Asking Eric: Young Adult Hates New City Home
The writer says they have struggled to make friends and now spends most time and money visiting friends back home.
- A reader identified as Homesick is considering returning home after struggling in their new city for a few years, questioning whether leaving is truly adult.
- Following a job shift and breakup, Homesick relocated to the big city for a change of pace but reports struggling to understand social rhythms and making friends.
- Spending most of their time and money visiting friends back home, Homesick feels they are not one of those people who can make the city work.
- Advice columnist Eric Thomas validated the reader's feelings, telling Homesick to "get those moving boxes ready" and noting that "Current You" has different needs than "Past You."
- Thomas urged Homesick not to "chastise yourself for changing your mind," encouraging them to "congratulate yourself on learning more about yourself.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Asking Eric: I feel embarrassed to flee home after move to the big city, but I hate it here
Dear Eric: I moved to a new city a few years ago because I felt like I needed a change of pace after a job change and a breakup. I’m 32, if that helps. It’s a big city that a lot of people like. I’m not one of those people. I’ve really tried it, but I don’t understand the social rhythms, I’ve struggled to make friends, and I just plain don’t like being here. I spend most of my time (and money) visiting friends back home. I feel like it’s not ver…
Asking Eric: I hate living in the city. Am I a loser for wanting to go back home?
Dear Eric: I moved to a new city a few years ago because I felt like I needed a change of pace after a job change and a breakup. I’m 32, if that helps. It’s a big city that a lot of people like. I’m not one of those people. I’ve really tried it, but I don’t understand the social rhythms, I’ve struggled to make friends, and I just plain don’t like being here. I spend most of my time (and money) visiting friends back home.
Denver Post
Asking Eric: Young adult hates new city home
Advice columnist R. Eric Thomas answers his readers' questions in this May 16, 2026 edition of Asking Eric.
Asking Eric: Should I move back to my hometown after a failed attempt in a new city?
Dear Eric: I moved to a new city a few years ago because I felt like I needed a change of pace after a job change and a breakup. I’m 32, if that helps. It’s a big city that a lot of people like. I’m not one of those people. I’ve really tried it, but I don’t understand the social rhythms, I’ve struggled to make friends, and I just plain don’t like being here. I spend most of my time (and money) visiting friends back home. I feel like it’s not ver…
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Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
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