Shoutout to the roommate who talked me out of staying in Columbus
Two years ago I had a lease renewal sitting on my desk for a $1,150 apartment in Columbus, and I had a job offer in Austin for $200 less a month. My roommate sat me down and said, "you're only staying because it's easy, not because it's good." I took the Austin job and moved with two duffel bags and an air mattress. The first month was rough, I ate rice and eggs for dinner more nights than I want to count. But I met my now girlfriend at a taco truck on South 1st, so I'd say it worked out. Anyone else move somewhere with almost no plan and have it actually pay off?
Moved to Denver in 2019 with about $400 and no job lined up, slept on a coworker's couch for six weeks until I found something. What helped me was saying yes to every invite that first year, even the ones I was too broke for, because that's how I built a life there instead of just existing. Your taco truck story is a good reminder that the people you meet end up mattering more than the money you saved.