My boyfriend and I moved from Minnesota to Oregon on a whim. I hated it for the first year, but I stuck it out anyway.

• After living in Minnesota for most of my life, I decided to move to Oregon on a whim. • During my first year in Oregon, I struggled to feel at home and find a meaningful community. • After finding my confidence, I put myself out there and gained a new appreciation for Oregon.

I have lived most of my life in Minnesota, and, like any good Midwesterner, I planned to grow old in the state. I wanted to live close to my family and friends. I was ready to settle in and call Minneapolis home for the rest of my life.

I built a community I loved, and had my little routines down pat. I biked to sunrise yoga at Lake Harriet in the summer, grabbed countless loaves of sourdough from my favorite bakery across the street, and joined an adult swim team at my local community pool each week.

So when