I went the opposite direction. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and didn't realize how severely the climate affected my daily mental health until I got away. Especially in winter. The endless rain would leave me in a terrible place. And then there's the traffic. And while escape into the mountains was possible on weekends, even there it was crowded. On weekdays, the city always felt like a trap.

I returned and lived in Seattle twice as an adult, once for three years in my early twenties after attending college in a dry location, and again for a year-and-a-half in my early thirties. Some of my darkest struggles with lifelong depression occurred during those two stretches. I couldn't take it anymore. Not after being away. I still just kind of shudder at the memories now, and I'm decades gone. My family has since all died but for myself, and while I miss all of them, I've only been in Seattle once in the past decade since, and I don't miss trips to that city one bit.

Ironically I moved to Alaska, with much longer winters. But the outdoor recreation options during that season presented an entirely different scenario than the wet soggy moldy mess in Washington. And outdoor exercise is critical for me. Winter is now my favorite time of year.

Getting out of a large city was also beneficial.

So yeah, geography – and with it climate and urban sprawl – have long been something I've known to have a huge impact on my mental health. I've always said that if we ever leave Alaska the only other place I'd agree to is New Mexico. The Northwest? Never again. I don't want to die miserable.