The Place that Serves You

When people think about investing, they usually think about stocks, real estate, or

401(k) funds. But one of the most powerful investments you can make is in where you

live.

A few years ago, my wife and I made a deliberate decision to move to the Texas Hill

Country. We were drawn to its vastness and sense of connection. A place where people

prioritize health, spirituality, and community.

We found a neighborhood where folks walk together in the mornings, attend local

farmers markets, and genuinely look out for one another. It’s not just scenic, it’s

supportive. That move didn’t just change our address; it changed how we live.

We spend more time outdoors running and biking with friends, have a biweekly dinner

with six of our neighborhood couple friends and their kids, and have deeper

conversations with neighbors who’ve become close friends. Our kids see what

community looks like, not because we told them, but because they live it every day.

Most of us spend our lives chasing things we believe will serve us well: the right job, the

right home, the right partner, even down to the right pair of shoes we wear on our feet

(On Cloud’s for the win!). But too often, we overlook one of the most influential

relationships we’ll ever have: the one we have with place.

Where we live, not just the house, but the community, the people, the pace, even the air

we breathe shapes nearly every aspect of our lives.

According to researcher and author Ryan Frederick, place has one of the most profound

influences on our health, happiness, and longevity. It can elevate our sense of purpose,

deepen our relationships, and support our physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Or it can do the exact opposite.

Living in the wrong place is like swimming against the current. You can do it for a while,

but eventually, it wears you down. Frederick’s research highlights five key areas, each a

pillar of well-being that the wrong place can quietly erode.

1. Undermines Purpose

The wrong environment doesn’t just fail to inspire it actively works against you. It might

be a city that prizes speed when you crave stillness, or an embedded culture that

doesn’t align with your values. Over time, that mismatch can dull your sense of

direction. Purpose thrives when you feel at home in your surroundings.

2. Impedes Relationships

We’re wired for connection, but if your environment discourages interaction whether

through physical distance, lack of shared values, or transient communities it’s easy to drift into isolation. Studies show that 50% of a person’s social circle changes every

seven years, meaning that your surroundings play a huge role in shaping who you

meet, spend time with, and ultimately become.

3. Harms Physical Health

The wrong place makes healthy living harder. Whether it’s long commutes, lack of

access to nature, or poor walkability, your environment can quietly influence your body

as much as your mind. The right place encourages movement, rest, and rhythm. It’s not

just where you live; it’s how you live there.

4. Hurts Financial Health

Sometimes, people live in places that look successful but feel stressful. If the cost of

living keeps you in constant “catch up” mode, even beautiful surroundings can start to

feel heavy. It’s hard to find peace when every month feels like survival mode. The right

place supports your finances whether that’s lower property taxes, reduced cost of living,

or simply less pressure to keep up. “It’s not how big the house is, it’s how happy the

home is.”

5. Deters Community Engagement

The wrong place leaves you uninspired to get involved. You don’t vote, volunteer, or

attend local events because it doesn’t feel like your place. But when you find a

community that reflects your values, engagement happens naturally. You want to

contribute to what you care about and the future impact it has.

So, choosing the right place isn’t just about lifestyle; it’s about longevity. People who live

in communities that align with their values and needs live longer, happier lives. They

report higher levels of meaning and connection, and they tend to maintain

independence later in life.

That’s not to say the right place is permanent. Life stages shift, kids grow up, and

priorities evolve. A place that served you in your thirties may not serve you in your

seventies. The point is not to plant roots once and for all, but to periodically ask, “Does

this place still serve the life I want to live?”

Triathlon finish with neighborhood friends

With that said, go out of your way to meet a new neighbor today, you never know what that interaction will bring you two next.