Grew up in the Chicago suburbs, then went to school in Troy, NY, then founded a startup in Boston. Now I'm starting to feel like Switzerland is the next destination, and while it feels like a more permanent move than the others, I wonder where I would be if I had not moved at all.
I'd probably be a more stout Christian, my economic class would almost certainly be lower. I'd probably have a lot more friends. Moving has a huge social cost and I've paid it twice. I'd probably be happier in daily life.
But I'd also probably feel like a big fish in a small pond. Like I had let down my potential. If I was in that position, I'd probably regret not leaving for college more than I currently regret leaving.
So I don't actually regret the price I've paid. But I do reflect on it frequently.
Plenty of non-devout or non-religious people in the Chicago suburbs area. Unless you're talking about Wheaton. But even then, there's a few.
Personally I think internet forums had a greater effect on that for me than relocating (I actually moved to the Chicago suburbs about ten years ago).
Definitely agree about the more friends, though. That's a big thing that's making me reluctant to leave, is how many friends I've made here.
The job market here could be a lot better though. Most of the tech jobs are in downtown Chicago, and even then it seems it's mostly in advertising, which I loathe and would rather not work in.
Interesting that you mention the impact moving had on your faith. I moved to Switzerland when I was a teenager and wholly attribute that to my loss of faith.
I'd probably be a more stout Christian, my economic class would almost certainly be lower. I'd probably have a lot more friends. Moving has a huge social cost and I've paid it twice. I'd probably be happier in daily life.
But I'd also probably feel like a big fish in a small pond. Like I had let down my potential. If I was in that position, I'd probably regret not leaving for college more than I currently regret leaving.
So I don't actually regret the price I've paid. But I do reflect on it frequently.