Have you found happiness simply by moving out of state?

I lived in one state that I was more than happy to leave. It’s been much better in my new place. And I never want to go back either.

My girlfriend moved from Colorado to California last week. But she wasn’t moving away from something, she was moving to a new job.

It really depends on the motivation for moving. If you are moving because you just can’t take another Minnesota Winter, or you can’t take another Florida summer, or you need mountains instead of miles of flatlands, a move can be beneficial.

But if you are moving because of some innate problems, you can move thousands of miles and you have brought all your problems along with you.

The grass is not always greener on the other side. I agree with @zenvelo – if there are underlying issues, then simple relocation isn’t going to solve them.

I would pose the question this way: Are you moving away from something, or are you moving to somewhere else?

The way you answer that tells a big story of your attitude and your likelihood of happiness.

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. If you use the move as part of other changes in your life, it can help. But as others have said, if you think you can run away from your problems by simply moving, it won’t work.

Happiness? I dunno. But I have found myself at lot more at peace since moving to the opposite end of the state and away from my family and relatives (not to mention the stifling small town atmosphere I grew up in).

I could certainly live in another state, like Florida or Washington, where the scenery is breathtaking. It would be so cool to see that every day.
However, there is no scenery in the entire world that would even compare to the breathtaking moment when I see my grandkids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was going to say no, but if think about going up into the Adirondacks all my stress goes out the window. Not sure if that’s because I’m away from work, someone cleans my room everyday, and someone makes me meals however I want and then cleans up for me. Maybe I should just be a slob for a while and see how that works? But that’s not out of state.

Yep, if you’re trying to outrun some inner issue well, moving won’t change what only you can change from the inside out. Wherever you go, there you are. Still the same on an intrinsic and internal level. If, however, you desire a change of climate or scenery, cooler, warmer, etc. then yes, moving somewhere more in sync with your desires could make you happier.
I am there now, I am sick and tired after 24 years of the heat and dryness and wildfires here in my neck of the woods.

I’m ready for a change of climate and scenery and cooler summers but alas, I cannot finance this desire at this time.

Yes! Moving to FL after college brought me tremendous happiness and tranquility.

Absolutely!

Finding the right state to live in is like finding the right person to marry. There are so many societies, landscapes, and climates out there… there is a state/city (country even) for everyone! If you feel you’re stuck in an “arranged marriage” so to speak, get out there and explore.

It took me 25 years to uproot and try a new state. At the time, it felt like a huge risk leaving everything I knew, but in retrospect I wish I had left sooner. I’ve lived in multiple states now and I have a much better understanding of how my surroundings affect me. Most importantly, I know what I want out of a state… I understand what a “good fit” feels like. I never understood that before, never even understood how to question it. But now that I know that feeling, I’ll know when it changes. And if it does change, I’ll probably seek a new land.

I always end up back in Oregon. But generally I run from things that cross borders so I end up back here.

That and I loathe sales tax. And all the other states without sales tax are shitholes.

Moving out of NYC lifted my depression quite a bit – it’s still there waiting in the wings but at least now I feel able to do things, most of the time. I despise that city, so any change would have been good – but it helps to have chosen to move to one of the most beautiful spots in the US, the Berkshires of western Mass. We are very glad we ended up here. Especially after what Coloma wrote – we almost chose NorCal but decided not to because of the dryness.

I love the area I live in, partly because most of my family and friends are within a 50 mile radius, and partly because we are in a tremendously incredible school system, so we have to ride out 10 more years. Maybe in the future, depending on where my daughter ends up after college (over 14 years away), I would be willing to move somewhere else, but that would also depend on my other family and where they are, if they are still around. I love NY but the last winter was quite stressful, with snow and ice weekly, and if it continues this way, I would really see myself moving a bit south. Some good friends recently bought a condo in North Carolina and I could envision something like that, maybe in the mountains west. Just a thought.

I always say “snow is great if you don’t have to drive in it.” If I were retired, I might feel differently about the snow and ice, but having to consider whether or not to get to work, wait and go to work later, will I crash my car if I try to make it to work in this snow, will I wake up and find a blizzard, etc. was the stressful part. Being retired with snow, maybe a little different (I realize then it will probably be “will I break a hip if I slip on this ice?).

Happiness does come from within. That said, I’d much rather live in California than Queens, NY. Everything is relative.

It was hard at first, when I was 19, but I loved the move from Wisconsin to New Zealand. The climate and lifestyle was healthier and I enjoyed my jobs and sports and music and theatre. Making friends was easier and the whole way of life was more relaxed. The food was good and getting around was easy. Life was affordable and enjoyable. Best 15 years of my life…. expect perhaps the first two were a bit bumpy getting adjusted.

What in the world sent you to New Zealand at 19, @cazzie?

My imagination. @Dutchess_III

Far out!