Producer Jessica Kariisa Says Goodbye to The Bay

Jessica Kariisa, a producer for the podcast *The Bay*, reflects on her departure from the Bay Area and her transformative experience living in San Jose. Despite initial suggestions to settle in San Francisco or Oakland, she found a profound sense of belonging in San Jose’s Japantown, where she cultivated community through consistent daily routines and local social spaces like vinyl nights at a downtown bar. Her journey highlights the importance of intentionality in building local roots, moving from a newcomer navigating social challenges to a dedicated advocate for the city’s unique, under-the-radar culture. This transition underscores how personal engagement and persistence can foster a deep, lasting connection to a place, even when it lacks the immediate buzz of more prominent urban centers.