There are a number of people I know who are keenly interested in living in different locations, and who dream of hopping from one place to another every few months in order to have a change of scenery and a fresh start. I am the exact opposite. Though I love traveling to different places both within and outside of the United States, I have never had any interest in living anywhere other than California. I also HATE moving, and would rather put down roots and have a stable home environment than to move frequently.

Once I was on my own, I lived in one apartment for nine years before moving. The only reason why I had to move was because I was about to start medical school in a different county. I lived in a few places during medical school and residency, but that was mainly because I had roommates, then got married. Once my marriage was destined to meet its end after a few years, I moved back to Los Angeles and planted new roots again.

I like being able to come home and know where everything is. I like the fact that I have worked out at the same gym for over ten years now, that I go to the same grocery stores, the same fuel stations, and take the same routes to work. It’s not that I don’t like change, because the cadence of my day to day life has enough randomness and unpredictability. But at least the one constant in my life is the fact that I can go to the same home base I have gone to for years.

Before you assume that I have a ton of stuff in cold storage, I can assure you that I keep my belongings well sorted and organized, and I don’t like to hold onto a lot of clutter. Though I have a backup supply of toiletry items and food items, I truly do use them on a regular basis, so the supply is always moving. I also impose limits on the amount of clothing I can keep, because I don’t want my dresser drawers, cabinets or closet overflowing with unnecessary items.

Even though I have done a fair amount of traveling in recent years, I always relish the comforts of home. There is nothing more satisfying for me after traveling (especially if I travel abroad) than returning to the home I know well. You won’t find me fantasizing about living in a different place, because I am perfectly comfortable where I am. Barring any sudden financial windfalls which would enable me to buy the house of my dreams, I am staying put for as long as I can.