I moved from Oregon to Philadelphia for the city life, but missed the outdoors and my car. I left less than a year later.

After living in Philadelphia, I realized how much I value easy access to mountain hiking and snow sports.

Tristin Hoffman/Business Insider I went to school in an outdoorsy Oregon city, but moved to Philadelphia for a job after graduation.

I've since moved back to my college town, largely because of the lifestyle differences.

I was surprised at how much I missed my car and the easier access to outdoor activities.

When I moved across the country for a job after spending my entire life in outdoorsy West Coast cities, I didn't expect the homesickness that would follow.

I spent four years in college in Eugene, Oregon, a medium-sized city situated between the Cascade Mountains and the Oregon Coast, where my life revolved around physical and outdoor activities.

My social circle included surfers, skaters , snowboarders, and mountain bikers, and taking an after-class hike with friends was the norm.

Having grown up in San Diego, I'd been used to an outdoor-focused lifestyle for as long as I could remember.

But after graduating, I accepted a job in Philadelphia and moved in the fall of 2025, drawn to its walkability, big-city energy, and the chance for a change of pace and scenery.

I knew there would be differences between life in Eugene and Philadelphia, but I struggled with not having a car, the harsher-than-expected winter weather, and the extra planning it took to get outdoors.

I ultimately moved back to Oregon less than a year later because it was a better match for my lifestyle.

The cold weather wasn't just uncomfortable — it was painful.

The snow was comforting to watch fall while indoors.

Walking around in snowy conditions, however, was both uncomfortable and exhausting.