I grew up in Lithuania, the happiest place in the world for under-30s. It has some of the cheapest rent in Europe and other perks.

Tech Insider
Vilnius aerial view with hot air balloons over the top
The beauty, vibrant culture, nature, and welcoming atmosphere of Lithuania's capital city, Vilnius, take my breath away.

Angel Villalba/Getty Images

I fell in love with a charming town in Northern California. Once I finally moved there, I couldn't get away fast enough.

Tech Insider
Grass valley california
Grass Valley has a lot of charm, but I found I liked visiting it more than living in it.

Cavan-Images/Shutterstock

I've lived overseas with my European boyfriend for 3 years. We still can't agree on dinner time, investment strategies, or how to talk to each other's families.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman and man standing in Uplistsikhe, a rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia.
Elizabeth Lavis and her Georgian boyfriend often face culture clashes, but they are finding ways to make it work.

Elizabeth Lavis

I moved from Connecticut to California. I loved it, but felt so relieved when I returned to New England years later.

Tech Insider
Author Carly Neil on farm in Connecticut
I was born and raised in Connecticut, and I love living there.

Carly Neil

After my first long-distance relationship failed, I vowed never to do it again. Then I met another foreign guy online.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman in a hat, wearing sunglasses, holding a glass of wine in Switzerland.
After Dena Roché's long-distance relationship with a Swiss boyfriend came to an end, she had no plans to start another one.

Dena Roché

We moved our family to Florida for my husband's job. It ruined our marriage — and I'm back in Ohio with the kids.

Tech Insider
Author Candace Powell with her kids
I moved my family back to Ohio after we lived in Florida.

Candace Powell

I've traveled to 90 countries. I only found one place I want to live.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman in white shirt sitting on a rock near waterfall in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Lola Méndez has found Chiang Mai to be an affordable city for her lifestyle.

Lola Méndez

I'm a mom of 3 in Israel. Every time my daughter walks into the room, I turn off the news.

Tech Insider
A collage of a hand covering a TV with an Israeli flag in the background.
Deborah Danan is raising her three kids in a mixed city in Israel. She makes sure the news is switched off when they come into the room.

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

My identical twin and I only started dressing alike as adults. It's the way it should be.

Tech Insider
mikhaila and aimee twin sisters
The author and her twin, in 2020. The sisters once pledged never to be caught together wearing the same outfit.

Mikhaila Friel

I spent my early 20s renting in expensive US cities. Life isn't cheaper for me in the suburbs, but it's better and more fun.

Tech Insider
Amory Rose smiling
I've spent a lot of years living in some of the most expensive cities. A few months ago, I finally gave up and headed to the suburbs of Pennsylvania.

Amory Rose

Subscribe to personal-essay