Moving to a new city at 21 feels different than traveling to one. You’re not just trying to check boxes off your bucket list—you’re learning how it feels to exist there. My first week living in San Francisco has been less about seeing everything and more about settling into the quiet excitement of starting over somewhere new.
I moved here with my boyfriend, which instantly made the city feel less intimidating. Instead of feeling like outsiders trying to “do” San Francisco, we’ve been easing into it together—building little routines before we even realized that’s what we were doing.
Most days have revolved around walking. Long walks around the entire city, going up hills that humble me to see the beautiful view of our new home. No destination, no rush—just moving through neighborhoods, talking, stopping for coffee, and slowly letting the city introduce itself to us. One of my favorite days was when we packed a lunch, walked a couple of miles to The Painted Ladies, and had a picnic in the park. It was perfect.
Food has already become a huge part of our routine here. We’ve discovered a few new Thai spots that feel warm and comforting in a way only neighborhood places can. One night we ducked into a tiny hole-in-the-wall dumpling place, the kind of spot you’d miss if you weren’t paying attention. It wasn’t fancy, but it was perfect, and it felt like the start of a long list of “our places.”
Evenings have been simple and slow. Cooking together, decompressing from the day, talking about what this year might look like. Something is grounding about experiencing a new city with someone who already feels like home. Every unfamiliar street feels easier when you’re learning it side by side.
San Francisco doesn’t feel like a destination—it already feels like a chapter. One where the moments that matter aren’t big or curated, but quiet and shared: sore legs from walking too much, late dinners, laughing over nothing, and soaking up every minute of being right here, right now.
This is just the beginning, but it already feels like the kind of beginning I’ll want to remember.
With love, Ava
Ava Stepanian 