157. Why I Changed My Mind About Where I Want to Live | Chicago to LA Q+A (very honest)

I’m officially back in Los Angeles after living in Chicago for the past year and a half, and in this episode, I’m walking through the full decision behind that move. This is not a dramatic story - it's a clear reflection of what happens when you try something new, gather real data from your life, and then make a decision that actually aligns with what you value. I break down why I moved to Chicago in the first place, why it ultimately did not work for me, and what made Los Angeles the right fit again. We also get into a full comparison of Chicago vs LA, including lifestyle differences, social culture, career opportunities, and day-to-day quality of life. If you are thinking about moving, feeling stuck where you are, or questioning whether a big life change is the right move, this episode will give you a grounded and practical framework for thinking through that decision.Get Your Roadway Quote with my code YOURBUDGET10: https://rdwaymov.co/4b4PgeqSubscribe to Beyond Your Budget:https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kitBREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATORhttps://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator💳 Tools + Cards I Use:Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcHSoFi HYSA: https://secure.money.com/pr/pa5344bfc4f2AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2zx4vuraBilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33aBlue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2acAll Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa💸 My ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaalloccaTIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Life update: moving back to LA02:00 – Why I chose to move to Chicago07:40 – Why I decided to leave Chicago14:00 – Why LA fits my life better now16:00 – Renting vs buying and long-term plans18:00 – Cost of living: LA vs Chicago breakdown24:00 – Chicago vs LA: pros and cons38:30 – How this move will change my content42:00 – How I budgeted and planned the move50:00 – What I learned and final reflections