Does where you live affect your mental health?

[superstarheartbreaker]

I live in the small town I grew up in . It was never my plan but I moved bk here when I got pregnant.

Pros:
my dad and close friends live here so offer lots of support.
Good schools.
Low crime rates.
Green fields etc.
Mh support

Cons
Lots of triggers due to abusive ex was here.
Dad interfering.
Not much night life
Limited career opportunities
Not diverse/ cosmopolitan
Crap shops
Small town mentality
I feel like I never spread my wings.
I miss urban life.

I feel trapped tbh. My mental health is the main reason why I'm scared to move...what if I can't cope in a new city.

I think it doesn't help if you are living somewhere that triggers bad memories for you.

Is there a balance, living close enough for support but also commutable to a city for jobs?

Change and moving house can be stressful in itself.

You take the weather with you with MH.
I'm happier now in grimy south London than I was in the sunshine with a beautiful view and a pool, but that's because I'm better.
It's finely balanced for you though- family support v triggering ex.

I think I'm definitely happier back in London. But it's not just the opportunities and dynamics of urban life, it's where I grew up and I have my family around me. I used to live in a place with a small town mentality and the crap shops/dull night life sort of thing you describe and I hated it. I'm involved in MH services here though and lots of people who move to London from outside the area do find it tough to settle I think. Even those who seem very successful on the surface.

I think I can't take much more tbh. Went out tonight to a local bar which used to be rammed and we were the only people there. Depressing.

Definitely, I grew up in the countryside. Peace & quiet, lots of places to roam with the odd pub thrown in for lunches & socialising.

Now live in a town that is loud, dirty & has more & more people moving into the area daily. I hate it but can't afford to move, the road we are in is quiet enough but I feel I need space to breathe!