Writer Struggles with Loneliness After Moving from NYC to Charlotte

Despite finding a slower pace and lower costs, the remote work and lack of community have been challenging.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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After living in the bustling New York City for two years, Elizabeth Wright decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a more affordable and relaxed lifestyle. While she has enjoyed the lower cost of living and amenities, Wright has found the transition to her new city isolating, especially as a remote worker without an established social circle.

Why it matters

Wright's experience highlights the difficulties that can come with moving to a new city, even when the change seems positive on paper. Her story reflects the challenges of building community and finding fulfillment when leaving behind established relationships and the energy of a larger metropolitan area.

The details

Wright traded her $4,600-per-month studio in NYC for a $2,489 one-bedroom in Charlotte, but the slower pace of her new city has felt isolating. As a remote travel writer, she lacks the built-in social connections of an office job, and networking events and friend-of-a-friend invitations haven't led to the same genuine connections she had in New York. The predictability of daily life in Charlotte, from running errands to visiting the same local spots, has also contributed to her feelings of loneliness.

  • After two years of living in New York City, Wright decided to move to Charlotte in 2023.
  • Wright has been living in Charlotte for over three years as of the publication of this article in 2026.

The players

Elizabeth Wright

A travel writer who moved from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, in search of a slower pace of life and lower cost of living.

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What they’re saying

“At times, I appreciate the quieter lifestyle. However, after a while, the coffee shops, breweries, and parks all seem to blur together.”

— Elizabeth Wright (businessinsider.com)

“Building a life in North Carolina has taken longer than expected, and some days, the seemingly endless tapping of my lone keyboard amid the hum of my air purifier is deafening.”

— Elizabeth Wright (businessinsider.com)

The takeaway

Wright's story highlights the challenges that can come with moving to a new city, even when the change seems positive on paper. Her experience reflects the difficulty of building community and finding fulfillment when leaving behind established relationships and the energy of a larger metropolitan area.