part of Eastern living is that you don’t have to infer how someone feels about you-they’ll tell you right to your face.
I do love Rochester, and I could see myself returning here someday, just to see how bad the winters really get.
Conclusion
Every one of these cities has something to offer you won’t find anywhere else. If you were looking for a reason to book a flight, here’s your sign.
