Usually, when I travel to other U.S. cities or even abroad I consider for a moment whether or not I’d like to live in the particular place I am visiting. In a way, I think this might be a biological process that occurs deep within our minds, perhaps a remnant from when we were hunter/gatherers wandering across the savanna.

With that in mind, I asked the TNG staff the question below. Feel free to leave your own answers in the comments box:

Based on your travels, is there a place (be as specific as possible) you would like to call home more than any other place on Earth? Answer this question with the assumption that money and work were not an issue. (i.e., you had all the money you needed and work came with you.)

It’s completely OK if your answer indicates that you are already in such a place, or “home is where the heart is”, or even if your dream location is Tincan, Ohio. Just be honest.

1. Zack, Editor-in-Chief:

I finally let go of my San Francisco dream a couple months ago, but lord knows I can’t just be happy where I am. Lately my moving fantasies take me to Portland, OR. Why? No real reason, other than I visited recently and the people were nice. But thats enough for now.

2. Rocky, Managing Editor:

In my dreams, I’d go back to Venice. It’s without question the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life. I like the idea of spending long lazy days floating down the canals, wandering across all the beautiful bridges, gazing at the breathtaking architecture and stumbling into all the random art galleries and piazzas and cafes. Also, it’s absolutely impossible to not fall in love with someone there Seriously. You have been warned.

In real life, however, I thought I’d been done with NYC after five years there, but I was just there a few weeks ago and it suddenly occurred to me: Why did I ever leave? This is my home. I love it here! So poor or no, sooner or later, I’ll probably end up there and end up being super jazzed about it.

GO YANKEES!!!

3. Jolly , Events Editor:

Place I’ve actually been to: Cambridge, England when I studied abroad there as an undergrad. Would love to live somewhere close to but still outside London. Place I think I would love to live but haven’t been to (yet): Cape Town, South Africa.

4. Corey, Staff Contributor:

Paris. It has the best food, the best culture, the best art, the best fashion, and the best je ne sais quoi of any city to which I’ve been. While known by many Americans as being snooty and horrible, I find the people there to be intelligent, interesting, and generally agreeable. While it lives up to its nickname – “the city of love” – its romanticism is blended with a realism and an urban vibe that are unmatched. Paris – je t’aime.

5. Matt’, Staff Contributor:

As an urban planner, this is a particularly hard question to answer because I love so many cities. I’d love to try many of them out, though I doubt I’ll ever get the chance to really call more than a few “home.” I love my current hometown, Washington, DC. It’s got a great urban form, it’s easy to get around in (I’m car-free), and it’s at the center of the national consciousness. I’d also be interested in living in places like Seattle, San Francisco, and Berlin, among others, but for now Washington will do.

6. Levi, Staff Contributor:

It would be easier to list places I NEVER want to live…Maryland is at the top if the list; I hate it here. Florida is up there too. I also never want to live anywhere South of PA unless it is far West like New Mexico. Other than that I really don’t care where I am, I’m a wandering-type who doesn’t like to be in one spot too long.

7. Kareem, Staff Contributor:

For me, it’s a tie between Berlin, Germany and Beirut, Lebanon.

Berlin – It’s grungy, graffiti-ed, and gorgeous. The cost of living is pretty low, the art exhibits are incredible, and I think it’s the only place you can still find 80’s punk rockers with neon mohawks and leather jackets. Also: Oktoberfest.

Beirut – The city is situated between a beautiful Mediterranean beach and steep mountains of cedar and olive trees. In three hours you can lay on the beach, drink a beer downtown, and go skiing up in the mountains. The Gemmayzah and Sin el-Fil districts have a nightlife like no other. I would like to say I’d go to Lebanon for the food alone, but… the people are amazingly beautiful.
Really, really, really amazingly beautiful.

8. Ben K., Staff Contributor:

If I left Chicago, I would only do so for New York. Both cities offer me the excitement and  diversity of urban life that allow me to thrive. I have yet to visit another city that I feel would allow me to do so. My international travels are quite limited, but I very much imagine that a number of foreign cities would provide the same opportunities for which I desire. But for now it’s a running competition between Chicago and New York.

9. Adam, Chicago Editor:

If I was forced (and I’d pretty much only leave if forced) to move out of Chicago, I’d probably move to the UK. Between London and Scotland, I’ve fallen in love with the cities, culture, slang, food and most of the people. I feel like I may feel the same after I visit Australia next summer so my answer may change.

10. Josh, Houston Editor:

For me, San Francisco is my dream home. I would live in a large house in the Haight/Ashbury and wake up every morning to sip coffee on my rooftop deck while watching the fog roll in. Heaven.

11. Bryan, San Francisco Editor:

Key West, FL. Oh, I know, it’s terrible out there. Oppressive heat. Rednecks everywhere. Typical resort town blues during the off-peak travel season. But I love it all. Their Saloon 1 might be sleazier than any bar I’ve ever been to in San Francisco, and that’s pretty damn impressive. In Key West, it’s easy to keep one foot in a bar and the other foot on the beach. And an easy lay thrown in every now and then. I don’t ask for much…

12. Andrew, Marketing Director:

I think it’s a three way tie between Tokyo, Prague, and Barcelona. I love to move around and explore and fully experience new cities every chance i get. While I’ve only been to Prague, I’d love to dive in and spend a few years living in any of these cities. As far as the U.S. goes, I’d love to live in Chicago or New York for a stint of time. Portland is awesome also.