"This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live"

[Roots&Wings]

Has anyone read this book? I thought it had some good reminders about what makes us feel connected to a place and feeling "at home", whether you can live anywhere or have become disenchanted with the place you live.

Basics like getting outside in your neighborhood, exploring, talking to your neighbors, buying local, going to local events, getting out in nature, finding nearby parks, volunteering, eating local food, getting involved in local politics, creating something (e.g. a community event/art/etc)...and when it might be time to move somewhere new.

People can experience "hedonic adaptation" and "grass is greener" syndrome with where they live, just like consumer purchases. Travel often fills that niche, or you might think what's the point of getting involved here when I'll just be moving again soon.

Or you might experience one disaster too many (pandemic anyone?) or be in a place that's fundamentally incompatible politically (hint: like minded people tend to move places that match their values).

A few other resources mentioned by the author that I found helpful:
- Climate resilience/natural disasters map (https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/01/weekinreview/01safe.html?hp)
- Which Towns Match My Politics? (https://www.claritycampaigns.com/townrank)

[MudPuppy]

I read this a couple years ago. I liked it a lot more than I expected to.  She really had great talking points and included both personal anecdotes and suggested action items for each section.


Home is where you make it, just like farmer fran says

[Roots&Wings]

Thanks @MudPuppy, the checklists at the end of each chapter were quite helpful.

Home is where you make it, however this pandemic has definitely impacted where I live (not in a good way). Some people have been fortunate and it's reinforced that they live in a wonderful caring community, while others have discovered first hand what it's like to live someplace where people have dramatically different values, consideration for others, and views on public health guidelines. Still working through this, but the book has helped!

[Dicey]

I haven't read the book, but it sounds like I've done most of the thngs you mentioned. I started about ten years ago, because I didn't know anybody when I went to the grocery store. It's been a huge success. Just popping in to say it works, it really works.

[Roots&Wings]

Exactly, none of it's rocket science, but like a lot of things (exercise, cooking, etc), it's a matter of actually doing it. Glad to hear an affirmation!

For those of us less inclined to be social butterflies, it also has some helpful pointers around "social capital" and becoming involved in a place in a way that works for you.

[socaso]

I read it and liked it but found quite a few of the suggestions hard to implement for myself. She's a write with a more flexible schedule and I work full time and tend to have an opposite hours schedule with my spouse so one of us is either working or taking care of our child. I'd like to get out there more and put more of her ideas into action. It did inspire me to do things like shop more locally, give to local groups, etc.

[Trudie]

I read it and loved it so much I emailed the author and heard back from her.  (We FIREd to Ames, IA ...one of the places she lived.). Anyway, I found it a very practical and helpful book.