We moved from Chicago to a much smaller Midwestern city. It had a lot of perks, but not enough to keep us.

As a girl who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, I was no stranger to crowded streets, sirens, and the hustle and bustle of city life.

I loved the skyline, being able to walk to my favorite restaurants, and knowing there was always something to do.

But about nine years ago, my husband and I felt stuck in our careers, and everyday life was beginning to seem more exhausting than energizing.

As we tried to figure out our next move, we visited my dad in Lafayette, Indiana, a smaller city about two hours southeast of Chicago. To our surprise, he suggested we consider moving down there with him.

My husband and I toyed with the idea for a few…