After living in the suburbs for two years, I had a revelation – I’m not built for wide open spaces unless they come with live music, street tacos, and a chance encounter with someone from my improv class. I was craving calm, but what I was really craving was connection.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I learned to navigate its unique rhythm. From traffic shortcuts to quirky coffee shops, LA became my home. But when I moved to the suburbs, the silence set in, and I felt like a fish out of water.
The initial charm wore off as the days turned into weeks, and I found myself longing for the city’s energy and texture. Noisy, messy, and beautiful, LA was where I belonged – with its endless possibilities, late-night bookstores, and tiny theaters.
But it wasn’t just the lack of stimulation that got to me; it was the feeling of being fake. The perfectly paved parking lots, beige stucco homes, and drive-thru pharmacies all blended together into a sterile landscape. I missed the weirdos, the chaos, and the sense of community that came with living in LA.
When my partner and I put our house up for sale to return to the city, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. We found a new place to rent in a less desirable neighborhood, but one that still offered all the things that make life worth living – quirky coffee shops, bumpy roads, and a sense of community.
As I look back on my experience in the suburbs, I realize that I was craving connection – not just peace and quiet. LA might be chaotic, but it’s my kind of chaotic. It’s where I find my people, my energy, and my sense of belonging. And for that, I’ll take the traffic, the noise, and the chaos.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/lost-bidding-wars-la-home-moved-to-suburbs-big-mistake-2025-7