一对在纽约和波士顿生活多年的夫妇，厌倦了都市的快节奏，决定搬离城市。他们发现郊区并不适合没有孩子的夫妻，于是将目光投向了海岸边的康涅狄格州小镇。这个拥有迷人社区、便利步行和独特魅力的海滨村庄，让他们找到了理想的家园。在这里，他们享受着如同电影般的慢生活，与邻居建立联系，并在日常生活中发现了许多小确幸。此外，作为“镇上人”，作者也学会了如何更聪明地旅行，深入了解当地文化。

✨ 厌倦都市生活，夫妇选择移居海滨小镇：作者和丈夫在纽约和波士顿度过了多年城市生活后，发现自己对快节奏的“ hustle-and-grind”感到厌倦，渴望更宁静的生活方式。他们最初考虑过郊区，但很快意识到那里的生活方式更适合有孩子的家庭，而作为一对没有孩子的夫妇，他们觉得格格不入，并且预算也难以找到心仪的房产。

🏡 寻找更适合的居所，情定康涅狄格海滨村庄：在寻找新家时，他们将目光转向了海岸边的罗德岛和康涅狄格州。最终，他们被康涅狄格州一个风景如画的海滨小镇深深吸引。这里的房屋规模更适合他们两人（和一只猫）居住，并且靠近村庄，生活便利，有许多值得探索的地方。在实地考察时，他们在海滨的咖啡馆享受了一杯饮品，并立刻决定这里就是他们理想的“永远的家”。

🚶‍♀️ 步行便利性，重塑生活体验：作者特别强调了对“步行便利性”的看重，这是她离开城市生活后最重要的考量之一。在城市生活多年，她放弃了驾照，希望生活在一个不需要完全依赖汽车的地方。如今，他们夫妻俩大部分时间都在家远程工作，每周仅需驾车两三次。这种生活方式让她能减少在路上的时间，有更多时间在家中和户外度过，并且通过日常散步与邻居建立真实的社区联系，这对心理健康至关重要。

✈️ 从“镇上人”视角，提升旅行智慧：作者发现，作为小镇的常年居民，她在应对旅游旺季方面学到了很多，这意外地提升了她自己的旅行体验。她学会了放慢节奏，倾听当地人的建议，不再提前预订所有行程。她分享了在佛蒙特州旅行时，通过与当地酒保聊天，获得了关于一家地道德国餐厅和一条隐秘的瀑布徒步路线的宝贵信息。她认为，友善的态度和慷慨的小费在小镇文化中非常重要。

💖 感恩当下，珍惜“目的地”生活：尽管热爱旅行，但作者表示，搬到这个舒适的海滨村庄后，她对回家的感觉更加积极。村庄全年都有丰富的活动，如海滩散步、逛精品店、皮划艇租赁等，这些都是人们渴望体验的。她认为，虽然心态最重要，但能够生活在一个被许多人视为“目的地”的地方，是值得感恩和珍惜的。

After years in cities like New York and Boston, my husband and I felt ready to move into a house.We realized quickly that a suburb wasn't the right fit for us as a child-free couple.We fell in love with a coastal Connecticut village, and adore the community, walkability, and charm.

Almost five years ago, my husband and I made a decision: It was time to move out of our city rental and into a house somewhere else.

It was a choice no one expected from me, a lifelong city girl. After spending a long stint in New York and then a few years in Boston with my spouse, though, I found myself growing tired of the hustle-and-grind lifestyle.

We started our search in the Boston suburbs, but there were two major issues. First, we couldn't find a home we loved within our budget. Second, as a child-free couple, we quickly realized that the suburbs are geared toward families with children.

We didn't need four or five bedrooms, and we didn't want to be the only people in our social circle without kids.

So, we started looking at houses in coastal Rhode Island and Connecticut, and found ourselves visiting charming homes that were more suited to the size of our family (that is, two people and a cat). We loved that many of them were near villages with lots to do.

When my husband and I first looked at our now-home in a small Connecticut coastal village, we walked through the neighborhood, enjoyed a drink at a waterfront spot, and decided this would be our forever place.

We made an offer on the house, and we haven't looked back since.

I spend my days feeling like I live in a Nancy Meyers movie

Many people decorate their homes and gardens to try to replicate Nancy Meyers's easy-breezy aesthetic in their own lives, and who can blame them?

Living in a coastal New England village that's part Meyers with a heavy dose of "Gilmore Girls" makes it easy to appreciate the small parts of my day-to-day life.

Now, I run into neighbors on my daily morning walks. I'm a regular at my favorite café. I even get to pet a cat named Clancy at least twice a week (he sits outside his house to monitor the comings and goings).

Living in a walkable village makes it easy to get places and meet new people

Speaking of walking around town, the top thing on my checklist when we left city life was walkability, which is hard to come by in the suburbs.

I didn't have my license — I gave it up when I lived in New York — and wanted to be somewhere I wasn't completely lost without a car.

Since we are both lucky enough to work remotely, we probably drive just two or three times a week. I love minimizing my time in the car; it helps me spend more time at home and outdoors.

I'm also a big believer that building IRL community is important for mental health, and there's no better way to do that than by strolling around town.

After living life as a 'townie,' I've become a smarter traveler

One of the most surprising parts of becoming a "townie" in a small village with lots of attractions is how learning to navigate the tourist season at home has improved my own travel experiences.

I already had city behavior locked down (walk fast, never stop and stare). What I've learned in a small village, though, is that slowing down and listening to locals is really helpful.

Now, whenever my husband and I travel to smaller towns, we don't book any excursions or adventures in advance unless they're an absolute must. When we arrive, we spend the first day walking around and finding a local pub or restaurant.

I've learned that if you can get a nice chat going with a bartender or barista while they're less busy, you can usually get some good recommendations for things to do that are off the beaten path.

Recently, while visiting Vermont, I got tips from a local about a great German restaurant a little off the tourist strip, along with a hike that ended at a waterfall. Friendly energy goes a long way in a small town — as do generous tips!

Whenever I come home from a trip, I pinch myself that I get to live here

No matter how much I love to travel, I've always looked forward to coming home to my own bed.

Still, the slide back into the routine can be painful. Since moving to my cozy coastal village, I feel that pain a whole lot less.

With lots to do, like beach walks, quaint shops, kayak rentals, and more, I'm busy year-round with activities people travel across the ocean to experience.

Of course, no matter where you live, state of mind is most important — find things you love in your community and embrace them! That said, I know I live in a place that others consider a destination, and that's something I never take for granted.