Move away?

Has anyone ever moved to get away from an ex partner or just a scenery that has to many bad memories? I will start my PhD next year, so I’m going to likely move anyways, but it’s my first time I’d be away from my sisters n mom. I love my family, but it’s just been to much pain here in the city I’m living in from my ex. I constantly run into women he’s cheated on me with or run into people who see me and him as one. I don’t have any friends here and I just want to be alone, but not be alone. I want to be alone, but know I have someone if I need it. I feel like I want to leave here and just start over. I’m going to be 25 this year. I just want to find peace. Has anyone ever been in my shoes or have any advice? I mean like move from California to the East coast.