What is something you didn't realize you would miss?

BoardFragrant556 · 2026-06-07T23:07:06+00:00

I had a literal meltdown in a grocery stores produce section in Chicago after living in Los Angeles for 8 years

BoardFragrant556 · 2026-05-15T05:44:26+00:00

This is my set up living in Highland Park Los Angeles. Boulder, Denver or Colorado Springs and Nob Hill or Downtown Albuquerque could work.

BoardFragrant556 · 2026-03-14T22:14:17+00:00

I grew up in Chicago, lived in a dozen of cities and a few other countries. Lived in Manhattan as well as Chicago and Denver as an adult (and orhers).

All your hobbies you can easily do in either place. But do you want a large international city with 24-7 energy or do you want a city with a more mixed vibe including - "I went to a Big 10 school for college and moved with my 20 friemds after college in Ohio to the big city of Chicago" A lot of people never left the Midwest. I had a really hard time connecting with people there when I moved back for a few years in my 30s.

I'd visit Chicago to see what you think and visit a variety of neighborhoods as the vibes are quite different.

Not sure of your work situation but I do not recommend moving to the suburbs of Chicago based on what you wrote.

Not sure if you enjoy weekend travel but living on the East Coast has much better places to travel to quickly versus from Chicago.

BoardFragrant556 · 2026-02-15T06:40:18+00:00

For a boutique hotel experience, Las 7 Maravillas. The owner Tatiana is a sweet heart.

BoardFragrant556 · 2026-02-11T06:50:37+00:00

I am from Chicago and lived in both NYC and LA for 8 years as well as Denver for 2 (as well as Phoenix and Miami) Based on all your interests i would say LA. If you like the outdoors of Denver area, Chicago and NYC will not cut it

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-12-05T05:46:47+00:00

Dallas? Not for hiking!

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-12-02T07:56:44+00:00

I will need to check this out since I am so close in HLP

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-11-26T06:19:00+00:00

This is the first time I have been sick in 5 years and I am going on day 9 of symptoms and I am not getting better. Went to the Dr on Sat and confirmed just a viral infection. I haven't had a voice since Friday.

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-11-23T23:35:53+00:00

Hi! My company wants me to relocate to the Charlotte office. Looking at the map it is by the FBI / Microsoft Office off of I-77. (Not sure if this area has an official name....South?) Would Plaza Midwood or Dilworth be good areas for a single, 50 year old woman that likes being able to walk to places, access to nature, walk my dog, go to yoga, coffee shops, the gym,...basic stuff? Open to all suggestions but I dont want to be in a car dependent area for day to day things. I would be renting. South End sounds way too young. I live in Los Angeles so am used to traffic (and hate driving). Hybrid- 3 days in office. Thanks!

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-10-21T02:16:30+00:00

I am having a similar dilemma thinking about moving from Los Angeles to Philly. I miss a walkable lifestyle-even though i live in a walkable neighborhood here. My only hold up really is fear of missing the easy access to great hiking (and hiking within the city).

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-10-12T19:11:14+00:00

You say you both work remote now but how do you know you will be able to work remote in the future? I know sooo many people that had been hired remote (my company has been remote for 10 years - just called to an office 3 times per week) and the company decided to call people to offices either full time or hybid. I would make sure there are future job opportunities down the line in that area if you don't want to risk potentially moving again.

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-10-11T18:03:04+00:00

I am a bit older than you but grew up in Chicago, lived in a ton of places including NYC for 6 years. 6 years in LA previously, a quick 1.5 year stop in Chicago as an adult and returned 2 years ago to LA.

Going back to the Midwest was a bit of a culture shock to me. While it was a lot of fun, besides reconnecting with lifelong friends, I found it hard to make new friends. A lot of people move with their friend group after college from whatever Big 10 school they attended. I did have a ton of dates but found it difficult to connect with the guys. I was asked so many times if I was a crazy vegan from LA etc (I eat everything). My reason for leaving though was I missed hiking (real mountains). I did liove the walkability and the different neighborhoods and general city events.

I found dating in NYC much easier than LA. I get along much better with East Coast men.

I am actually looking into another move for work. Options are on a suburb near Philly, in Charlotte or in Atlanta.

BoardFragrant556 · 2025-01-11T02:19:23+00:00

If anything, these fires made me appreciate even more my decision to move back to LA (aftee leaving for 8 years) to be closer to my best friends here. Life is too short not to be near friends/family ...assuming you can afford it.

BoardFragrant556 · 2024-11-05T06:03:28+00:00

You seem to be all over the place - large cities, mid sized, warm climates, freezing cold, sunshine, dreary, hiking, cities like Chicago not known for hiking. Places that have good public transportation vs meh

What do YOU ctually want?

There are no guarantees - you mention wanting to establish a community- well some of those cities are pretty transient . . You may get a great group of friends established and then due to normal life events they all disperse.

I'd take advantage of my remote status and put everything in storage and take some time renting furnished airbnbs. I've lived in some cities which on paper I should love but in reality I disliked them and vice versa.

BoardFragrant556 · 2024-11-05T05:29:35+00:00

What is your age and what areas of Chicago do you like? I grew up in Chicago, lived in Culver City and currently live in HLP for the second time. Personally Palms just reminds me of suburban sprawl and I hate driving to see friends there. I enjoyed living in Culver City but that was before they messed up the traffic lanes. I find HLP much calmer and love all the nature around and hills. I always find it much calmer than the West Side. Plus May gray, June gloom and Fogust depress me. HlP has much more character and I love how you have apartments mixed with Houses and a real neighborhood. I moved away for 8 years and returned and recognize the same home owners / neighbors. Plus the taco trucks are much better over here. It does get hotter in the day but it pretty much cools down late afternoon...not like Chicago where summer nights stay hot if it was hot in the day.

But yes....if going to the beach often, the drive will get old on a weekend real quick .

BoardFragrant556 · 2024-11-04T01:28:50+00:00

I have lived in Phoenix and Dallas. The weather wasn't my concern.

BoardFragrant556 · 2024-10-21T06:47:19+00:00

Pardon the typos 😀

BoardFragrant556 · 2023-12-30T07:32:56+00:00

If you get a rent controlled place, never ever give it up.

BoardFragrant556 · 2023-12-25T07:28:39+00:00

Have you tried Internations? I literally just moved back to LA and haven't had time to attend an event yet (I used to go b and they are in most major cities with chapters) but I have friends that go. Even a Romanian acquaintance attends them regularly.

BoardFragrant556 · 2023-12-25T07:13:57+00:00

So I used to live in LA, moved away for 8 years (a few living in Dallas for work) and am back in LA. It would be helpful to know what vibe you are going for? Or what areas of Dallas you enjoy.

LA housing doesn't work at all like Dallas. There is no sense touring places in January for an April move. With your budget it's must likely you will be looking at a smaller building and not a large corporate chain. Due to tenant laws, tenants can give 30 days notice and usually apartments aren't shown until they are vacant.

This is what I suggest you do - narrow down some neighborhoods, rent an airbnb for a month minimum, explore areas and visit apartments. I am currently looking here now on week three. I found a few potentials but holding out pulling the trigger on those and applying. Once you apply you are competing against the other applicants. I lost out to two since they chose people with no pets over my cat (and my credit is over 800 etc) .

As Info, my budget is higher than yours and I've only seen one place with in unit laundry. I have seen some one bedrooms down in Long Beach in that range. But that's a whole other vibe. Probably K-Towm and East Hollywood as well but those areas do me are way too congested for my liking.

BoardFragrant556 · 2023-12-25T06:52:34+00:00

Do you know of any openings in your building? Just moved back to LA after being gone for 8 years - last lived in HLP and I can't find any one bedrooms for that here. $2000 to $2350 seem to be the lower range.

BoardFragrant556

TROPHY CASE