Picking A Place of Value(s)

My next step toward a life of meaning, purpose, and joy was to focus on place.

After completing the “three phases of life” exercise and revisiting The Hobbit, I started thinking about finding a real-world version of Rivendell. At the time, I was living near Tampa, Florida—and when I looked around, I realized this wasn’t it.

My company was going through a major restructuring, and my division was set to downsize and eventually close. That created an opportunity to relocate.

I had previously lived in Colorado, Oregon, and Minnesota—and I would have chosen any of them over Tampa. Beyond the beach (which was a 20-mile drive anyway), it never felt like a fit. I was, simply put, a bit of a misfit there.

So I got intentional.

I created a grid: a list of places I’d lived or considered, and a set of factors that mattered to me—cost of living, housing, natural beauty (mountains, water, forests), weather, schools, universities, and cultural offerings like music, art, and museums.

When I scored everything, a few cities rose to the top. Seattle ranked highest.

Then something interesting happened.

When the restructuring began, I asked my boss about potential relocation options. He mentioned Florida, maybe Texas, Virginia—and almost as an afterthought—Seattle.

That moment stuck with me.

Looking back, I didn’t fully realize it then, but this revealed a core truth: where I live matters deeply. The criteria I used weren’t random—they were reflections of my underlying values.

Those values have evolved and sharpened over time. But this was a pivotal step in my journey toward freedom, creative integrity, and a more intentional life by design.

It wasn’t the final answer—but it was a clear signal.

If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?