"I'd been on the island for less than a week when I opened my glove box looking for sunglasses, only to find the wrapper of my emergency granola bar torn open and the corner nibbled, right next to a neat little pile of mouse droppings. As I inspected the rest of the car, I was mortified to realize it was likely more than a single mouse. I texted the friend I was housesitting for in disbelief. "Ugh, I'm sorry! That's so island," she wrote back."
"Growing up in the Bay Area and later raising my kids in Seattle, I've always considered myself a city person. From working at a department store in downtown San Francisco as a teenager to partying with coworkers from around the world, I've always loved the culture, diversity, and convenience big cities provide. I love walking everywhere, taking public transit, and meeting friends for Sunday brunch. Rural living has never felt like an option for me."
A longtime West Coast city resident who previously embraced urban life and conveniences spent repeated short stays and a three-week house-sit on a remote Pacific Northwest island. Practical challenges included mice infestations, limited services, no street lights, and reliance on a $24 ferry to reach the mainland. The resident handled problems personally and borrowed tools from neighbors. The island's small population and slower pace contrasted with city living. The resident returned multiple times and is now spending three months on the island to evaluate whether long-term relocation makes sense.
Read at Business Insider
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