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Grew up in the Chicago suburbs, then went to school in Troy, NY, then founded a startup in Boston. Now I'm starting to feel like Switzerland is the next destina
by Taek 10y ago
Grew up in the Chicago suburbs, then went to school in Troy, NY, then founded a startup in Boston. Now I'm starting to feel like Switzerland is the next destination, and while it feels like a more permanent move than the others, I wonder where I would be if I had not moved at all.
I'd probably be a more stout Christian, my economic class would almost certainly be lower. I'd probably have a lot more friends. Moving has a huge social cost and I've paid it twice. I'd probably be happier in daily life.
But I'd also probably feel like a big fish in a small pond. Like I had let down my potential. If I was in that position, I'd probably regret not leaving for college more than I currently regret leaving.
So I don't actually regret the price I've paid. But I do reflect on it frequently.
- fastball 10y agoInteresting that you mention the impact moving had on your faith. I moved to Switzerland when I was a teenager and wholly attribute that to my loss of faith.
- cableshaft 10y agoPlenty of non-devout or non-religious people in the Chicago suburbs area. Unless you're talking about Wheaton. But even then, there's a few. Personally I think internet forums had a greater effect on that for me than relocating (I actually moved to the Chicago suburbs about ten years ago). Definitely agree about the more friends, though. That's a big thing that's making me reluctant to leave, is how many friends I've made here. The job market here could be a lot better though. Most of the tech jobs are in downtown Chicago, and even then it seems it's mostly in advertising, which I loathe and would rather not work in.