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How it started

I took on the challenge because of an excellent job opportunity. The role sat at the intersection of the diverse experiences and skills I'd built since I started working at 17.

It materialized through conversations, my experience in a related industry, and a combination of intersecting skills: bilingual, finance background, and familiarity with the blockchain industry. The kind of role that doesn't show up on a job board — it shows up in a network.

The living process

My first instinct was to reach out to my network. With their help, I adapted quickly to the new lifestyle and started building relationships through sports and business activities.

Still, the first two months were a stretch — adapting, out of routine, finding my footing. It's an uncomfortable process, but it brings long-term benefits once you settle in. On the positive side, the pace on the coast is more relaxed than in the city, leaving more room for work and growth.

Building a routine

When you move to a new city, find a group aligned with your interests and start there. The odds are high you'll find a social support network within that group. Your co-workers are also a great way to get the social energy running.

Weekdays
AM Gym → Breakfast → Office (5 min away)
PM Personal growth, social events, walk, sleep
Weekends
AM Mountain biking, surfing, kitesurfing, padel, beach, hiking
PM Social events, family time, relaxing at home

Key points

Living on the coast comes with trade-offs. Some are obvious; others reveal themselves over time.

Advantages
Limited traffic
Time isn't wasted commuting. Five minutes between most places.
Accessible airport
5–20 minutes from central areas. Travel friction stays low.
Strong inclination toward exercise
The environment pulls you into movement every week.
Services within reach
Basic services within a 5–20 minute radius.
Trade-offs
Demographic skews to families & nomads
You need an active physical and social life to meet people and connect.
Lower population density
Fewer people overall — but networks build faster because you reach the right ones quicker and can find them at their local spots.

What I'm learning

It has been a blessing. I've learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and I've grown closer to people with more experience than me.

One of the best things you can do at a young age is live alone. Your feedback loop gets shorter and learning compounds quickly. It sharpens you at solving problems, and over time the things that once felt high-stakes settle into the normal bar.

Develop your skills and take calculated risks as early as possible.