But I think some places are just generally better places to live than others, and these places lead to a greater sustained feeling of contentedness. I grew up in the southeast, and after visiting the Bay Area for the first time over a decade ago, I became determined to move there eventually.
So I did. And the initial “exciting new place” vibes did eventually fade somewhat, but... I found that I generally just enjoyed life more than I previously did. My seasonal affective disorder was more tolerable in the winter. The breathtaking scenery never got old. Tastier and healthier food. A job that fit my interests better. A culture that fit my personality better.
But with the birth of our daughter, my wife wanted to be closer to family, so we moved back to where we came from. And I really, really dislike living here. I have made every sort of plan to try to get back to CA eventually, or at least split my time in retirement between here and there (many years from now).
The five months of the year with a lack of sunshine and leafless trees are depressing. The people driving pickup trucks with Confederate flags mounted in the back are depressing. The endless chain restaurants and the fact that I can’t even find fresh garlic or basil is depressing. Knowing that my daughter will eventually go to a school nearby that never required masks and doesn’t believe vaccines are effective is depressing.
The premise of the article seems to be somewhat about the hedonic treadmill, and how it is not the box that you’re in that leads to discontent with life. But sometimes I think it is actually just the box that you’re in, and if you don’t like it, you urgently need to find a new box.