Ahhhh we did it! We bought right here July 2nd after a household journey to Hilton Head and are head over heels in love with our new metropolis. I am so excited to lastly share the journey with you!
I spilled the beans on Instagram in Might that we might offered our home and had been shifting throughout the nation. Now it is time to share all of the juicy particulars in regards to the why, what, and the way behind this life-changing journey!
Why we determined to maneuver
I have been craving huge change in my life for a while now. It is robust to articulate, however I had this nagging feeling that I wished one thing greater, one thing extra. Jeff has all the time wished to maneuver out of Ohio, however I used to be fairly rooted in Columbus given my position with Alchemy (a restaurant I co-founded in 2014).
We had been outgrowing our two-bedroom house however had been developing dry after looking for and bidding on homes for the final two years. We knew we wished to get out of our home however did not really feel enthusiastic about dwelling wherever else in Columbus. Nonetheless, I by no means imagined we might transfer to a different state.
After having Max in 2021, the unsettled feeling grew exponentially. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled with work. I wasn’t impressed. I additionally knew I did not need to keep house full time with Max. All the pieces felt off, and I felt…misplaced.
Wanting again now, I do know I had a mix of postpartum melancholy and/or anxiousness. However even a yr and a half later, the emotions have solely not too long ago begun to subside.
I made a decision to step down from my day-to-day full time position with Alchemy in January. It was a loopy arduous choice, nevertheless it was completely the fitting one for me on this season of life. I felt responsible for not having the vitality or need to present my all to our model, and it was beginning to suffocate me.
A pair months later, Jeff and I started daydreaming about what it could appear to be for our household to maneuver. He had a brand new distant job that gave him the flexibleness to reside wherever, and I wasn’t tied to Columbus anymore. We deliberate a weekend journey to Denver and informed ourselves we might come again with a call.
It felt like the largest choice ever leaving the one state we have ever lived in, our households who reside two hours away, our pals, the companies I helped begin, our neighborhood…
However it was additionally so, so clear. The reply has all the time been sure.
weekend journey to Breckenridge
Why we selected Denver
We have all the time felt drawn to this metropolis. I had my bachelorette occasion right here in 2018, we went for fun in 2017, and we went in my second trimester. There’s simply a lot to do! Denver checked so many containers when it got here to the place we wished to lift our household.
Sure, lots of people are shifting right here and sure, it may be costly. However actually, the Columbus housing market has gotten so insane that it actually wasn’t that a lot of a change.
- Climate: It is wildly sunny, with 300 days of sunshine a yr. It undoubtedly will get toasty right here in the summertime, however the dry warmth is so significantly better than humidity.
- Outside tradition: It truly is second to none. Significantly, individuals are so energetic right here all yr lengthy. We will not wait to show Max to ski!
- Mountain views: You may see the mountains from just about all over the place. It is surreal to stare at this majestic panorama throughout our morning stroll or simply driving to Goal. It actually causes a shift in your vitality.
- Walkable neighborhoods: I like what number of charming neighborhoods there are with epic eating places, artwork, retailers, and parks. We reside in Washington Park however are additionally enthusiastic about LoHi, Highlands, RiNo, Congress Park, Metropolis Park, and Sunny Aspect. There are parks all over the place you flip. Infinite inexperienced areas!
- Meals scene: There are such a lot of fabulous eating places right here. We have barely scratched the floor however have cherished attempting new locations each weekend. So many are in strolling distance, too!
- Near different superior locations: We will hop within the automobile and take weekend journeys to Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Vail, Boulder, Moab, and past.
- Nice folks: It is extremely noticeable how individuals are tremendous form and grounded right here. Like, they really say good day and begin up conversations with you. How may you not be comfortable dwelling in a spot like this?
- No bugs: LOL however actually, there’s like no mosquitos. It is HEAVEN.
- Direct flights: It is a simple two hour direct flight for our households, which is an enormous plus.
Why we selected the Washington Park neighborhood
We signed a one yr lease in Wash Park and severely could not be extra in love with this neighborhood. The properties have a lot character. We discovered a past charming 1,800 sq. foot home with 3 bedrooms and the cutest yard. It seems like a large amount of area for us.
We did not need to purchase with out being positive the place we wished to reside for the subsequent few years. We figured, why not spend a yr in a neighborhood we’re sure is great and go from there?
We reside a brief stroll away from a huge park with two lakes, mountain views, sprawling inexperienced areas, lush flower gardens, and an enormous playground. It is also walkable to my new favourite pilates studio, Complete Meals, and nice eating places and occasional retailers/
It is very protected, too. We may by no means depart our stroller outdoors the place we lived in Columbus. It is also actually quiet! It seems like city dwelling with out the noise and crime. We sit on our entrance porch and drink espresso each morning simply soaking within the peace and quiet.
What’s shifting throughout the nation like?
Truthfully, it was loads simpler than I made it out to be in my head. Transitions are usually not my buddy!
It’s a must to pack the whole lot in a truck regardless of when you’re shifting down the road or throughout the nation. Packing royally sucked and was completely my full time job for some time; however we knew shifting was aggravating entering into.
Determining the logistics of timelines, promoting our home, and securing housing in Denver was a doozy. We discovered that renting, like shopping for, may be very aggressive. We did not get the primary rental we wished so we began being tremendous on high of it and made positive we had been communicative and keen. Once we discovered one within the location we wished, we jumped on it straight away and dedicated mid-April website unseen (we did a Facetime tour).
love my new workplace area! (desk + chair)
We put our home in the marketplace on the finish of April and by chance offered it the primary weekend. I packed containers each week and offered a variety of stuff so it wasn’t as overwhelming.
We seemed into shifting firms however they had been all far more than we wished to spend and could not assure when our stuff would get there. We ended up renting a U-Haul and Jeff, his pals and I packed the whole lot ourselves. Jeff drove the truck all the way down to Denver whereas his brother drove our automobile. We did rent movers on the again finish, which was an excellent choice.
In the meantime, I took Max to Cleveland to stick with my household whereas Jeff moved us in. The standard time with them was so particular. Then Max and I flew to Denver (his first flight!) afterward.
Has it been arduous with no household?
We have not been right here lengthy sufficient to really feel this. Our dad and mom’ are each great, concerned grandparents and naturally I want they had been right here with us. That goes for our siblings and their children, too! However I additionally know we’ll each go to. I am so stoked to be elevating a household in a spot I really feel so aligned with.
Finally we could not not make a transfer that felt so intuitive as a result of our households reside in Ohio. There’ll all the time be causes to not do one thing. Taking dangers is arduous. However flexing that muscle is vital to me. I really feel courageous in a method I by no means have. This transfer has compelled me step outdoors of my consolation zone.
I do know we might remorse by no means attempting to reside elsewhere after we each had such a starvation for it. Plus, we are able to all the time transfer again or strive some other place! I might fairly attempt to fail than not attempt to all the time surprise “what if.”
What we’re doing for childcare
Daycare waitlists are years lengthy right here and nannies are extraordinarily costly (and in brief provide). After stalking a Wash Park mothers Fb group, I bought so fortunate and located a nanny share.
The way it works is I convey Max to the opposite household’s home three days per week and Max hangs with the nanny and their 18-month previous boy. It is a 5 minute drive and so they already had all of the gear, so it is tremendous handy.
Questions?
Depart a remark with any ideas or questions you will have about shifting, life, and past! We’re feeling so settled and comfortable right here. When you’re contemplating making an enormous change in life, I hope this publish evokes you to DO THE DANG THANG!
