In 2010 I moved from near a US tech hub to a small town 5 hours away. There are lots of pros and cons, but main thing I'd say is to be honest with yourself abou

In 2010 I moved from near a US tech hub to a small town 5 hours away. There are lots of pros and cons, but main thing I'd say is to be honest with yourself about your economic situation and your lifestyle needs, and don't make the jump lightly. Within just a few years I looked around and realized that all the young families our age that we'd met had packed up their bags and left because they couldn't make it work economically + job opportunities were greater elsewhere. Yes a lot has changed especially re: covid and remote work, but it's still way easier to find work if you are in a tech hub or major city. Especially now being a real estate agent (which in itself is a story of the changes that come with small town life...), I meet lots of people of all demographics moving into our area. Many have never spent any time here, but are drawn to the pictures in the tourist magazine, so to speak. I'm already starting to see people who bought during covid lockdowns who are now having buyers remorse as they realize that maybe small town life isn't for them. All I'm saying is, do more than spend a weekend in a place before you decide to buy a house and shake up your life - I've legit seen people buy houses having basically never been here, and that's not a wise approach. Frankly, if you really have the means and don't have family ties keeping you in a place, I'd ask: why stay in the US at all? But regardless of where you go, hone your research in quickly. Don't keep looking at every last little burg in all 50 states. Go rent an airbnb for a couple of weeks and live as though you live there - and make yourself a study of the tradeoffs you'd be making with each place.