I relocated from Chicago to San Diego because of love. My peers were envious, yet I couldn't leave California quickly enough.

Having built a thriving professional life and social circle over six years in Chicago, I was heavily involved in multiple organizations.

I would have remained there indefinitely, content with my life, but my boyfriend at the time (now spouse) was serving in the Navy. We had maintained a long-distance relationship for seven years and yearned to close the gap.

In July 2023, I moved to join him in San Diego, where he was stationed.

When I informed my friends and coworkers in the Midwest about the move, I saw glimmers of envy in their eyes.

Many of them, especially those unfamiliar with San Diego, marveled at my fortune of relocating to an idyllic, sun-drenched locale with endless beaches.

I'd acknowledge their enthusiasm with a smile, inwardly apprehensive and unsure about the move. Ultimately, I came to experience firsthand why this sunny city wasn't my ideal home.

Endless Sunshine Left Me Unmoved

While many from colder climates dreamt of perpetual beach weather, I found it tiresome.

Born in California, I paradoxically cherished the frosty, snowy trials of a Chicago winter. I marveled at how the city thrived regardless of the snow and cold.

I enjoyed the cinematic charm of snowy Christmases and took delight in witnessing the metamorphosis through spring, summer dining outdoors, autumn's foliage display, and the cozy bundling up come winter.

San Diego's weather rarely deviates from a pleasantly sunny 60 degrees. The weather app became redundant, removed from my phone as I couldn't bother with its predictability.

Though the sun was favorable for beach days or local hikes, I quickly tired of the monotony and found myself missing the seasonal shifts and even welcome the challenges of winter back home.

Missing my granny's hand-knitted sweaters needed to endure Chicago winters seemed absurd, but celebrating Christmas in best beach attire was uncomfortable and unfitting.

Adapting to a Car-Dominated Landscape

Despite visiting my partner frequently before moving, and knowing that San Diego necessitates vehicle ownership, the lack of need for a car during my time in Chicago kept me from wanting one.

The Californian beach city lifestyle gave the impression that cycling would be practical and common. Disappointingly, that wasn't the reality.

The urban planning made biking impractical; many districts were ill-suited for cyclists, with bike lane scarcity, and maps often directed me onto perilous roads akin to highways.

I attempted walking or jogging instead, only to find consistent obstacles like missing sidewalks or congested roads thwarting my efforts.

On a positive note, San Diego's public transit system exceeded my minimal expectations, given the robust options available in Chicago.

While public transport was available, it often required intricate routes, sometimes extending to over an hour and several transfers to reach any destination.

In the end, I acknowledged that San Diego and I held divergent priorities for transportation preferences. This realization reinforced my fondness for cities favoring pedestrians over vehicular traffic.

Coastal Contemplations: Litter and Tourism

Friends back home were envious of my proximity to numerous stunning shorelines.

However, these beaches attracted throngs of tourists, leading to unpredictability in enjoying them fully.

Early July 2023, I witnessed the aftermath of Independence Day, a memory etched vividly from running on Mission Bay's shores the day after festivities.

The beaches, in a state of disarray, were strewn with inflatables, damaged camping gear, and discarded food containers overflowing from trash bins. Seagulls scavenged amidst the rubbish, amplifying the reek of day-old beer.

Countless revelers had descended, celebrated, and vacated, leaving a daunting cleanup task.

Such occurrences weren't uncommon during holidays, with locals and volunteers often left to manage the aftermath. It was never easy witnessing my environment neglected so blatantly.

Eager to Return to a Different Pace

After approximately a year in San Diego, I was eager to move to Washington, DC.

I looked forward to a city that offered pedestrian-friendly streets, seasonal diversity, and a more connected public transport system.

While I comprehend the allure San Diego holds for many, it ultimately didn't suit me. I've since found joy in DC's cultural offerings like museums, instead of beachside idleness.