Can Moving Really Solve All Of Your Problems?

I’ve known a few people who believe in the healing power of a move—that a change of scenery can be the key to solving all of their problems. But does it always work out that way?

Discussing Lindsay Lohan’s planned move to New York City, Douglas Quenqua of the New York Times wonders if the relocation will help Lohan battle her demons, and though Lohan’s case is unusual, in that she has to factor the perils of celebrity into wherever she lives, and there are, as Quenqua notes, fewer paparazzi in NYC than there are in L.A., the notion that a move can be the key to starting over can apply to almost anyone. But can a new address really create an entirely new outlook on life?

I suppose it depends on what someone is dealing with; living in a city that’s haunted by memories of a past relationship or a traumatizing event of some kind might cause someone to feel trapped by their past, as sensory reminders—the smell of a certain street, the sight of a certain building, the sound of a particular train—might send those painful memories flooding back into the brain. Leaving a town you feel stifled in in order to move to a bigger city might provide relief, as well. Transferring from a college that makes you miserable to a campus (and school) that better suits your needs can be a incredibly positive experience, as well.

But there are some issues that hop on the plane, or in the moving van, with you.
When it comes to addiction, physically removing oneself from old acquaintances who are still using/dealing is probably for the best—though a change of scenery alone is not enough to stop old habits from popping back up, regardless of where you live. The same goes for clinical depression; a new start can do wonders, but unless there’s a support structure to accompany it, the dark clouds will soon find their way to your new abode.

So what do you think, commenters? Has a move ever helped you overcome your problems?