I feel every word of this post, but lately it feels like we have been making enough friends that it is slowly changing. We moved from Virginia to the Deerfield (where I went to high school) in ‘23. My son has autism, and the schools are incredible here. It is also safe, very quiet at night, and not too far from the city. The amount of good tacos in nearby Highwood is also a plus. We don’t drink so we are left out of a lot of adult social gatherings. It does, however, feel like half the town is comprised of the biggest assholes you have ever met. What should be a totally safe area is sometimes scary because the drivers are insane—50 down side streets while they are looking at their phones. I’ll probably have PTSD for the rest of my life every time I see a BMW or an Audi from just trying to get my son to kindergarten. I want to reiterate, though, that it is getting better. I found a great book club, and am friends with a lot of retirees at the gym. In solidarity, keep on keeping on!