This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Scranton chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.<\/p>\n
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer\u2019s own and do not reflect the views of The University of Scranton.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s something uniquely satisfying about living just far enough from home to enjoy the freedom and independence of being on your own, yet close enough that you\u2019re never too far out of reach. Living two hours away from my hometown has proven to be the perfect balance. I can continue to embrace being from outside Philadelphia while learning to love the community of Scranton.<\/p>\n
I love it and think it\u2019s the perfect match for anyone seeking independence and closeness.<\/p>\n
1. The Freedom of Independence<\/p>\n
Living two hours away has given me the invaluable gift of independence. In many ways, this distance has allowed me to experience life on my own terms. Free from the daily influence of family or the expectations of my hometown. I\u2019ve learned to navigate the world in a way I wouldn\u2019t have been able to if I were living just around the corner from home.<\/p>\n
The ability to rely on myself has been a massive part of my growth. It\u2019s not just about the practical aspects of life; it\u2019s about the freedom to make decisions, take risks, and build a life that truly reflects who I am. Confidence comes from being far enough from home to step into your own life fully. Most of the kids from my high school all end up going to the same colleges as each other. When I first applied to colleges, I knew I didn\u2019t want college to be like part two of high school. I needed a change, to be on my own, and to make my own friends.<\/p>\n
2. Perfect Distance: Not Too Close, Not Too Far<\/p>\n
One of the best things about living two hours away is that I get to experience the perfect distance between my hometown and my new life. If necessary, I\u2019m close enough to pop home for a weekend, celebrate holidays with my family, or quickly check in at home when I need extra support. At the same time, I\u2019m far enough away that I don\u2019t feel tired by the daily pull of family obligations or the routines of my PT.<\/p>\n
This distance creates a kind of freedom I didn\u2019t realize I needed. I can make my own choices, set my own pace, and still be comfortable knowing if something urgent happens. I\u2019m just a two-hour drive up north. I get to be present when it counts but can also enjoy the quiet space that comes with a little distance.<\/p>\n
3. Scenic Drives<\/p>\n
There\u2019s something incredibly calming about the two-hour drive to Scranton. Taking the toll-free routes offers a chance to escape from the daily grind and enjoy the scenic beauty of the landscape. As I drive through rolling hills, through small towns, forests with trees transitioning between seasons, and through the beautiful Pocono Mountains, it\u2019s easy to get lost in the moment and find peace in the simplicity of the journey.<\/p>\n
The act of driving itself is almost meditative. It\u2019s a time when I can clear my head, reflect, and mentally prepare for whatever is ahead. I love blasting my music with the windows down and enjoying the scenery while I drive. The toll-free roads transform the drive from a simple commute into a peaceful retreat.<\/p>\n
4. Access to New Experiences<\/p>\n
Living in Scranton offers me the opportunity to explore a new town and culture while still being close enough to home to stay grounded. I\u2019ve discovered local cafes, quirky shops, and hidden gems such as malls and restaurants in the area that I would never have found if I lived closer to home. It\u2019s a small city with a lot of charm, and I\u2019ve enjoyed discovering its history, local events, and unique vibe.<\/p>\n
This also means I\u2019ve been able to build new friendships and create a support network in a place that\u2019s truly my own. While I still stay connected to family and old friends, I\u2019m carving out my space in an empowering way. Whether trying out a new restaurant or attending a community event, I feel like I\u2019m creating my traditions and memories here.<\/p>\n
5. Creating New Traditions<\/p>\n
Living two hours away means I\u2019m not locked in the old patterns and expectations of living at home. At the same time, I\u2019m not so far removed that I can\u2019t maintain those traditions that matter most to me. I still participate in family gatherings, but I also have the freedom to create my own traditions, whether Sunday brunch with friends or a quiet evening watching a movie.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the best of both worlds. I can enjoy the rituals that have always been a part of my life, but I also have the space to forge new ones that align with the person I\u2019m becoming. The two-hour distance gives me the right flexibility to balance old and new.<\/p>\n
6. Cost-Effective Yet Independent<\/p>\n
Another advantage of living a few hours away is the potential for more affordable living. Depending on the area, housing costs can be significantly lower than living in a larger city or near home. That means I can live in a place that feels like my own without the financial strain of living in more expensive urban areas.<\/p>\n
This affordability also means I can focus on my personal growth and explore new opportunities without worrying about paying room and board. I enjoy the luxury of independence while maintaining financial stability, a rare and valuable combination.<\/p>\n
7. Peace of Mind and Mental Space<\/p>\n
Living just far enough from home gives me the mental space to recharge. When you\u2019re not constantly in your family\u2019s orbit, it\u2019s easier to prioritize your own well-being and mental health. I can return to myself after a busy week, reflect on my goals, and return to home life with a fresh perspective.<\/p>\n
This distance also reduces the pressure to constantly participate in every family event or deal with every family issue. When I do return home, I am able to do so meaningfully without feeling overwhelmed or overburdened.<\/p>\n
8. Building Your Own Community<\/p>\n
One of the most rewarding parts of living away from home has been the freedom to build my own community. I\u2019ve had the chance to meet new people and forge new relationships, whether through work, hobbies, or the local area. In doing so, I\u2019ve found a group of friends and acquaintances who are a true reflection of my interests and values, independent of my family circle.<\/p>\n
Creating my own community in Scranton has allowed me to connect with people who understand me in ways that go beyond my history or upbringing. It\u2019s a place where I can be myself without the weight of preconceived expectations, and it\u2019s been an enriching experience. I don\u2019t have to pretend to be someone I\u2019m not just to fit in and be a part of the crowd. I get to be myself and start fresh. I get to befriend whoever I want, whether they are in my major or not.<\/p>\n
9. Control Over My Space<\/p>\n
Finally, living on my own terms means controlling every aspect of my living space. Whether decorating my dorm, organizing my schedule, or making the space feel like home, I can design my environment however I see fit. There\u2019s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing that every corner of my home reflects who I am.<\/p>\n
This sense of ownership extends beyond my space; it\u2019s about owning my life. Living two hours away from home allows me to manage my life as I see fit, making it a place to grow, relax, and reflect on the person I\u2019m becoming. I can do whatever I want without my parents having input or comments.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, living two hours away from home isn\u2019t just about the physical distance; it\u2019s about finding the perfect balance between independence and connection. It\u2019s about creating space for personal growth while still being close enough to stay grounded. The freedom to explore new places, build your own community, and carve out a life that reflects your true self is a gift, and this two-hour distance offers the perfect amount of space to experience all of that. In the end, I wouldn\u2019t trade it for anything. This distance has given me the best of both worlds, and I\u2019m grateful for every scenic drive, every visit home, and every new chapter that comes with it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Scranton chapter and does not…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19938,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[11965,11966,1594,4745,13900,13901,178,180,179,11967],"class_list":{"0":"post-19937","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-scranton","8":"tag-chapterchapter","9":"tag-chapterscranton","10":"tag-college","11":"tag-freedom","12":"tag-growing-up","13":"tag-scenery","14":"tag-scranton","15":"tag-scranton-headlines","16":"tag-scranton-news","17":"tag-sponsoredno"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19937"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19937\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}