I moved from Oregon to Philadelphia for the walkable city life, but felt homesick. 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.