A real-life journey from the Midwest to the California coast
Living in the United States was never just about traveling for me.
It was about stepping into entirely different ways of living — some slower, some overwhelming, all deeply transformative.
From quiet suburban mornings in Clarkston to coastal sunsets in San Clemente, this wasn’t just a route across a country.
It was a journey across versions of myself.
And the truth is — there isn’t just one way to live in the U.S.
There are many.
📍 The Midwest — Quiet Life & the “Real” America
My journey began in Clarkston, a small town near Detroit.
Life there felt… still.
Not empty — but structured, calm, almost predictable in a way that felt unfamiliar coming from Brazil.
Nearby places like Rochester Hills showed me a version of suburban American life that is rarely portrayed:
Clean streets
Organized routines
Quiet neighborhoods
There was no rush — and no pressure to constantly be “somewhere else.”
This is where I learned something unexpected:
Living in the U.S. isn’t always fast-paced.
Sometimes, it’s deeply simple.
🌿 North Carolina — Balance Between City & Nature
Then came Raleigh — and everything shifted again.
Here, life felt balanced.
Not too slow, not too intense — just enough of both.
I explored places like:
- Wilmington — with its coastal charm
- Charlotte — with its growing city energy
And most of my days were filled with:
Hiking
Road trips
Long walks through parks
North Carolina taught me:
You don’t need chaos to feel alive.
Sometimes, nature gives you everything you’re looking for.
🎢 Ohio — A Shift in Pace
Not everything in this journey was slow.
One of the most unexpected moments was visiting Cedar Point — known as the roller coaster capital of the world.
It was fast, loud, adrenaline-filled — a complete contrast to the quiet rhythm I had been living.
And somehow, it fit perfectly into the experience.
🗽 Living Near New York — Proximity Without the Chaos
I also experienced life near New York City, staying in New Rochelle.
Instead of being inside the intensity, I observed it from a distance.
I would take the train into the city when I wanted — and leave when I needed space.
That changed my perspective completely:
You don’t have to live in the center of everything
to experience everything.
🌴 Florida — Lightness, Ocean & Simplicity
Then came one of the most memorable chapters: Florida.
From the energy of Orlando to the quiet rhythm of Cocoa Beach, life started to feel lighter.
Days felt slower.
The air felt warmer.
Everything felt… easier.
There was something uniquely surreal about watching rocket launches from SpaceX 🚀 — moments that made everything feel both small and infinite at the same time.
Florida felt like:
Freedom.
Sunlight.
Simplicity.
🚗 The Roadtrip — Crossing the Country
One of the most defining experiences of my life was driving across the United States.
From:
Orlando
Tallahassee
Houston
San Antonio
Through New Mexico
El Paso
Grand Canyon
Phoenix
San Diego
Sleeping in rest areas.
Driving through endless desert roads.
Watching landscapes shift in ways that didn’t feel real.
This wasn’t just travel.
It was transformation.
🌊 California — A Different Kind of Freedom
Arriving in San Clemente felt like exhaling.
Everything slowed down again — but in a completely different way.
Ocean views
Surf culture
Intentional routines
There was beauty everywhere — but also a certain intensity beneath it.
California felt like:
Freedom, but with awareness.
Beauty, but with contrast.
🌅 The West Coast — Movement & Perspective
Before leaving, I continued exploring the West Coast.
From:
San Diego
Through Los Angeles
To San Francisco
And then inland:
Sacramento
Reno
Passing through places like Fresno, and exploring landscapes like:
Lake Tahoe
Joshua Tree
California showed me contrast.
Not just beauty — but depth.
🛣️ Route 66 — Another Side of America
Part of the journey followed the historic Route 66.
And this version of America felt different.
Through:
Flagstaff
Albuquerque
Amarillo
Dallas
It was less polished.
More raw.
More real.
🌾 The Southern Return
Continuing back through:
Jackson
Pensacola
Jacksonville
Sleeping again in rest areas — feeling the mix of:
Freedom
Exhaustion
Reflection
👻 Savannah — Atmosphere & History
One of the most unique stops was Savannah.
With its historic streets, quiet corners, and mysterious atmosphere, it felt like stepping into another time.
Known for its ghost stories — and even as a filming location for The Vampire Diaries — it carried a different kind of energy.
🌴 Miami — Closing the Chapter
Returning to Miami felt different this time.
Slower.
More grounded.
More intentional.
I spent my days by the ocean, living a simple fitness routine — always with my dog, Alaska 🐾
One of the places that marked the end of this chapter was the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon.
A quiet setting where everything softened again.
🌿 The End… and a New Beginning
After nearly three years living across the United States, something inside me shifted.
Not suddenly — but clearly.
I knew it was time to leave.
Not because I had to.
But because I was ready.
This journey was never just about places.
It was about:
Growth
Change
Letting go
Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is:
close a chapter — and trust what comes next.
💰 Travel Resources
If you’re planning a similar journey, these are tools I personally recommend:
✈️ Flights
Use platforms to compare the best deals.
🏨 Accommodation
Whether you’re staying short-term or long-term:
🚤 Experiences
For unforgettable moments by the ocean, I recommend Samboat — perfect for exploring coastal destinations in a different way.
🎟 Attractions
If you’re visiting major cities like New York or Orlando, using Turbopass can help you save money while experiencing more.
Living in the United States showed me that there isn’t just one way to live.
There are many versions of life:
- Quiet
- Adventurous
- Simple
- Free
- And even a touch of luxury
And sometimes, the most important thing is allowing yourself to experience them all.
If you’ve ever felt the desire to build a life where you can move, explore, and choose where to live
I share the path I’m building to make that possible.
