5 Places I'd Rather Live

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

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?!
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23 comments:

  1. I feel your pain! We lived in Dallas in the 90's before moving to the Austin area. You are in my head! As you wrote about Dallas I was nodding the entire time. It is no coincidence you write this in August. Even in Austin I start dreaming of moving up north around late July! In spite of all your vallid complaints, there are days when I am not fighting boob sweat that I love this state....usually in the fall while eating BBQ:)

    Patrice @ dittothatstyle.blogspot.com

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  2. NYC! NYC! It is truly an amazing city and you can never get bored here! Not only can you walk to anything you need, you can do it at any time of the day or night! It is truly magically. I love my city! That's so exciting you are coming in the fall!!

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  3. It's weird, I never would have pegged you as an NYC lover! It is fascinating, isn't it!? And I would LOVE to live in Austin, but the traffic and the home prices keep me away.

    I think you need to get out and explore Dallas just a tad more! Plus, you live in McKinney, which arguably has the best square in the area. It's also a stone's throw away from country living with the conveniences of suburban life at your fingertips. You're a good 30 minutes (or more) from downtown Dallas and the pretention that is Highland Park...and have you heard of White Rock Lake? haha it's gorgeous! I grew up on the Fort Worth side of the metroplex and while I will always think it's better (it is) than Dallas, I've come to find some hidden gems in D-town over the last 4+ years. Look a little harder and maybe you'll find the beauty! :)

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  4. I like them all! lol! We are actually visiting Austin for the first time in September and I can't wait! It will be my first time to Texas! Any must see or must do activities you suggest?

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  5. oh if only there were like 10 of me, so I could split myself between all my favourite cities haha. I have never been to Austin or Napa Valley :)

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  6. OH I LOVE Chicago! It's so fun with so many things to do there. Although I don't know if I could handle their super cold winters and super hot muggy summers...maybe I'll just live there for Spring and Fall?

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  7. I'd personally rather you live in California ;) So we can wine taste anytime we want!

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  8. Oh man, my hubby and I have been having the "where should we move?" conversation for a long time... I love Pittsburgh but I would like to try to get out of this area for a while and try somewhere new....preferably with a beach! haha!

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  9. Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllllllllll... we would welcome you with open arms in Chicago!!!!!

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  10. This is a fun list! Whenever we travel I always think to myself "yeah... I could live here." Glad to see I'm not the only one :)

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  11. Napa sure would be lovely, wouldn't it? So laid back and relaxed. *Sigh*

    My husband and I work in the music business, so if we want to stay in our industry, our only options are Nashville (where we currently are and will hopefully always be), New York, or L.A. But I think we both dream of a second home in Jamestown or Newport, RI. *another sigh* :)

    -Ash
    www.thenashvillianblog.com

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  12. Hate Dallas/Fort Worth. My family lives close to Amarillo so I would love to live up there or Tennessee area.

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  13. I am right there with you with these! Napa Valley would be top of my list. All of that wine? Yes please!

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  14. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE Austin. I lived there for three years and sometimes I wish I never moved back.

    I know what you mean about Dallas. When I visit, I am always reminded that status is the most important thing.

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  15. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to live in NYC or Boston, but like you, my husband flat our refuses. I am fortunate enough to live about an hour and half from Napa and I went to school at Sonoma State University. I miss living there and would definitely consider moving back!

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  16. Great choices! Prior to moving to Dallas, the 5 places to live on my list were (in no particular order) Dallas, Austin, NYC, Boston, or back home near New Orleans. Obviously Dallas won, but it took two years living up north to decide. If it makes you feel better, I'll tell you this. NYC and Boston aren't for everyone. Two years ago when I moved up there, I was dead set on moving to either of the two cities after finishing grad school. After living an hour and a half away and frequenting both cities more times than I'd like to count, I couldn't wait to get the hell out (so here I am!) Don't get me wrong, it's great and all and completely different than anything you will ever know in Texas, but it's different and after a while, doesn't seem so glamorous once you get comfortable with it. But hey, everyones different and you could love it! I just thought I'd share my two cents so you're not living everyday in Dallas wondering "what if" like I was doing prior to moving!

    Now as for Dallas, I haven't even been here for two months yet, but definitely see what you're saying about the status bs. I don't hate it here, but I sometimes wish I would've visited Austin before choosing Dallas, but oh well! I just want to get used to the area and have a place finally feel like home! I feel like I will never learn this crazy big city and if there's one thing I hate, it's the traffic!

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  17. Awesome choices!! I loved living in NYC and love living near it now! There really is no place else like it! My husband is from Boston and we go back a lot! It's an awesome city!! I do have a soft spot for Dallas though :)

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  18. What fabulous options! I dream of living in NYC, too. :)

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  19. You guys have to visit Chicago (if you don't plan to move lol)! If you guys do, let me know- I'd love to do a "blogger meet up" in real life! :-)

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  20. Definitely agree with NYC! Dallas, Houston, Nashville or Milwaukee round out my top 5, with Chicago and Minneapolis getting honorary mentions!

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  21. Oh girl, I feel your pain, but you are probably the only Texan I know who actually is not happy in Dallas. I'm from the east coast, and I'm DYING to get back there, I'm literally depressed here, and I know a lot of people who feel the same. It doesn't help that I live in the worst city for snotty, keep-up-with-the-joneses, I'm better because I'm live in a bigger house than you place. I've told my hubby we have one year left before we can actually move, because my son will start high school next year. That's another thing, it makes me very sad to have my children grow up in a place like this :(. If I had no kids, NYC would be for me too...girl, do it now before you have them.

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  22. I love where I live too, but I do dream of living in NYC someday!

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  23. I am 100% with you on Austin. I am totally in love and really hope to move there within the next 4 years. Crazy that he loves Chicago, it is my least favorite city so far.

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