Former San Francisco Resident Finds Happiness in California Countryside

The move from the city to a smaller town has brought unexpected benefits for health, finances, and community.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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After nearly 13 years living in San Francisco, the author decided to move with her family to a smaller city in the Southern California countryside. The move has come with pleasant surprises, including lower costs of living, a tighter-knit community, and easier access to nature. While there are some drawbacks to living in a more remote area, the author has found the benefits outweigh the downsides and feels the countryside is well-suited for aging.

Why it matters

This story highlights how the pandemic and life changes can prompt people to reevaluate their priorities and seek a different lifestyle, even moving from a major city to a smaller, more rural area. It explores the pros and cons of such a transition and how it can positively impact one's health, finances, and sense of community.

The details

The author, who is originally from Chile and grew up in Los Angeles, found her marketing career took off after moving to San Francisco about 13 years ago. She loved the city's energy and amenities, but after having a child in 2020 and seeing San Francisco empty out during the pandemic, she and her husband decided to move closer to her parents in Southern California and buy a house with more space. They settled in a smaller city of about 100,000 people, about an hour from major cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. The move has brought pleasant surprises, including lower costs of living, a tighter-knit community, and easier access to nature. While they miss some big-city perks, the author feels the benefits of their new lifestyle have completely changed her priorities and she can picture living in the countryside for the rest of her life.

  • The author moved to San Francisco almost 13 years ago.
  • The author had her first child in 2020.
  • The author and her husband closed on their new house in the Southern California countryside in 2021.

The players

Ann Dunning

The author of the story, who moved from San Francisco to the California countryside.

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What they’re saying

“I never imagined I would live in the country and love it — city friends are still skeptical when they come visit.”

— Ann Dunning (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The author plans to continue living in the California countryside for the foreseeable future, as she feels it is well-suited for aging and allows her to maintain a lifestyle that aligns with her current priorities.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how a major life change, like having a child and the COVID-19 pandemic, can prompt people to reevaluate their priorities and seek a different lifestyle, even if it means leaving a bustling city for a quieter, more rural area. The author's experience shows that such a move can bring unexpected benefits, from improved finances to a stronger sense of community, that can outweigh the drawbacks of living in a more remote location.