Does anyone feel a really strong connection with a place they don't live or haven't been to?

[ToooOldForThis]

I have this, and when I went there it felt so familiar and "right". It's not where I live, and probably never could live, but I feel like i belong there! (Completely different country. And continent!) I'm fully aware I'm probably influenced by books, TV etc but I've just never been able to shake this feeling!

Just me then

In an alternate reality, I live alone in the heart of Manhattan and am 100% content there

Never been, never a fan of Sex in the City, love city life. I've floated the idea to dh once our kids move out of me just renting an Air bnb or similar for a month and just trying the lifestyle out for curiosity sake.

I felt it in 1999. Finally moved there this year. Couldn't be happier, or feel more 'at home'.

Yes. Always knew I needed to go there and when I did I felt totally at home. For practical reasons I can't live there but I do visit every year and it's so peaceful to be there.

Oh, yes. The first time I went there, a local (complete stranger) greeted me with the words 'You on your way home, love?'

Oh wow! Loving that people have actually moved. I don't think that's ever going to be possible for me, even visiting much isn't affordable. But when I did visit, it felt like such a strong feeling of aaah this is it!

Where is it OP?
This might be a bit different but I have an absent parent from a county far, far away which I have never visited. I always wondered if I went there, would everyone have the same face, skin, hair as me and I would think 'ah, this is where I'm supposed to be'. I'd be surprised as I genuinely feel that I am British to my core, cold, awkward, polite, insincere, obsession with the weather etc.

Yes , I feel it whenever I go to Wales!

I have this weird feeling about japan.

never been, no specialist knowledge, but every time i see Japanese domestic life on tv or in a book it somehow feels right and like something to do with me. i don’t say this outloud because i don’t want people to know i’m barking 😁

@cerealatmidnight it's really random, but north east US/ new England...I fully accept that I've probably been conditioned by watching hundreds of films and reading books. But when I went there it felt so familiar and just like home. I've loved everywhere I've travelled to but never had that feeling anywhere else.

Yes. And I ended up moving there. 🙂

Not quite the same, but I often feel that I should have been Jewish. I’ve honestly got no idea why!

Yes
I moved there having never visited before. It was everything and more. I had to return for boring reasons.
But luckily I have my eye on a few other places I feel the same about… I always think they’re my secret exit plan for when everything goes tits up.

I feel like I would really suit Scotland. I've never been but have Scottish ancestry. I wish I could move there! Perhaps I would stick out too much though with my very non-Scottish accent.

I feel exactly the same about this area of America as well. It just feels so homely and cosy to me. I think New York State is it for me.

Another one saying America.

But also...Africa, and I know it's a huge continent but I don't know anything about its countries. I just have this sense though sometimes, just before twilight, looking at the sky I get this yearning for Africa. Also when I hear some music.

Dont know why, I've never been and I have zero African ancestry. It's weird.

Yes - big city in a different country but the journey there feels like going home and when I'm there I just fall into step with the place and feel like I belong

"My" America isnt new england style though, it's new Mexico, Arizona. Just feel like I should be there driving down the roads

I’ve not been back to the city went to university in for years, but it has a very special place in my heart.

I feel like this about Sweden (specifically the Swedish countryside).

I do watch a lot of Nordic Noir and scandi dramas and when I see the countryside landscapes on the TV or in pictures it just makes me feel like I can breathe.

Admittedly I've never been to that area of the world at all so I might go one day and never feel that way again. But in my mind there's just something about it that makes me feel "at home" and settled, like if I moved there I'd be done and be living my proper life,not like now where I'm always having to try and get to the next stage.

Yes, definitely.

It felt like going home, more so than going to my actual home ever has, quite literally from the first time I set eyes on it driving into it.

Fortunately it's in the UK and so am I so visiting is difficult due to journey length but not to the degree of it being abroad. Until a few years ago when living costs increase and lockdown happened I've been there once a year, it always delivers the same feeling and I feel myself exhaling in relief and feeling I've come home as soon as I get there.

I don't think I'd move there, not least because property is extortionate and he job market poor, but I can't wait to go back whenever that's next financially feasible.

Yes swansea, moved there in 2000 without ever visiting, returned up north when my partner finished uni, moved back in 2017 and will remain her forever. I I feel more for Swansea than my home town to be honest. Can't explain it, but swansea is my home. Luckily the people are lovely to me and have adopted😀

Iceland. I had that exact feeling as soon as we landed. The other-wordly landscape, climate, welcoming people (and home of my favourite band). It just felt right.

🤦‍♀️
It's literally in the title, guys. Places you've never been to...

Yes. I often remember life as a student in the 80’s in Edinburgh. I was actually about 7 living in London. But I really vividly have flashback and fond memories of my ‘time’ there. It’s very odd!

i have been to Edinburgh as an adult and didn’t feel any particular connection!