Summary

The author reflects on their transition from city life to seaside living, expressing mixed feelings and occasional regret for leaving the city's vibrancy and opportunities behind.

Abstract

The author recounts their journey from a small town to the bustling city between the ages of 19 and 26, detailing the challenges and rewards of adapting to city life, including the struggle for financial stability, the search for social connections, and the cultural enrichment experienced. After moving to a seaside village at 26, the author contrasts the perceived idyllic lifestyle with the reality of limited opportunities and isolation, especially during the pandemic. Despite the beauty and tranquility of seaside living, the author admits to missing the city's dynamism, cultural offerings, and sense of freedom, while also acknowledging the downsides of city life such as overcrowding and the stress of constant activity.

Opinions

The author initially found the city's pace and social scene exciting and full of potential for personal growth.
Adapting to city life was difficult, involving financial struggles and the need to find a sense of belonging in a competitive environment.
The author values the cultural experiences and social life that the city offered, such as opera shows, theatre plays, and music concerts.
Owning a home in the city was a significant achievement and a source of security for the author.
Seaside living, while envied by friends, presents its own challenges, including a sense of isolation and a lack of stimulation.
The author's

Do I Regret Leaving the City to Move to the Seaside?

Wednesday’s prompt: What story no longer fits me? What role is too small for me?

Between 19 and 26 years old, I lived in the City.

It was very hard to adapt, as I was coming from a small town with lower rhythm, less pollution, much focus on reading and writing and studying in general.

When I went to the Big City, my curiosity was immense.

I wanted to discover what life was.

I wanted to have a social life, plenty of friends, and an environment where to be loved and accepted.

I wanted to go out in the evening, in a stunning dress, and watch an opera show, a theatre play, a music concert. I wanted to become, în many ways, a quality person. I was hoping that the City would have exactly that effect on me.

I wanted to go to big shops, beautiful spas, events, marketplaces, and all the fun stuff the City offers.

I wanted to learn what true life is about.

In the beginning, I had absolutely no money, as a 19 years old student. I had to share a bathroom with lots of other people and had almost no privacy. It was more than I can describe in words.

But as I was adapting to my new condition, little by little, I started to play the „City dance”. I was learning the rhythm.

I struggled at interviews. I took part-time jobs. I tried to make friends in a very competitive environment.

I studied a lot, and most of all, I took advantage of student facilities: the tickets to theatres and the opera costed a lot less.

I struggled very much to buy a two-room apartment.

It was very hard, very stressful, but I was alone in the whole wide world and I needed a place of my own.

In the end, I managed to buy one, struggling with the housing market and its „sharks”.

I’m not saying life in the City is easy. If you don’t know anyone, it’s hard to survive, and usually, you must be stronger than anyone.

But once you get used and learn the rules of the game and find your own dimension, identity and start to know what you want to do and how you want to live, it can be rewarding.

After 26, I came to live in a small vacation village at the seaside. Everyone’s dream, you could say.

But every reality is two-faced. There are lots of advantages but so many disadvantages too.

All my friends envy me for living at the seaside, in a warmer climate and close to nature and simple things.

When I post a picture with a sunset on Facebook or Instagram, I receive lots of likes.

I came to discover, after more than 10 years of living at the seaside, this lifestyle can be challenging. There are so many things you are not considering when dreaming of a perfect life sipping a cocktail at the beach.

It really depends on what you want and what you need at a certain moment, but you must take into consideration that your needs and priorities will change in time.

So, do I regret leaving the City to move to an Italian holiday village?

Do I regret leaving “civilization” behind?

Surprisingly, I often do.

Even in the Pandemic, I still do.

I guess that’s human nature: we always dream to be somewhere else, to live a different life.

I am though aware that the Pandemic has changed everything and City life is not so appealing right now, with all the restrictions and possibility of getting the Covid.

I have a friend who lived in London for more than 15 years, and she says she would happily exchange the City with my small seaside town.

But I still miss the City.

I miss going out at every hour to meet friends, to meet new people.

I miss the long walks and the curiosity to always discover new places and live new experiences.

I miss the challenges.

Mostly — I miss my freedom.

The Pandemic and living in a small village between two tunnels feel so suffocating at times. For instance, today there’s a train strike. The street that crosses the galleries is closed for work.

We are forced to stay here, even if it’s sunny outside.

We have only two streets to walk, and the same people to see, over and over again.

It feels like a jail.

So — yes, I miss being in a big City. I miss my privacy and freedom to do almost anything I want.

I miss large spaces and events.

I miss the concerts and theatre plays and having hope to meet quality people to be together for the rest of our lives.

But I don’t miss the tube and overcrowded places.

I guess that’s life: a two-faced reality.