Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us episode 1 and the original game.The Last of Us episode 1 has a time jump with the latter section in 2023, showcasing Joel living in Boston. Before the time jump, in 2003, Joel was living in Austin, Texas with his daughter Sarah. The Last of Us episode 1 opens in 2003 and follows Joel, Sarah, and Joel's brother Tommy attempting to escape the outbreak of the Cordyceps brain infection that has mutated to affect humans thanks to global warming.

After the outbreak sees the tragic death of Joel's daughter Sarah, The Last of Us episode 1 jumps forward 20 years to 2023. In this part of The Last of Us' timeline, Joel is living in Boston. Given the distance between Boston and Austin, as well as the complete lack of information known about the world in the 20-year time game, many have been wondering why Joel now lives in Massachusetts.