I did it! However, keep in mind my circumstances are highly unusual. I worked at a tech company that went gangbusters in an IPO, so after my stocks fully vested, I "ran away". I had tons of extra cash laying around. Not enough to retire at 30, but enough to take 1.5yrs away from work without worrying about money at all. I wasn't staying in 5-star hotels, but I also wasn't staying in dorm-style hostels either.

I travelled the world and eventually settled into City X -- a city in the USA I had wanted to move to for a long time, but I could never get my previous company to transfer me there. And, when I lived elsewhere it was hard for me to get a job in City X because no one wanted to pay for me to relocate.

So I relocated myself and BAM! As soon as I was legitimately living in City X I got lots of job offers to work here. I had a 1.5yr hole in my resume but I did not lie about it. I listed it as a "sabbatical" and explained that I chose not to work during that time to focus on travel and my family.

I am extremely happy with my decision but it is true that your problems follow you wherever you go. There is a 6mo period in a new place where you feel high, like a drug, like all your problems are gone. But after about 6 months, those problems come back. Do you struggle with dating? You're gonna struggle with dating in your new place, no matter how much you tell yourself "The dates there are gonna be so much better!" This is true for any other demons you have in your life -- depression, anxiety, body issues, eating issues, addiction, trouble making or keeping friends, ALL OF IT. It will follow you.

I am happy with my decision because I wanted to live in City X and I had no expectations that things in my life would change with my location.