I'm really glad you said that, I haven't even been thinking past May 2015 and you are absolutely right. Some of them might end up wherever I end up, and if not it's probably good to at least stay in touch, right? It is most certainly not a great situation because how do you know what path you can take that can maximize your happiness? You can't, or at least I don't think you can? I'm afraid there will be that nagging thought of maybe there was something else I could have done that would have made me happier, or somewhere else I could have lived, etc. As good as you make it is true, but I know the few things I want to do, along with the few places I want to live. Already lived in places I don't want to live and worked jobs I don't want to work and I never, ever, ever want to be in that kind of a situation again.Those relationships you are talking about, put 105% effort into them. Even if you know that you are going to leave soon, you are not leaving really. Some of those friends will remember you and occasionally call you up/text you to see how you are doing. You will be glad you did it :)
I moved away from the city I studied at to where I am now (at my grandmother's) out of convinience. I really dislike this city here, and I will be deciding where I end up partially by the city I will be living in. I went on a 2-month EuroTrip and visited some of the cities I had in mind, so I know what my favorites are :) Which path to take to maximize happiness? This sounds as if you could tell what will happen if you chose X or Y. But you can't. It is nice to plan things, but it usually goes different than you expect. Pick something you feel good about and let the rest come to you. You can't control everything.
Mind if I ask which city you're in currently? Europe is a great place to go on a trip like that, were you backpacking or staying in legitimate places I had a long talk with a professor earlier about the last part that you brought up, and what he said is very true and that is that I have a split personality right now in terms of what I want to do and what could make me happy. Fork in the road.
Currently I am in Düsseldorf, studied in Ulm until the end of March. I mostly visited friends all around Europe. I spent half a year in London for an Erasmus-internship and met some people there. My family is pretty mixed (polish/palestinian/german), so they are everywhere. I did most of the trip by train, some with blablacar or bus. I have to be honest, I am giving advice that I am having troubles following myself. I know what is right to do but still can't decide because of fear or whatever. If you thought that I have everything figured out, be assured that I have no clue :D