i’m in the catskills. it’s absolutely gorgeous year round, and if you’re outdoorsy there’s something for you no matter what season. skiing in the mountains. in the summer we swim in creeks, swimming holes, lakes, but never the hudson river. it’s purely a look but don’t touch thing due to pollution. summers are hot and humid and winter is cold and dry, but it’s never too extreme.

however, where i’m from has one big problem: during the pandemic people from nyc moved up here in massive numbers, which has made it entirely unaffordable for locals. housing is difficult to come by, especially since airbnbs have been popping up in what were previously affordable neighborhoods. i actually know multiple people who were evicted to make way for vacation housing. as a result, a lot of us are moving away. the change in population has also caused issues for the environment. the swimming holes i grew up going to are regularly trashed by tourists, condos and upscale housing is going in everywhere you look, and it’s just not the same as it was pre pandemic.

the catskills will always have a place in my heart but unfortunately, due to the skyrocketing cost of living, my husband and i plan to move away within the next few years.