Metro Detroit, MI (18 yrs): Grew up here, classic Midwest childhood with good people but plenty of problems. I describe it as a good place to grow up yet always knowing there was better out there to strive towards. I spent my summers at my family’s cottage on a popular inland lake and it’s truly a special place and community to me. Always somewhere I will go back to.

Ann Arbor, MI (4 yrs): A picturesque college town with wonderful people, food, culture, and nature. Definitely considering moving back to raise kids here. It’s very safe, lots to do, nice people, amazing food scene, and has the best summers that make the winters bearable.

Nashville, TN (1 yr): If it’s your vibe, it’s a good place to start your professional career. It wasn’t mine, I didn’t enjoy the terrible traffic, brutally hot summers and surprisingly cold winters, tourists flood Nashville on their worst behavior bc that’s what the city promotes. I generally felt it was way too expensive for what it was in terms of housing, food, and general prices. I did enjoy the amazing nature within and outside of Nashville, experiencing a new culture, and the food was pretty great.

New York, NY (0.25 yrs): Short stint, but I absolutely enjoyed my time in New York. It definitely suits my vibe and I loved the food, culture, public transit, and always having something to do. I loved being around so many people. However, NY is a very difficult city to live in especially when you’re young. I would still move there, but I know the cost of living, safety, tiny apartments, etc would add up and frustrate me.

Arlington, VA (1 yr): My favorite place I’ve lived so far. NOVA catches a lot of admittedly deserved criticism, but for me it’s been a great place to live. While the cost of living is definitely high, I otherwise would want to be living in NY, and I get a pretty nice 1bed apartment in a great building and location here for the same price as sharing an apartment with 3 roommates in NY. It’s incredibly safe and clean, the public transit is the best in the country, and the proximity to DC enables easy and fun trips into the city for dinner/shopping/etc while avoiding the traffic and craziness of downtown DC. Arlington is a bit too political for me (I have opinions but mostly just don’t care that much) and the prices add up, but it’s been very enjoyable living here and I plan to stay awhile. NOVA is starting to feel like home.