I moved from California to Texas for a fresh start. It was much more affordable there, but I was still unhappy and moved back.

Priscila Barros regretted leaving California for Texas, so she moved back. Courtesy of Priscila Barros In 2021, single mom Priscila Barros left California for Houston, seeking a lower cost of living. Barros bought a cheaper home, but Houston's heat and traffic left her unimpressed and homesick. In 2025, she returned to California with her children and said it was the best decision. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Priscila Barros, 41, who works in social media and freel...