For this post, I wanted to talk about living in the city versus living in the suburbs, which is where I am originally from.
Where I Grew Up
I grew up in Horsham, Pennsylvania, a relatively large town outside of Philadelphia. I was lucky to grow up in a decently sized house with a very nice backyard and a lot of grass.
Over the years, my parents added a patio, upgraded the deck, and set up fire pits and a grill. Growing up, I was always playing sports, but now as an adult, I realize how much I miss having those kinds of amenities after spending the past few years in the city.
Life in the City
After school, I lived in Manayunk, and honestly I preferred it over living in Philadelphia. But my girlfriend lives in Philadelphia, so it made sense for me to move here.
My building is really nice. I just moved into One Thousand and One, and it is a great building. It has a nice pool, the gym is top-tier, and everything is brand new. The people have been nice so far, but time will tell once summer gets going.
Overall, I cannot complain, but I do miss grass and being able to sit outside and just be in nature.
What I Miss Most
One of my favorite things growing up with my friends, my dad, my brother, and even my college buddies was going fishing, hiking, backpacking, and camping. I am lucky if I can go backpacking once a year now, and it is still one of my favorite things to do.
I do not even keep my gear with me in Philadelphia. I have to drive all the way to my parents’ house to pick it up, which is becoming an annoyance because it is about an hour and 15 minutes with traffic.
I miss the simple things too, like watching the Phillies on the back porch with my dad while grilling burgers, steak, and veggies. You really cannot beat that.
Looking Ahead
I moved to Manayunk in 2022, and I have been in this area ever since. Once my lease ends, there is not really a lot stopping me from moving.
I obviously have a lot of friends in the city, and my girlfriend does too. But what I miss most is having space: walking my dog, taking him to a park, throwing the ball around, and just relaxing where things are quieter.
The hectic parts of city life are what wear on me most: traffic and parking. The nightlife and friendships are great, and that part of city life is fantastic, but it comes at a cost.
I still do not know where I will end up long-term, but right now I am definitely leaning back toward the suburbs. Time will tell.