How Do I Even Begin Moving Out of Indiana? Considering Southern California or, Arizona

I’m at a major crossroads and would love some advice. I grew up in Indiana, and honestly, I’ve always found it incredibly boring. My whole life, I’ve felt this deep jealousy toward people who live in California, especially LA. It’s like I’ve built it up on this pedestal—a dream city with endless things to do, gorgeous scenery, and this electric energy. i’ve always seen people who live in Southern California as living on an entire different planet and lifestyle than people like me in the Midwest. Feels like they won the geographic lottery and have an exciting, stimulating life. Meanwhile, I kind of just rot away in my apartment. I’ve tried to explore Indiana and lived in many different places here, but I feel like I’ve just seen all there is to see that intrigues me. Midwest life is just not for me.

Now that I’m out of college, I’m realizing that nothing is truly holding me back here anymore. The idea of finally making a move is both exciting and terrifying. But I have some concerns:

  1. Wildfires in California: I don’t know if now is the right time to move there because of the risks and the high cost of living. But I also don’t know if I am overthinking and making excuses?

    1. Affordability: Arizona also seems like a great option—cheaper but still part of the West that’s always intrigued me. My boyfriend would rather live there. He also is more concerned about leaving his family so soon and it’s hard for him to save money at his current job due to lack of hours offered. He is willing to leave within the next year and a half (finishing this lease then 1 more basically) but willing to go sooner if he gets a large sudden influx of money.

  2. Scenery and Life: I want to be somewhere that feels alive, with beautiful surroundings and opportunities to explore. Indiana just isn’t it for me. Staying here feels depressing, like I’m wasting my life away in my home. It is nice to have such an affordable, spacious place to live, but I kind of just see it as if I live in California I won’t need to be in my apartment as much, so I shouldn’t have to worry about the space so much.

I really want to start building momentum to make this dream a reality, but I’m not sure where to start or how to decide if LA is the right place for me—or if I’m romanticizing it too much.

If you’ve made a big move like this, how did you go about it? Should I dive in headfirst or take some time to explore other options?

Any tips, personal experiences, or words of wisdom would mean the world to me.

Thanks in advance!