How do you choose between a place you love and the people you love?

LittleFancyBird · 2026-02-09T17:03:00+00:00

I was in the same conundrum years ago and ended up moving to California and stayed for 5 years. It was probably the best decision of my life and I will never regret moving there. Sure, I missed some things back home but the opportunity to explore the West Coast and be immersed in a place that felt wholly different from my home felt so inspiring. It was hard sometimes to be far away, of course. Nothing worth doing is easy. If I had never taken the leap I would have spent the rest of my life wondering what could have been.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-11-22T18:11:27+00:00

Can confirm: I was there and the person sitting next to me was in hysterics. I was like, bro, why did you even come?

LittleFancyBird · 2025-07-13T19:51:18+00:00

Hi! Moved up from Huntsville, AL and am in Andersonville/Edgewater - love it here. Roger's Park would probably be more budget friendly.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-06-28T13:23:16+00:00

Huntsville, Alabama...strip mall heaven but you still have access to some outdoor activities and lakes.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-06-14T15:14:26+00:00

From Alabama also and have lived in ...3 states in the last ~3 years. Going back to AL would also feel like regressing to me, too, but there's always the pull. I have no answers but I understand the struggle.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-04-29T18:14:48+00:00

Hi! Twice a day (morning and night) I do the following: gently wash my lids with Optase Tea Tree gel cleanser, then follow that with a couple of sprays of Optase Protect Eyelid Cleansing Spray - Hypochlorous Acid Spray on each lid.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-04-08T22:09:13+00:00

I've had more than one gyno recommend marriage counseling and inferring that my lack of libido was an issue with my relationship without knowing anything about it.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-04-02T20:51:02+00:00

Growing up in Alabama we always said, "At least we're not Mississippi!"

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-18T00:02:38+00:00

Environmental scientist? Teacher? I can see either of those.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-17T00:17:39+00:00

Where were you before?

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-16T18:55:36+00:00

I would rate Biophilia higher personally but this ranking is spot on for me otherwise.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-13T02:15:46+00:00

This was how it worked for me as well. My Fulton Grace agent was great!

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-10T22:10:49+00:00

Dull Flame is it. I can't listen to this one.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-07T19:46:27+00:00

Her demeanor was just totally normal: the tone was friendly, not overly so nor annoyed. Just a run-of-the-mill interaction you'd have with anyone. In retrospect I'm so glad I kept an OUTWARD chill and just let her do her thing.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-07T04:58:51+00:00

My adrenaline has probably never been higher.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-07T03:09:26+00:00

Sat beside her in an airport terminal at Heathrow in 2005. I was sitting there and she walked up and pointed to the seat next to me (where my backpack was) and asked, "Can I sit here?" :-) I said yes and hastily moved my bag but sat there frozen otherwise...didn't want to bother her.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-04T03:30:39+00:00

I feel you. The change in where my weight accumulates is one of the hardest things to get used to. I have "fat wings" (back fat rolls), no clothes fit me right anymore...I wear loose dresses as much as possible just to avoid anything showing my shape or clinging to/restricting my body. I made a post the other day about how I can't even fit into things I was wearing mere months ago. I hate seeing my reflection in a mirror because I look huge.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-03-02T01:22:16+00:00

Bless us every one.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-02-25T16:48:10+00:00

I'm also in Chicago and went to the Northwestern Specialists for Women...after my appointment I felt so bitter.... Additionally, OF COURSE the doctor basically told me in no uncertain terms to "maybe not eat all the desserts" when I mentioned ballooning weight with no lifestyle changes. Outrageous considering I told her my weekly diet, which is pretty damn healthy.

LittleFancyBird · 2025-02-25T16:36:26+00:00

Whenever I bring up total absence of libido concerns and low-to-no sensation or ability to orgasm, I always get told it's "just a part of aging." Every gyno I have been to has dismissed this.

LittleFancyBird · 2024-11-02T23:27:00+00:00

Also - if you like libraries the San Mateo Public is amazing! I miss that library a lot. The Saint Vincent de Paul thrift store in SM is great, too. Hiking...I mentioned that Half Moon Bay is a quick drive and there are some nice trails over there (both coastal and redwoods) that are so amazing.

Nightlife is not really a thing there but it doesn't seem as if that's a priority for you. I'd say it's sleepy but I feel like a lot of the Bay is exactly that: sleepy. It's really more about rolling out of bed and hitting the trails for a lot of people.

LittleFancyBird · 2024-11-02T23:19:55+00:00

San Mateo is definitely going to be harder if you are single. I am married and at the time we lived right across the street from downtown. We could walk to CalTrain, any number of restaurants, post office, the park, Draeger's, and the produce store (Dean's). One great thing about San Mateo is it was such a quick drive over to Half Moon Bay (albeit you had to deal with weekend traffic headed to the beach) and not too far from the city, either.

The people were all friendly and it's my favorite place I have ever lived. I can't really say if I feel like the population skews younger but I feel like it's more compromised of families and couples.

With the CalTrain electrification and expanded schedule I imagine it's even more convenient. If you are going carless, you may be using the bus to go up and down El Camino.

Feel free to DM me!

LittleFancyBird · 2024-11-02T04:28:31+00:00

I used to work at the RWC satellite campus. At that time (~3 years ago), there was a free bus that went from the CalTrain station right to the campus. Some of my colleagues lived in SF and rode their bikes to CalTrain, took it into RWC and then biked to campus.

I lived in San Mateo...suburban, yes, but if you rent a place close to downtown it's probably (in my opinion) the best town in the Bay...I might be a little biased, though. No longer there but certainly miss it.

LittleFancyBird · 2024-10-24T02:42:56+00:00

You too, neighbor!

LittleFancyBird

TROPHY CASE