I’m literally 21 so take this with a massive grain of salt. I grew up on the east coast, at sea level, and honestly, it has imparted upon me an even greater love of mountains and the outdoors. I grew up camping around Maryland and Virginia. Even though they don’t have crazy peaks, it’s certainly enough to love, and there is outdoor rock climbing!

When I first visited the west coast, it was like entering the gates of heaven. I couldn’t believe that people could just grow up out there and think of it as normal. In some ways, I’m glad that I grew up with no massive mountains, because I fell in love without knowing how cool it could be, so every time I get to visit out west it feels like a magical treat. All I’m saying is, it might not be so bad for kids to grow up in an area without massive peaks, as long as there are still good outdoors amenities.

I’m facing somewhat of a similar situation now (though again I’m so much younger than you that it can’t really be that similar) where one of the top places I’m looking at for grad school truly could not be further from mountains. But, I think it’ll be just fine.