Emma Kershaw cherished her apartment with sweeping views of Puget Sound, yet experienced significant challenges while commuting to and from Seattle. This contradiction serves as the backdrop to her remarkable journey, which reflects a quest for belonging and adventure.

In early 2024, Kershaw made a bold decision to leave behind her life in the bustling metropolis of New York City and venture to the West Coast, specifically Seattle. Her inspiration stemmed from childhood memories of visiting her mothers cousin in western Washington. The picturesque landscapes depicted in the popular "Twilight" franchise further fueled her dream of one day living in this stunning region. Finally, after a stint in New York that lasted approximately ten months and was marked by instability due to the inability to secure a lease, Kershaw seized the opportunity to relocate.

Upon her arrival in Seattle, Kershaw hoped to embrace a new chapter filled with excitement and adventure. However, her initial expectations soon clashed with the realities of life in her new home. A year later, she found herself packing her bags and returning to the familiar streets of New York City.

During her time in Seattle, she signed a six-month lease on an apartment in Kitsap County, located roughly 15 miles outside the city, accessible primarily by ferry. Her apartment was nothing short of spectacular, boasting panoramic views of the Puget Sound where she often spotted sea lions and, on rare occasions, orcas swimming by. The apartment's proximity to the Washington State Ferry terminal allowed for relatively quick access to downtown Seattle, with options for a fast ferry ride taking about 30 minutes for a small fee of $2, or a complimentary larger ferry that took about an hour.

While Kershaw found the ferry rides reminiscent of her New York experiencewhere long commutes are commonshe soon discovered that the operational schedule of Seattles ferries posed a significant inconvenience. The fast ferry, which was notably smaller, only ran eight times a day, often at unpredictable intervals. During peak hours, riders frequently found themselves waiting in long lines for a chance to board, sometimes enduring waits of up to an hour. An unexpected delay could add two hours to her schedule, particularly for meetings in Seattle. Dining out or enjoying nightlife became a logistical challenge, as she would either have to catch the last ferry at 10 p.m. or wait until the early morning hours for the next one. One particular night, after meeting a friend, Kershaw missed the 10 p.m. ferry and had to wait until 12:50 a.m. to return home, arriving just after 2 a.m. While the ferry rides provided a sense of safety, she often felt uneasy navigating the late-night Seattle streets alone.

Although public transportation was a frustrating aspect of her experience, it was not the primary challenge she faced while living in Seattle. Kershaw had envisioned a lifestyle filled with outdoor adventureshiking in the majestic landscapes of Olympic National Park and enjoying the beach. However, without a drivers license, she quickly realized that her dreams of exploration would require navigating a series of bus transfers, making such outings nearly impossible and time-consuming.

Despite having family in the area, including her mothers cousin, Kershaw found it challenging to establish connections and make friends. Before her move, she had heard tales of the so-called "Seattle freeze," a phenomenon describing the difficulty newcomers often face when trying to form social bonds in the city. She made attempts to engage with locals by smiling and striking up conversations at coffee shops, but often received cold responses or indifference. In an effort to expand her social circle, she tried using Bumble BFF and joined various Facebook groups, including Seattles Girl Group. Yet, her efforts yielded little success; planned meetups frequently fell through, hindered by the unreliable ferry schedule that complicated getting out to bars or social events.

As time went on, Kershaw began to miss the vibrant hustle and bustle of New York City. There were moments in Seattle where she would go nearly an entire week without stepping outside her home due to the absence of companionship. The small town atmosphere of Kitsap County, heavily populated with military personnel and retirees, contrasted sharply with the lively social scene she had enjoyed in New York, where she routinely attended media events and social gatherings multiple times a week. Ultimately, the absence of a robust social life became a pivotal factor in her decision to return home.

In April, just over a year after her bold move, Kershaw packed her bags and made the journey back to New York City. While she does not regret her time spent in Seattle, she has come to appreciate that New York is where her heart truly lies. Her experience in Washington was not wasted; instead, it served as a profound learning opportunity. Kershaw discovered a great deal about herself and her preferences, ultimately reaffirming her identity as a proud New Yorker. "I truly feel alive in this city," she reflects, grateful for the lessons learned during her time away, but firmly rooted in her love for New York.