Geographical location affects you mentally?

@robertwills
I do think that an environment/culture will definitely affect you over time. If it is an unhealthy/toxic/negative environment vs healthy/positive environment, it can change behavior/mental and physical health for good or bad.

I moved from Minnesota to Arizona as I had traveled there several times before I moved there. I was really looking forward to more sunshine and being able to be outside more. My first location turned out to be a nightmare because of the job I took. I was so worried I’d have to move back to Minnesota but found a job in a town I really knew nothing about only 40 miles but much higher altitude. It was hard to move again after only six months but things fell together and now I have been in Northern Arizona for just over 20 years. I was scared and sad initially as my dream job failed. I think location is an important part in having happiness in where you live, yet I was in Arizona where I wanted to be, just a bump in the road. I tried to look at the positives of my move and it also helped me to see that it would take to settle in. I could have moved back to Minnesota, but I realized I was capable and just to be patient with myself. I tried not to beat myself up about it, which is hard for me, and that in itself was. boost. It’s hard to move out of our comfort zones, and I think it is important to look at our reasons for our decisions. Sometimes it’s more about having courage to look at what really is important to us. I hope you find peace in whatever you decide to do and remember to stop and smell the roses. (Sorry for the long comment)

You're comment may have been long but it was enjoyable and informative to read. I consider "environment" to be everything interacting with one's self. So in your case it wasn't the place but the social (employment) situation that changed.

I think I was hoping someone would say something about how the location itself and the culture create an environment that is difficult or easy for most people. You know like some places are just awful with a bad climate, unattractive geography, a lot crime, rude people, litter, etc.. Some places are great with mild climates, beautiful scenery, low crime, clean, etc.. I think the "happy countries" do things that actually create the happiness because it's easy in their geographical location. Unhappy places are simply stuck due to certain conditions, such as an uncomfortable climate.

@robertwills and @dlydailyhope I agree! I am a big city person who has moved to a small city due to circumstances not under my control and two and a half years later I still don’t feel “at home”! Lovely house, lovely neighbour next door, but it just doesn’t have that big city feel I was never aware I loved so much! For one thing, .I don’t drive and public transportation is not as good here. Yes, I can take Uber or taxis, but it’s not the same as hopping on and off a bus, subway train, etc. I can so relate to “environment pushing you in the wrong ways”, the “environment” being social as well as environmental (weather conditions).

Well, there are certainly different mindsets and I found some things that are different in AZ, not as friendly as in Minnesota and a bit crazy driving. Thanks for your response. When in Australia it was so different there, friendly people, no crazy drivers and I never heard a siren of any kind while I was there. Have a great day, one step at a time.

Definitely environment and society has a big effect on us and I never thought I would live in a small town. A lot of soul searching is needed. I know sometimes I make things too difficult for myself and something I need to continue to work on.

Yeah I know what you mean. It is more dangerous here and attitude here is something I struggle with. There are good things coming.

I left California after 30 years and really miss it. Living on the East Coast and having to deal with rain anytime during the year, cold winters, hot summers, etc. is difficult. BUT I love New York City. Nothing at all like it on the West Coast. San Francisco is too provincial and Los Angeles too sprawled out. Fortunately, I house sit in California for about 7-8 weeks a year so still get to enjoy it. And if I'd stayed I never would have been able to retire. Sold my house for an ungodly amount which let me afford to buy a place outright in New York. I miss seeing the ocean every day. New York is near the ocean but the beaches are crowded unlike Northern California where you can be the only person alone on a rocky beach.

Never thought about this till I saw this post. I would say yes but I would consider other factors contributing to this outcome.

Yes and I can’t mentally adjust to the current environment that I live. I grew up in northern Idaho, moved away and returned 30 years later to retire. After living there for 12 years, I decided to move due to the political environment and the challenges that came with the enormous population growth that occurred during the pandemic. To accommodate this growth, farmland was sold to build thousands of tract homes, multi million builds on riverfront and lakefront properties erased the beautiful views from local bike and walking trails and additional roads were constructed. A once known small sleepy area had transformed into one with increased traffic, crime, bigotry and created a huge gap in wealth. So I moved to Prescott, AZ hoping to experience a little of the colder weather as well as the warmer temps during the winter months. It’s been a challenge and one that I regret. I miss the mountains, the trees and real green grass and the political environment isn’t any better. So I’m back to looking elsewhere like Colorado or Oregon.