Sahil kinda disliked both in step 1. he found the town too busy (even though its a small town) and it made him nervous so he avoided it and only really liked the bookstore. On the other hand, he found the forest kinda cool but nature tends to give him sensory issues and bug bites so he doesnt like touching stuff in there. The forest was a lot closer to his house, and Tamarack tends to do stuff there. So he spends more time in the forest and just wears full sleeves, long pants and a scarfs at all times even in the summer to have full protection.
Step 2 he's more confident and learned how to deal with his sensory issues better so hes a lot more fond of both the town and forest.