Leaving Florida, we continued north to Savannah, Georgia, a city that until 2 hours earlier we had never, ever spoken it’s name.

On paper it has some of the best charm, nature and diversity one can ask for. But we simply didn’t fit in.

Like an art student in a room full of jocks, it was obvious we had nothing in common with the locals. Despite the city bustling with life at 11:00 pm, the pub and beer culture just wasn’t our scene.

We loved and appreciated the kindness, accents and fact that every passerby said “Hi there!” while walking their dog, but we couldn’t help but lack connection. Just like love often has no explanation, so does the feeling of home. And it simply wasn’t there.

One night was enough and we continued to Charleston, the prized city of the south. Had we been simply on “vacation” we may have enjoyed a few days, even a week in the extremely quaint city, however it was more of the same from Savannah.

It didn’t take us long to admit: the South just wasn’t our place. There was just too much monotony: of food, people (it’s not international, nor are there even people from all parts of the U.S), and style. Too much of one thing, even a good thing is still too much.

And so we left, grateful for the experience. When we visit a city we learn so much more than just our specific feelings toward that city, but our feelings in general. What things do we value in a home? How did our experience here help determine what we like and don’t like?

In Charleston, and all of the south, it’s simply too disconnected. Driving from Savannah to Charleston made us feel trapped and isolated. Even though Charleston is great, with a walk score of 93, when one has to leave it takes 3 hours to get to the nearest town, which apparently are equally uniform in style.
Everyone and everything it seemed, between NYC and Florida was quite similar…. which wouldn’t be a big deal if our lifestyle wasn’t so different and unconventional.

Without even meeting that many people, we could just tell we wouldn’t be understood or have like minded people to surround us with.

We not only eliminated Nashville and Wilmington from the list, but we confined our search to well connected, open minded and diverse metropolitan locations or cities with some tourist appeal so there’s always something going on.

We don’t want to feel out of place for having a 4:00 pm lunch on a Tuesday, or going to the gym at 10:00 am on a Friday.

And so, the journey continues, us still unsure if what we are looking for is even something we truly want.

– Me