Life has been pretty hectic around here lately.
For the past month, my life (and Greg’s!) has revolved around this:
And this:
I’ve turned my home office into a guest room and my guest room into a home office, because it looks better that way.
There have been multiple trips to Goodwill, used book stores (to make donations) and even the recycling center.
Our closets look like this:
I’ve gone to Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Kohl’s to get new (cheap) rugs, pillows, window treatments, etc.:
We traded out all of our old appliances for shiny new ones:
And our house is spotless all of the time (which is no easy feat).
Oh yeah, and there’s also a big FOR SALE sign in our front yard.
Can you guess what I’m getting at here??
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Alright….
I know, you’re completely surprised, right?
For the last year and a half (or whenever you started reading my blog), you’ve seen me write about Colorado over and over again. In fact, since I started this blog in September of 2011, I’ve visited the state three different times. During that time, I’ve read about several of my blog buddies moving to Colorado: first Liz, then Heather and most recently, Paige. I’ve been extremely happy for them, but yeah- also a bit jealous.
Greg and I have been seven times in the last four years. I’m not going to spend this whole post gushing about how much I love Colorado (and I could!); you can read all about that here. But, I will tell you how it came about- how Greg and I are finally going for our dream of living there.
We’ve been talking about it for years- ever since I went out there for the first time back in 2009. I had no idea that it would happen, but I fell in love with Colorado immediately. As soon as we got home from our trip, I was already planning out the next one. And then we went back again and again and again. Things really started to change when Greg and I went to Denver back in November. He was working in his company’s office in Lakewood and I was a spoiled brat who got to spend all week hiking, getting together with friends and just driving to anywhere I wanted. Greg worked hard while we were out there- but he loved it. And of course, I loved my vacation and getting to see all of the wonderful friends I’ve made out there.
A few weeks after we got back to Maryland, Greg had a big talk with his boss about relocating. He got permission to transfer out west, and we decided to wait until after the holidays to meet with a realtor and really get the ball rolling. We enlisted our friend Sharon to sell our house, and with her help, we figured out everything that needed to be done in order to get the house ready to sell. The entire month of January was dedicated to packing, painting, cleaning, fixing, downsizing and donating. We managed to sell a few things on Craigslist too! We decided that we wanted to list the house right at the beginning of February, and voila! Here it is!
We’ve only owned our house for two years, and I love it, and if I could pack it up and move it to Colorado, I would. But, Greg and I love the idea of living out west more than we love this house. Luckily we bought it when the market was it’s lowest point, and things are definitely looking up now.
Now we just wait and see what happens. We aren’t going to move until the house sells, and I have no idea how long that will take. According to our realtor, it should be quick, but you never know. Luckily, we don’t have a set deadline with either of our jobs, so when it’s meant to happen, it will happen.
We’re going to be renting a house in Colorado at first, so that we can figure out exactly where we want to live, and then hopefully buy a place a year later. I know that living somewhere is completely different from visiting it, and I’m pretty confident that we will love it out there. Greg and I are both so excited about this next chapter in the book of our life together, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you! We’ll see what happens next!
Have you ever moved out of state (or across the country)?
Hurray!!
Congrats! That’s really exciting.
It’s the least surprising surprise ever! Congratulations! The husband takes business trips to Colorado all the time, I’ve never been but maybe I can find a way to tag along one of these days (as long as nobody tries to make me ski). He actually wants to move out that way too, but all the work you mention above is pretty much why I don’t want to. Plus we bought our house in 2006 so it’s so far underwater we need snorkels!
I moved from Philly to Maryland, but that was just after college so I didn’t really have much to move other than a few duffel bags full of clothes.
Yes, Rob- go along with him sometime! You would love it! I won’t try to make you ski (I don’t ski!!).
It will take a lot of work to move out there, but it will be SO worth it. We have a townhouse that was bought back in ’06 as well, and we’ll be renting that out forever….
Sounds so exciting! The only time I moved out of state is when I met Kev. He was traveling on business, stayed in the hotel I worked at and the rest was history. That was in VA and I have now been in IL since we got married over 16 years ago. We have been dreaming about one day living in the Caribbean but who knows how soon that would come. I would like to get out of this house at some point but I don’t know that I want to live in IL anymore. We’ll see how life plays out for us.
Here’s to the next chapter for you guys. Life IS good.
Thank you Angie! And I think you should go for your dream of living in the Caribbean. How amazing would that be? Life is too short!
Congrats on the move – so excited for you and your husband!! We moved from Texas to Tennessee in the span of 3 weeks from me getting a job to us arriving in Tennessee. It was a whirlwind, involved living in my husband’s RV for several months – BUT, it was totally worth being in a place we both love. Cannot wait to hear about all your new Colorado fun! Sending good vibes your way to a smooth move west!
Thanks, Tess! Your move sounds crazy! Luckily we’ve had a lot of time to pack and all that, so by the time we actually move, it will be a LITTLE less work. And yeah- all that work is worth it when you are in love with where you live!
HOORAY!! Congrats!!!!!!!! We’re excited to have you here. And your dogs too.
They will LOVE Boyd and Pippa!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! So happy for you!!!
I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!! Now I can hangout with you on the regular!
OMG! Now I get to the be the jealous one! Congrats–so very, very exciting. Someday, someday . . . .
Ahhh I actually meant to mention you in this post- hoping you’ll be next! Until then, at least you have a free place to stay!
YAY, very exciting!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!
all i can do is smile…..
Congrats! How exciting…
i know it was a matter of time. YAY!!
Whoo hoo!!! I have been waiting for the official announcement, and I have just known it was only a matter of time…I’m SO excited for y’all, and that you are making your dreams come true.
I moved to Austin, and back again, with essentially just what could fit in my car. Of course, it was a lot easier for me being a single girl with just an apartment to live in–and a very gracious father with a giant basement.
I’m hoping that you’ll join Heather B. and me soon!
So happy for you guys! My husband and I just moved from Baltimore to Boulder and we absolutely looooooooove it here!
Congrats!
Whoa! Awesome!! I’m not far from Baltimore (and went to school at UMBC). If you have any advice for moving cross-country, PLEASE share!! My email is lauren@oatmealafterspinning.com
YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! SO excited for you!! And now you’re closer to meeeeeeee!!
So happy for you guys! For the record–my sisters & a sister-in-law all live in CO & freaking LOVE it. hah
How did I not know that your family is there? I know that you went to CO this year, but guess I forgot about the connection! Awesome! We’ll be a lot closer now for sure!
AWESOME!!! I’m so happy for you both! One of my really good friends recently moved to Boulder from Austin and she and her husband love it. He’s a professional triathlete, she’s also really athletic, and it’s perfect for them.
As you know, I moved to SF a couple of years ago and that didn’t work out so well. haha But, it was a great life experience and even though I ended up moving back to Boston, it was still worth trying. If you need any long-distance moving advice, I’m well-versed in that.
I would like for you and Aaron to start planning a trip NOW to come see us. You would LOVE it. And there are SO many great vegan restaurants (or just options on regular menus!).
I think it’s great that you DID move across the country only to realize that you were already where you wanted to be. At least now you know! And yes, I will be asking you for advice!
Congrats! We just moved from Colorado to Indiana this past summer (I know, it sounds crazy to WANT to live in Indiana after living in CO, but we are very happy here!) So, I’ve moved across the country twice: once right after college with 1 car-full of belongings, and once this past summer with a moving truck. The first trip was pretty painless. The second trip was much more challenging, mostly b/c we had more stuff to deal with (a car needing multiple repairs to make the drive, old couches no thrift store would take, and some health issues)…but we made it!
This will be very challenging, but worth it in the end! Congrats on finding the place you love to live!
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
I am BLOWN AWAY!
haha
I AM super excited for you to get here, though. Come onnnn real estate market (for both our homes – you’re doing it the right way!)
Our realtor thinks that it will sell really fast, since there’s NOTHING on the market right now… so I’m bordering between thinking positive and not getting my hopes up TOO much that it will go that quickly. We’ll see… I hope yours sells soon!!
Yay!! So glad the cats out of the bag and you’re OFFICIALLY moving!!
Im so happy you are getting your adventure! No regrets! Do the pups suspect something is in the works?
I absolutely hate moving, but love change, so it’s a toss-up. Counter-intuitively, our China move was probably the easiest since we just put everything in storage. Now we have so much more stuff, Im dreading the next move…but also looking forward to whatever it is!
I know that you want to live back in NYC someday, but I think your next move should be to Colorado. Or at least, come visit me SOON.
Congrats! This is such an exciting time!!!!
I’ve moved up the East coast from Florida to Boston (with a year in CT for good times). It was harder than I ever thought, but it was also an experience that I will never ever regret.
Like I said via email, I’m so happy for you, but sad that you won’t be in MD when I visit my family.
I moved to GA when I was 24. Obviously it has something going for it (though I never would have thought that), cause I’m still here!
You are living my dream! Congratulations!
this is the greatest news EVER. Oh wait, not ever, that would be if I were moving there too.
If you need a place to rest your head on the drive from MD, you’re welcome to stay with me … though I’m not sure if you’d be driving through or not. Okay, definitely not, but KS city is pretty close to me. (yeah, I just mapped that shit).
YAYY.
I have a feeling that you’ll be out there soon enough as well. You’ve definitely got the bug!
Talk to Mark about planning a trip after we move, so you can stay with us!
Its about time…
You’ll love living here. We spent 7 years visiting before we got around to moving. Living here is even better than visiting! And good luck with the long move. We just sold everything we didn’t HAVE to have and took a nice long road trip.
Thanks for those words!
I know how much you love it- and we will too!!
Oh my gosh!!! I am SO SO SO excited for you guys and definitely SO SO SO jealous!!!
Thanks, Michelle! The only unfortunate thing is, now we probably won’t be able to come up to Boston for the marathon.
We’ll figure out SOMETHING sometime! You and Craig can visit us- and you should go to Blend!!
[...] Prepare To Be SHOCKED [...]
Congratulations! That’s awesome!! But admit it…you’re just moving out there to be closer to Fitbloggin’ in June, right? : )
Thank you!! And you figured me out!
Are you going? I’m so excited. I love Oregon!!!
You summed up our month of September!! Stressful to say the least but so worth it when it’s all said and done. If you think keeping it neat with the two of you and the dogs was hard….three kids made it brutal! (Be glad you’re doing this without kids!!) Our house was on the market for 17 days so I hope you have the same thing happen to you. Having it priced right and looking great (with lots of photos like you have) is the sure fire way to get some interest. Good luck! Are you guys using an automated showing service? That was one of my favorite things about selling – getting texts alerting me of showings.
Yup- we’ve got that set up! But haven’t had a call yet (it’s only been one day) and are thinking that the weekend might be busier. I reallllly hope it goes that fast! We are lucky that there’s NOTHING on the market and it’s a really great house. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to keep clean with kids! The dogs are bad enough- and ALL that hair that they shed…
Yes, low inventory right now is what helped to sell ours quickly. I was constantly watching the listings and there was very few things comparable. Definitely helped. Once the showings started they were CRAZY. I imagine having to make plans for the dogs during showings will be another wrinkle – I hope that’s easy to manage for you.
Congrats! We moved from Baltimore (my husband is from MD) to Denver a few years back and we love it here. It’s the only city we can seem to agree on. Good luck with selling your house and the move. You will love it here! Plus, you will make lots of new friends easily, people are great! WELCOME!
AHHH!! I’m so excited!!! I might just have to come visit. I fell in love with Colorado last year!
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welcome!!! almost
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No words right now (well obviously that is a lie). You know my story and I can’t wait to hear about the move!!
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I can see my self ending up in CO as well! Had a blast there this summer on a road trip moving to CA! We have a lot in common. I am a spinning & Bodypump instructor too & I was born & raised in MD!
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