[oliviafield18966]

Representation helped, but it did not automatically create friendship. We still had to show up repeatedly and build community. Irvine makes family logistics easier, but it can also make comparison culture louder if you let every other parent’s schedule influence you. Before committing, test the weekday version: school drop-off, grocery routine, commute, doctor access, and evening energy. The first few months were not a fair test. They were setup, loneliness, paperwork, and too many small decisions.

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