OT: We are moving!

[cookderosa]

Totally OT, but my family and I are moving! I'm living in the town I grew up in (minus 4 years in NY and Michigan) so, I've logged about 38 years here. Well, hubby is starting a new teaching job this fall, so we are leaving Illinois and moving to Charlotte North Carolina! I've never been out that way, but hear it's very nice. So, if I'm not on here as much as usual, it's because I'm packing/selling/etc 38 years worth of crap into boxes hilarious

[rebel100]

Awesome Cook! Is this the job with the great tuition deal for hubby and the family? You guys must be so excited!

[marianne202]

Cook, I live about 2.5 hours NE of Charlotte. We have lived here for 10 years and love it. Just be warned everyone moves at a much slower pace around here. Don't expect a workman to show up the first time he says he will! At least Charlotte is a big city. I moved from a big city, Phoenix, to a very, very small rural town. My closest Target, Olive Garden and mall are almost an hour drive away!! It was a horrible culture shock. I now plan day trips to go to Target, Costco, Petsmart etc once or twice a month. It is a little warmer here and more humid, but you should love it. The beaches or mountains are only about 3 hours away depending on the direction you go. Good luck with the move!

[cookderosa]

Awesome Cook! Is this the job with the great tuition deal for hubby and the family? You guys must be so excited!

why, yes! I won't say where until the ink is dry on the contract. I'll share soon though.

[frankiebleyes]

Welcome to the south you'll! I love where I am and have been here as long as you've lived up there and I'm originally from up there. Seriously Jennifer glad to hear your news, congratulations to hubby and family. Hope you like it down here, its a lot warmer then you expect all year long, but its great once you get used to it. Glad for all of you.

[taylor]

Never been there, but I was always a fan of the Duke vs. UNC rivalry in college basketball. Moving to a new state sounds like fun, hope your kids are looking forward to it as well. Good luck and take care.

[LaterBloomer]

Congrats to the DH on the job. Never lived in NC, but you're sure to like it. You seem to be the type who flowers where she's planted. Marianne, I laughed at your comments about Phoenix the "big city." When I lived near there about 25 years ago, I thought that part of its charm was its small-town aura. Sidewalks rolled up at 5 or so Monday through Saturday, and not even rolled out on Sunday.

[Lindagerr]

Jennifer prepare for some culture shock. I don't now and never have lived in the south (although I wish I did), but I have spent a fair amount of time visiting my family in Myrtle Beach SC. The way of life and pace are much different.

As for the move, been there just did that. It is amazing how much junk you can accumulate after 28 years in one house. My best advice if you have more then one get rid of it, if you haven't used it in 6 months get rid of it and get rid of at least half of your clothes. Find 1 or 2 charities that will come pick up at your door. I found 3 at my old home and already found one at the new house. Usually they schedule pick ups in advance, once you do that it gives you more incentive to get more gathered to give. I still have to go back to NJ to finish things like the attic knee-wall but I got rid of so much stuff I was able to unpack here in under two weeks.

How long do you have to prepare? Are you buying a new house? It can be overwhelming and scary but it is also an exciting fun adventure.

[LaceyLady]

Congratulations Jennifer! I hope you will enjoy living in Charlotte, and make many new friends.

[LaceyLady]

Marianne, I laughed at your comments about Phoenix the "big city." When I lived near there about 25 years ago, I thought that part of its charm was its small-town aura. Sidewalks rolled up at 5 or so Monday through Saturday, and not even rolled out on Sunday.

LOL, Phoenix is definitely different than it was 25 years ago! It is a big city; the sixth largest city in the US by population (larger than Charlotte and Detroit combined, and nearly as large as Philadelphia - surpassed Philly at one point), and the 10th largest city by area (larger than New York City or Los Angeles and nearly as large as Chicago and Charlotte combined). However, although it is such a big city it does not seem to feel like a very large city. Phoenix is mostly suburban and has a small downtown for its size. From my window I can see a large agricultural field across the street, beyond that I can see houses, beyond that, downtown, and beyond that, mountains; and I am about 10 minutes from downtown Phoenix.