I took a job in rural Texas for loan forgiveness. Was it worth it?

[LarryMertz]

When I was looking for jobs, I had two offers: one in Dallas, good pay, city life, all my friends. The other was in a tiny rural town you've never heard of, population 3,000, hours from anywhere.

The rural job came with a loan forgiveness program. Work here for four years, and they pay off a chunk of my loans. So I chose the rural life.

It's been a year now, and I'm still not sure if I made the right call.

The good: My loan balance is going down. Slowly, but it's happening. The cost of living is so cheap that my paycheck actually goes further. I bought a house. A whole house! My friends in Dallas can't even afford a studio. The community is tight—everyone knows everyone, and they've been so welcoming.

The hard: I'm lonely. There's no dating scene. The nearest Target is an hour away. I miss my friends. I miss concerts and restaurants and just... being around people my age. Sometimes I wonder if I'm wasting my 20s in the middle of nowhere.

Four years feels long. But the idea of being debt-free at 26? That feels like a dream.

Anyone else done a rural forgiveness program? Does it get easier? Tell me I made the right choice.

 

[Stockman]

I grew up in a town of 2,000 and now live in Dallas. Both have pros and cons honestly. The loneliness is real but have you tried getting more involved? Church, community events, volunteer fire department? That's how people connect out there. Also that house you bought? Your friends will still be renting at 30. Just saying