5 Exciting Cities to Search for Your Soul in Your 20s

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There are so many possibilities outside the small tin can.
If you are an avid traveler you might be constantly thinking about moving out of ordinary and find new place to reach your goals.
I’ve been on my soul search myself and have to say this journey of life has been awesome so far.

Over the course of 10 years I have traveled and lived in various cities which brought me to realization that “why” is more important than “where.” …Why? Because it is your motivation, desire, and curiosity that cultivate each day’s exploration. Moving is a task that you create on your own and try again and again as long as you are alive. It’s sort of like finding home while you’re running full speed.

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Sometimes I get this urge to take a wheel and drive to faraway places to see something that I cannot quite see from where I stand.

One definite gain of living in new places is chance to connect with new people that are unique to its location. For this reason, home can be anywhere and everywhere as long as your heart is open for change. This is definitely my main motivation when starting my new life in new location.

Today, I’d like to talk about 5 great cities that I’ve lived in (so far).
All of these places have unique charm and are meaningful places in my 20s. You should totally visit and maybe live there to see what I mean!

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(1) Boston

Boston is all out college city. This city is historical and has four seasons to keep you keen on changes. Great music venues like Middle East Downstairs (as well as Upstairs) and Paradise Rock Club are major staples for ever so active music scenes.

Boston is full of young spirits and technology’s spearheads. I’ve spent my early 20s in Boston as film student, and the impact it had on my artistically receptive years was intense. Boston is kind of like mellow out version of NYC that is still busy city but academic ambiance is definitely winning over the chaotic aspect of urban living. New England has some of the most beautiful seasonal changes in color as well as great outdoor destinations like White Mountains and Cape Cod that appeal to travelers and settlers alike.

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(2) Los Angeles

L.A. is out of control in so many unique ways. It’s so massive and essentially everything in the world is here. People say New York is where the axis of the world is, but hell L.A. is whole different beast in entirely different skin.

Once you lived in L.A. (or registered a car in California) you will never complain about all those stale lifestyle in your previous country home again. Just like every other transplants you will definitely go through some love and hate relationship with L.A. at certain point of residency just to remind yourself why you liked this place so much.  K-Town and late night snacks, that’s the excuse you need to survive through this behemoth of city.

I’ve spent about 3 years in L.A. before getting tired of never ceasing traffic and Hollywood mindsets but never once doubted this city’s glamorous appeal. L.A. has pretty awesome downtown where artists roam around 24-7, beautiful observatory beyond the smog (Griffith Observatory) and of course, BEACH! L.A. is the heart of American culture and there really is no other place to compare.

I am also fond of cities surrounding L.A. county such as Pasadena, Long Beach (and other Beaches), and Santa Barbara.
Although transportation is ALWAYS an issue in L.A., sometimes long drive with rolled down window and incessant ray of sunshine is not a bad thing. Ok, I admit it – I fucking love L.A.

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(3) London

Let’s take this list outside of North American continent – across the “pond” there lies Great Britain and the capitol city of Old England. London is the most cosmopolitan city that I’ve ever visited and lived in. I think NYC is quite cosmopolitan, but not comparable to London’s cultural and historical depth. Immigrants from European countries that dwell in London may speak English language in general, but soon you will learn they are mostly world travelers who are on journey to discover new direction in life. Everything in London is cool, from fashion to street arts and open air Shakespearean theatres to punk rock music. Many people say weather is always an issue, but nothing beats the warm night “out” in pub chugging pints with good circle of mates.

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London is historical city and because of this you may find yourself overwhelmed by cultural difference as American. You might feel Londoners are reserved and “uptight” compared to outspoken Americans. Coming from America, I quite enjoyed the opposite tangent of this cool progressive city. I can easily understand how Jimi Hendrix was adored here more than he was in NYC the years prior to his move. If it’s hip, Brits would know it first.

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(4) San Francisco

San Francisco is one of those cities that I wish I’d spent my early 20s and college life in if it was not for Boston. Neighboring Berkeley and Oakland are easily the coolest cities in United States where many young startup minds and small businesses are blooming with fresh ideas. San Francisco is also close to beautiful lush of nature just across Golden Gate Bridge: Muir Woods, Point Reyes, Mt. Tam, and Stinson Beach. These are major appeal to outdoor enthusiast like myself. Work in tech company on weekdays, and relax in redwood forests on weekends 🙂

I am actually living in San Francisco right now, and yes the increasing rent and high cost of living here is insane. If you are planning to find the apartment in San Francisco, GOOD LUCK… but it is worth the hassle (be sure to read my article on my favorite neighborhood that is Sunset District…it might help you finding the perfect place to move). San Francisco is the city of most eateries per capita, meaning you will have endless selection for great restaurants and the taste palette is always expanding! Call this city foodies’ heaven.


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(5) Tokyo

Many of my friends ask me “what is your favorite place that you lived in?” I normally answer either San Francisco or London (because they are my personal favorites) but I cannot ignore the fact how exciting every day life in Japanese metropolis was. Tokyo is a city that never sleeps (it really doesn’t) and there is never ending effort for improvement and convenience to make people’s lives slightly more easier in otherwise sardine-packed city life. Tokyo is very much like London in a sense historical and cultural aspects of country can be seen everywhere in the gash of gentrification.

If you ever traveled to Japan you know how “respect” plays huge role in Japanese culture. Living in Tokyo for few years even as English teacher or translator can give you deeper looks at foundation of technology and craftsmanship this country is well-known for. I might be biased because Tokyo is my true hometown, but this is the most livable city.

 

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Art District in Downtown L.A. with typical ironic graffiti art.

…So there goes my subjective thoughts on 5 cities that I’ve lived in.
As mentioned above, making connection with people is the key in every point of relocation. I would say Meetup is always good place to start the network once you moved to the new city.

Remember to stay true to your roots, and always share good stories with good people around you. The world is waiting for your smile.

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