5 Places I'd Rather Live

Don't get me wrong, I love my life and the town I live in. But, I would be lying if I said I didn't have dreams of ditching the Dallas area in search for a change of scenery.  There is nothing really pretty about Dallas. It is hot, you're always in traffic, there is no good public transportation, and it is full of fake millionaires. Everyone drives a BMW; the rich, the poor, the wanna-be rich, and the actual poor. It is all about status and it can be exhausting.  A conversation I had with our family recently got me thinking. If I could live anywhere else, where would it be? Here are my top 5 picks:

NYC, August 2011

NYC, June 2009

1. New York City. I would drop my life (besides Chris and the dogs, duh) in a second to be able to live in NYC. I ask Chris all the time if we can have a one-year long distance marriage while I live in NYC and he stays here in Texas...because he hates NYC. He gives me a side-eye, but I haven't ever got a firm "no", so I am still working on him! I told him we could rack up airline miles and see each other every week...I got another side-eye. Hmph!  The hustle and bustle of the city is magical. The idea that you can walk out of your apartment and have so many things at your fingertips is fascinating to me. Literally I am sitting here with a huge grin on my face just thinking about it! Here in Texas it takes for-ev-errrr to get anywhere, and you have to drive, blah. In NYC you can walk or take the subway. Ahhh it gets me so excited just thinking about that city. We are going in November and words can't describe how excited I am!! It will be my third time and I shed a tear every time I leave. It is my version of heaven on earth and my #1 vacation spot hands down. I don't need a beach, just NYC!

Boston, January 2013

2. Boston. Like NYC, the convenience of having everything at your fingertips is indescribable. The town history, culture, and beauty is unmatched. Boston is a little more laid back than NYC, but I wouldn't mind snowy winters and warm summers if that got me out of Dallas.

Napa, June 2014

3. Napa Valley. This place is like a fairy tale. It is like something out of a book and I am still in awe when I think about it. When we went in June all I could think was, "People actually call this place home....like, they get up everyday, look out their window, and see this." For instance, we went to a tasting room and the guy there said he had grown up in Napa and still lives there with his wife and kids. He serves wine to people everyday. As in, he wakes up, and has the best job in the world (second to teaching) everyday. Driving down the main street in Napa can make anyone smile from ear to ear. It is gorgeous, people, absolutely gorgeous. 4. Austin. Growing up outside of Austin was something I never appreciated until I got stuck in this concrete jungle of Dallas. We always took weekend trips to Dallas to see the Rangers and go to Hurricane Harbor and I thought it was the coolest. Now I am thinking, "Why would I choose Dallas over Austin as my home?!" Oh, because that is where we got jobs...that's right. There is something special about Austin. Anyone who has ever been to there wants to go back, or move there, and I don't blame them one bit. It is such a laid back, active city. You can't tell the rich from the poor and everyone is so friendly (something that is rare in Dallas). Town Lake (or Lady Bird Lake, as it is now called) is where it's at. Paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing...with the Austin skyline as your view, yes please. Where is the lake in Dallas? Oh wait, there isn't one. Sometimes I kick myself for not pushing harder to try and get jobs there, but God led us a different direction for now and Austin is only a short drive away. 5. Chicago. This one is on the list because it is Chris's favorite city. He says all the time that he would love the live there and I ask why we don't, and he never has a good answer. Then I have to remind us that he loves, LOVES his job and that is something that is hard to come by these days. I still have yet to visit this wonderful city, but if Chris loves it, it has got to be good. Plus, we did name our dog Wrigley, so we are basically Chicago residents by default, right?  But for now, we are called to be here in Texas. Chris has his dream job that continues to bless our family. I have my dream job that I wouldn't trade for anything. Our families are here and our friends are here, but I always think that every destination is just a plane ride away. For now, plane rides and vacations will have to satisfy my craving to get out of Texas. Where would you live if you could live anywhere?!