The Best Places To Live For Your Mental Health

, Mar 2, 2022

A happy young professional stretches their arms toward the sky, surrounded by buildings in a city.

Choosing a new place to live is one of the biggest decisions someone can make. People have many different reasons for wanting to move somewhere new — they may want a change of scenery, to start a family, or maybe things aren’t going well in their current neighborhood.

Moreover, with one in four American adults suffering from a mental illness, it’s essential to consider your mental health when deciding to rent or buy a home. It can have a major effect on your quality of life and could make the difference between living a healthy and productive life or suffering in silence.

Whether you’re looking for a big city with plenty of activities and opportunities such as Austin, TX, or a small town with a tight-knit community and slower pace, there’s bound to be a perfect place out there for you.

The Lake

If you’re looking to live somewhere with a high quality of life, look no further than living by the lake. With all of the picturesque views and relaxing waterfront activities, lakes are an incredible place to go for those who need some time away from the business of city life.

With plenty to offer, here are a few major health reasons to live by the lake:

  • Sunny conditions — The sun produces vitamin D and serotonin, hormones that leave people feeling happy and uplifted. Having a sunny place to go every day is always a great way to boost your mood.
  • Fitness opportunities — Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or a dedicated workout session, lakes allow you to exercise outside in the fresh air.
  • Outdoor activities — With plenty of activities such as picnics, boating, and sunbathing, you’ll always have things to do by the lake.
  • Calming atmosphere — By the water, stress and anxiety are often reduced, giving you a chance to think and reflect.

Living in areas such as Lakeway, TX near Lake Travis allows people looking to step away and refocus their mind and energy the opportunity to do so in a fresh and revitalizing way.

The Suburbs

Living in the suburbs might be a great option for more introverted people. Having the space to truly escape into your own little sanctuary is incredibly beneficial for those looking to focus inward and recharge after a busy day of work.

It’s important to note that every suburb is different, but there are some general benefits they all have to offer:

Slower Paced

Suburbs are often less hectic than busy, big cities with noise and distractions. This allows those who need a break from their daily lives to find a place of peace and quietness.

Safe

The suburbs are often known for their safety and familiarity. With smaller streets and fewer strangers, it is a great place to live without fear for your safety.

Good Schools

Most suburbs are home to great public schools that provide kids with a solid education. So if you’re looking for a place with good schools, consider moving to the suburbs where there is less competition and more resources.

Access to the City

While some suburbs are more rural, many of them have easy access to nearby cities, which gives you the best of both worlds. People who enjoy the excitement and amenities of city life and want a quiet place to escape from time to time can benefit from living in an area that is still close enough to commute when needed.

In fact, in 2020, 4.9 million Americans left city life for the suburbs or other rural areas. With more and more individuals seeking a suburban way of life, this is becoming increasingly common especially as more people seek quieter places to live in a post-pandemic world.

The City

For more extroverted people, living in a major city might be beneficial. With the hustle of everyday life, a city is an incredible place for those looking to meet new people and test themselves in an environment where they have to adapt and grow.

Neighborhoods like Austin’s Crestview, are known to have diverse communities, which is great for those looking to expand their horizons. However, it’s important to note that every city has its unique benefits and challenges, so be sure to research what each location has to offer.

Hustle and Bustle

Living in a city gives you the opportunity for adventure and new experiences daily. Whether you’re exploring a new neighborhood or going to a busy bar with friends, there is always something exciting going on that will give you a fresh perspective of the world.

If you’re trying to choose a place to live if you love music, entertainment, and a social scene, consider picking up and moving to the city.

Job Market and Economic Opportunities

Major cities like Austin and New York City are home to some of the biggest companies in the world. This means that if you’re looking for employment, these might be great places to start searching for work.

If you’re thinking about moving somewhere where there are more opportunities to advance your career and enjoy the economic perks of city living, research which locations are home to major companies.

Access to Healthcare

In the city, you have access to an incredible number of healthcare facilities that can improve your quality of life. Whether you need help finding a new doctor or something more serious like cancer treatments, there is almost certainly a hospital nearby that will provide you with the care and attention you need.

Moreover, it’s important to live in a city with good healthcare if you struggle with mental health issues or need ongoing treatment. This way you have access to help at any time of day without having to travel too far from home.

Sociological Perspective

Those who believe that individuals can change society for the better will be best off living in the city. With people of all kinds living nearby, there are opportunities to share cultures and ideas.

Additionally, living in a state capital changes your sociological perspective in a way that is likely to be beneficial to your mental health. With the constant political action happening in these locations, you’ll gain access to different ideas that can be used for future conversations or events.

Pet-Friendly Cities

Even if you don’t have a pet but are thinking of having a furry friend, looking for a new home in a city with amazing parks and veterinary clinics can help you find the perfect spot for you and your new companion.

There are many reasons you should live in a pet-friendly city including:

  • Cities invest in green spaces. This means city dwellers have more parks and green space than their suburban counterparts.
  • Your social connection flourishes. Pets promote socialization and connection, so adding a furry friend to your life means you’ll be more likely to meet people in public.
  • You get a mental health boost. Science tells us pets are good for mental health, meaning having a pet will help lessen anxiety and promote positive feelings.
  • It promotes healthy behaviors. Pets encourage outdoor exercise, which is beneficial for your mental health.

Overall, pets in the city can help you achieve a happier state of mind.

Anywhere Sunny

Since sunshine is associated with better moods, moving to a place where the sun is almost always shining can give you a lift in no time. When your mental health is boosted, it can influence physical and emotional wellbeing as well.

Other health reasons to live in a sunny state include:

  • It’s good for your mental health. Being outside makes you feel good, so if your current living situation doesn’t allow you to soak up the sun’s rays daily, it’s time for an upgrade.
  • It prompts you to exercise. Being outside, especially in a sunny area, will encourage you to become more physically active.
  • It gives your immune system a boost. When you get adequate exposure to the sun, your immune system functions better.

No matter where you end up, having access to healthy amounts of sunlight will improve your physical and mental health.

Whatever Is Important To You

People prioritize different needs that contribute to their overall well-being. For some, having a waterfront view is the most important thing because it reminds them of their values or family. Others prefer a bustling downtown because it brings them closer to culture, work opportunities, and lots of entertainment choices.

When you live in a place with features that make you feel empowered, you will be much more likely to take care of your mental health. As long as the city you live in has a little bit of everything important to you, then you can rest assured knowing that it also has a lot to offer for your physical and mental wellbeing.

If it feels right, it may be time to sell your home and say goodbye to your current city for one that will offer you a healthier life.

 

About the Author

Last updated: 06/27/2023

2300+ Client reviews!

My realtor was Tammy and we had a great experience. It felt that she wanted us in the home that is the best fit for us and felt that she was authentic and honest with us. We benefited from her experience and advice in avoiding places that wouldn’t have worked for my family and finding the place that checked off all our boxes. Thank you Tammy!

I cannot speak highly enough about the outstanding service we received from Kasey Gilliam and Kim Jowers with Bramlett Residential Real Estate during the recent sale of our home. They are a fantastic team! From our initial consultation to the successful closing, Kasey proved to be an invaluable asset, guiding us through every step of the process with expertise and professionalism. Kasey demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the local market dynamics and economic headwinds. Throughout the entire process, Kasey was proactive, communicative, and always available to address any questions or concerns we had. She provided regular updates and feedback that kept us informed and reassured, making the selling experience remarkably smooth. I wholeheartedly recommend Kasey to anyone looking for a top-notch real estate agent who truly prioritizes her clients’ needs!

Tara McGuire recently sold our house in Circle C and did an amazing job. She is so easy to work with, knowledgable, and responsive. I believe she got us top $$. Highly recommend working with Tara and her team at Bramlett! Their service was all inclusive with staging, marketing, etc. No nickel and diming. Just great service.

It was pleasure working with Tammy Costello from Bramlett Residential Real Estate in finding our home. We could not have imagined the process to be as seamless and easy as it was! As first-time home buyers, Tammy walked us through the process and guided us through each step. She is meticulous, has great communication and negotiation skills. With her help and years of experience, we were able to find our dream home. Thanks for making it so easy, Tammy!

I had the pleasure of working with Vicki Duran and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, Vicki demonstrated deep knowledge of the market and a genuine commitment to understanding my needs. Her communication was exceptional – always prompt, clear, and informative. Throughout the process, Vicki went above and beyond, negotiating on my behalf, explaining the process/each step along the way, and ensuring every detail was taken care of. Her professionalism, dedication, and personalized approach was exceptional. She truly cared and I felt like I was working with a close family friend (having never met her before the process began). I can’t emphasis enough how seamless she made the process for me. People have the perception that buying a house is an extremely stressful process. My experience could not have been farther from the truth. I joked with her at times how smooth/easy buying a house was, all because of Vicki!

I could not have asked for a better agent. I’ve already referred a few friends to Vicki and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks again, Vicki!

Blessed to have connected with Kristen! I can’t say enough great things about Kristen. Her professionalism, market knowledge, and communication were beyond compare. She was incredibly patient throughout our home search. We looked at a countless amount of homes (we are very picky), and never once felt she was trying to push us in to something that wasn’t the right fit for the sake of a sale. We always felt she had our best interest in mind. Couldn’t recommend her more!!!

Sally was referred to me via a business network when I first moved to Austin in 2022. She helped me understand the area, evaluate my options, and find the perfect spot in a tough market. Sally has been a joy to work with because she creates partnerships + friendships with her clients!

I was impressed by Sally’s expertise in selling both my investment property and my primary residence, and in helping us buy our dream home. At our initial meeting, we found Sally knew the real estate market, but found even more impressive her emotional quotient in understanding and navigating the differences between my partner’s and my very different personalities. For my investment property, she timed the showings and sale perfectly and created a helpful Excel spreadsheet comparing the many offers. She was also savvy enough to suggest we pay the tenants a fair amount of money to make the property available for viewing from 9am – 5pm on the first weekend to make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to get through, and we let her deal directly with the tenants because we could tell her people skills would serve us well

We got multiple offers by the deadline on Monday afternoon with one outlier that was $150K higher than what we had unsuccessfully listed the property for (with a different realtor) a year earlier!

When it came to selling my primary home, Sally’s expertise in the luxury market, and in historic homes in particular, truly shone. She understood that selling a high-end property, with various restrictions, required a different approach. Sally crafted a listing for the home that perfectly captured its unique character and premier location. Her marketing strategy was well timed and appropriate for the more limited market, attracting the right buyer pool and creating a sense of exclusivity around the property. She suggested listing it on the private market for a week or two before sending a message that it would be listed on the MLS. She organized private showings that allowed buyers to experience the warmth and charm of the home and the neighborhood, which I believe was instrumental in securing a sale.

The pricing and marketing strategy Sally recommended was spot-on, and we sold the home at a price that far exceeded our expectations. Sally helped thread the needle perfectly.

Sally is also accessible. We found more well-known realtors would respond to our email days later, whereas she was always available right away to answer my questions, and provided us with regular updates, making sure every detail was handled with care. Selling a high-end property can be a stressful experience with fewer potential buyers and some downtime inherent in waiting for the right buyer, but Sally made it a smooth and surprisingly easy process encouraging us to be patient while giving us enough information on what was happening to satisfy both me and my partner. In the end, we were thrilled with the results

Sally’s rep of us as sellers could not have been more professional, but her work repping us as buyers is the most memorable. We were trying to be our dream home in an overheated market, and Sally gave us advice that at each turn proved invaluable. She recommended offering just the right amount above the offer price for us to make it to the next round of offers. She handled a very difficult appraisal process by advising us on financing sources, even offering to help us put down a higher amount by loaning us money herself! We were able to finance the home without taking her up on that offer, but how many realtors make that kind of offer to their clients? In the end, we closed on the house ontime and ended up with the home of our dreams, thanks to Sally’s world-class advice and service.

We cannot say enough good things about Sally’s technical knowledge, people skills, and responsiveness. You won’t find a better realtor in Austin.

I have lived here in Austin for more twenty-five years, and have bought and sold several homes and rented others during those years. I have worked with five realtors during that time. SALLY IS BY FAR THE BEST OF ANY IN TOWN. Her work ethic is simply unmatched. She hides her competitive streak underneath a layer of Austin hip and friendly, but she will absolutely get you the best home, the best deal, and stop at NOTHING to get your home sold as well!

Sally loves real estate. She has a genuine passion for Austin, too, and for her client’s well-being. She took time to understand my needs and was always available to answer any questions and provide me with honest and insightful advice.

We toured many homes in Barton Hills and settled on a great home that was hotly contested by builders and homeowners. Sally understood how we could be the preferred buyer without getting into a bidding war. She knew the motivations of the Seller and we maneuvered and negotiated the contract and secured my dream home.

Furthermore, at the 11th hour, the day before we were set to close, our lender said we needed to put a fence around the pool before they would release the funds. The seller was not inclined to extend the closing again. We were out of town. Sally saved the day by racing to Home Depot and getting the largest tarpaulin available and then securing it over the pool at the house. Sent pics to the lender and we were set to close.

In short, Sally will work harder and smarter than anyone. She’s simply the best.

Sally is incredible! She spent nearly 2 years with us – understanding our very specific preferences and needs – to help us find our dream home. She was the first agent to reach out when the home was listed and negotiated the contract astutely so that we secured the home. The home was only in the framed stage, still had a few months until completion. Once it was completed, however, our plans had changed and we needed to get out of the contract. We were expecting to have to relinquish our very considerable deposit. But Sally spent the entire weekend working on a way to get us out of the contract AND get our deposit back. Everyone we have spoken to about this extraordinary outcome has been surprised that Sally managed to get our deposit back for us. Thank you Sally, we can’t recommend her highly enough.

Sally is reliable, diligent in her research, prompt on exchanges, creative in deal making, and has a tremendous work ethic. She is the sole reason we were able to close on our primary residence, which has been our dream home and a fantastic investment. From there, we’ve gone on to close on multiple rental property purchases in Austin together. Thanks to her astute analysis, we’ve passed on many deals as well, which has proven just as valuable. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

I highly recommend Kiel if you’re looking to rent a place in Austin. We originally met him to look around a particular unit, and when it was not to our satisfaction, he was able to quickly take us around many more units that day. He also set up a whole day of viewings for the very next day! Within 48 hours we had done enough viewings to be confident in choosing a new home. The landlord accepted our offer and Kiel handled all of the paperwork, even stopping by our hotel to pick up the needed checks. We couldn’t be happier.
Kiel is highly organized and unlike some realtors in the Austin area, he is responsive and ready to move quickly. We were always able to contact him and never left waiting.
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