I always dreamed of moving to New York City. After living there for 5 years, I found an even better home in New England.

Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to leave my home in San Diego County behind and pursue a career in theatre on the East Coast.

In my teens, I applied exclusively to New York schools, eventually choosing Hunter College, where I earned my degree in theatre.

Initially, I fell in love with the New York City arts and culture scene, and appreciated how easy it was to get around without a car.

After five years, though, living in the big city started to wear me down.

NYC has a lot going on, no matter where you turn: loud noises, tall buildings, and crowds upon crowds.

I started to feel claustrophobic and began thinking about settling in a smaller, more laid-back city.

During this point in my life, I was making frequent trips from NYC to Rhode Island to do shows.

And soon, it hit me that I may have found my ideal home.

The first time I stepped off the Megabus in Providence, I was immediately struck by the peaceful scene.

Everywhere I looked, there was art — even some of the houses were painted in bright pastels.

I was drawn to the city’s sense of whimsy and could tell it seemed slower and more intentional than what I was used to in NYC.

There was just something so charming about Providence — it’s a city, of course, the state capital even, but the vibe was so entirely different from anywhere else I’d been.

I even liked the pizza better, which was something I didn’t expect.

But with neighborhoods like Federal Hill, the Italian side of town, filled with enough pizza and pasta restaurants to last a lifetime, it’s hard not to feel that way.

During my shuttling between NYC and Providence, I met my now-husband: a Massachusetts native living in a neighboring town right outside the city.

We moved in together rather quickly, as I needed somewhere to stay since I had made up my mind about leaving New York.

And honestly, living in New England has lived up to all my expectations.

Since I don’t drive, I appreciate the robust public transportation system here — an amenity I had grown accustomed to during my time in NYC.

My son and I enjoy taking the RIPTA bus through Providence, which is relatively convenient, typically on time, and can easily take us almost anywhere we want to go in the state.

On a more personal level, I love that people here stop to say “good morning” to each other, and neighbors really seem to look out for one another.

I’ve met some truly wonderful people in Providence, including a plethora of mom friends from story time at the library.

When I first visited, Providence seemed like a bit of a fairytale — a safe haven from the hustle and bustle of NYC.

Now that I live here, it’s just home.

Even after almost a decade, I can still see the magic in the city.

Although my husband and I briefly considered moving to San Diego to be closer to my family, we eventually realized that we’re New Englanders through and through.

We have the stereotypical “kind but not nice” personality, a straightforward, logic-based sensibility, and a love of iced coffee in 20-degree weather.

Despite my upbringing in sunny Southern California, I truly feel I am an East Coast person at heart.

Of course, life here isn’t always perfect.

One of the main things I’ve had to get used to is the weather.

I’m not a snow person, and I don’t know if I ever will be.

At the same time, though, having distinct seasons has been good for my mental health, and I love watching my son play in the snow.

Although I have to admit, this year’s record-breaking snowstorm made me miss the San Diego beaches just a little.

But overall, I can confidently say New England is my home now.

It has treated me well, and it’s where I want my son to grow up.

And if that means having to power through some rough winters, so be it.