Our new home. It’s the town theater, an art house.
The lyrics from the Talking Heads song “Once In A Lifetime,” plays in my head as I think how the plan to move to Cary took flight. Modified to suit of course.
The fires from a few years back were the first nudge to get us thinking outside of California. This is not our beautiful state! As the days went by, some of our neighbors were dropped by their fire insurance carriers. Eventually, one of the last big-name companies stopped enrolling new residences and It made national news. We held on to our coverage, but for how long?
The state is cooking and so is Hubby; he is F.R.I.E.D.! (No pun intended, but it’s kind of funny put together like that.) The stress level of his job is the worst it’s ever been. Bulging eyes and a basketball tummy are not healthy looks. This is not my beautiful hubby! I’ve often kidded with him about selling the house and moving to Arkansas. We won’t really go to Arkansas, it’s just a metaphor, albeit extreme. The stress is too much!
Pondering
We’ve been thinking about leaving California for a long time, but more seriously in the last three years. Many of our friends are in the same boat, wondering what could possibly be better than California? But where? San Diego possibly, too dry. Seattle, too wet. Denver, snowy, and the pricing has gotten so crazy it would be like trading one expensive frying pan in for another and Colorado has the fires to go with it!
Cary! How did we get here? The long and the short of it, I literally googled the best places to live in North Carolina and Cary was number three. Cary is my middle name so of course I clicked on that link first. The description checked a lot of boxes and really piqued our interest: Climate, affordability, culture, diversity, educated, progressive, and most importantly, an Asian food market.
Hubby’s one thing for wherever we called home, there had to be a Ranch 99 or equivalent. Cary has one: H Mart!
Upon further research, Cary hosts 36 festivals a year, a few themes being Chinese Lantern, July 4th, and Pimento Cheese. Charming!
Cycling is huge even if the hills are not. Pickleball abounds. The food scene is something and expanding. The Turkish restaurant gets lots of accolades. There’s always Raleigh if we’re bored.
Cary feels right.
Research
I texted my friend’s sister that lives in Raleigh as Cary is one of the suburbs.
“What’s it like there? How southern is it?” I probably asked a little more delicately, but I had a feeling I was in like-minded territory.
“You will find friends here!” she proudly announced. Some states are not too keen on Californians so this was a relief. She’s lived in Raleigh ten years now and wants to share the great find with the world, but then again, she doesn’t. Best kept secret.
“Now, it’s not a big city or anything like that,” my new friend admitted. We don’t mind. We rarely go into San Francisco and maybe once a month to Oakland.
“It’s very open-minded…” Another sigh of relief. A lot of that is due to the impressive universities attracting talent from all over the world. One of the expressions for Cary is: Trees, trees, and PhDs.
Epiphany
Every morning, Hubby sips coffee from a giant silver Yeti as he walks the neighborhood. He’s in deep thought while admiring nature, playing with kitty-cats, and chatting with neighbors. Then, one day, a light bulb goes off.
“If we’re going to sell, we need to do it in the next two months. Real Estate is softening and the banks are tightening up on loans. A new owner may not qualify,” He says to me as he saunters into the kitchen in early April.
I look up from my laptop and ask the one question that means we’re not just talking any more.
“Should I call Dana?” I ask. Dana is my friend and an accomplished realtor in our area.
“Yeah, I think so.” Hubby answers somberly.
Pulling the trigger.
Within days, the real estate team did a walk-through to get a sense of the size and condition of our home. Two days later, we got all the numbers.
“Are you ready?” Hubby asks.
“Yep.” I answer confidently.
Oddly, we both are at ease about all of it.
Once in a lifetime….
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A good decision and the timing worked for you to make a quick sale,pack and head out, all in 90 days. Meant to be…..
Great post Francie… hoping you will find much happiness in Cary!! 🙂
So happy to read your blog again! Good luck in your new home. Look forward to visiting!
Aww, thanks Colleen! I hope to see you out here. And thanks for checking in, it makes it all worth it.
Wow! Glad to finally read the back story. Sounds like you are already making strides in the community. You are both very brave for making this change. Keep in touch!
When ‘ya gotta bust a move, it’s not that hard. We were ready. More story to come!
Thank you! So far so good!
Wow!! Good luck on your next chapter!!
So so happy for you guys! Great decision for this next phase of your lives. Not sure if you saw my post on Instagram, but my plan is to retire in Myrtle Beach. 🙂
I look forward to hearing the rest of your story!!
Hi Francie,
Not sure you’ll remember me, but I was on Tony’s cycling team (Taleo) and would occasionally run into you guys riding. I used to mention to you that I had read your book about Tony’s crash and recovery and how much I liked it.
My wife and I are in the same boat as you and have struggled with this decision for the past few years. It’s not just the cost of living here (although its so high its crazy), but it seems like the standard of living has gone down as well. Crime, homelessness, and our environment here is really taking a beating.
Good luck in your new adventure, I have to admit that we’ve been a bit stuck and have just been waiting for something, maybe a sign. Its takes a bit of courage to pull up and make such a big change, but sometimes that is what it takes. Our kids are grown and doing really well, so maybe its time for us to have a bit of that courage as well.
Please continue to keep us all in the loop, you have at least one person back here that is rooting for you guys to be happy and prosperous.
Take Care!
Joe Storm
What a fun adventure! We might even get down your way to visit!
Waay easier. If we ever get a house, we can have a chef throw down. Hope to see you here!
Glad to be back on your blog email. Have always enjoyed your posts.
And you didn’t have to do a thing! I’m glad this thing still works. LOL.
Thank you Francie for keeping us up to date. Great post!
Aww. I do remember you. Thanks for reading my book and now my blog. Yep, it’s a big change and the only way we, or maybe just me, get through it is “eyes forward.” If I look back I get sad leaving my friends behind. We know we’ll be back for visits and welcoming lots to visit us–maybe you and your wife. So far, this has been a fairly easy transition.
All I can say is when you know, you know.
Thanks for letting me know you’re out there and watching the play-by-play.
Francie
You’re on my mind Renee! You made such an effort to make sure you were following me so you wouldn’t miss a thing. That means a lot.<3
Hi, Francie! Love the post and your adventurous spirit! What an exciting move. Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress and observations. Sending hugs!
Thanks Andra! I love that you are following along@ It’s a nice reminder of the buddies I have in Cali.<3
Miss your smiling faces in the neighborhood! Keep us posted as you settle in and enjoy this new adventure!
Miss the speed walkers passing our house several times a day. LOL! Lots to report!
Hi Francie, I’m following your story closely! Randy and I have been thinking a lot about what you’ve posted- CA so dry! WA too wet! Are we ready to explore someplace new? We still have Meredith in high school one more year but I’ve been stalking Zillow, bookmarking cities in my weather app for over a year now. So glad you’re loving it there! My brother just moved to S Carolina so we’ll be out that way before long and are going to check out some lakefront communities.
Look forward to hearing more about your adventures-Enjoy!
Wow! Thanks for the follow. I am writing about our experience because we feel like there are people out there just like us that don’t know what’s next except there is one. It’s also therapuetic for us to recount the adventure!
Thanks for sharing your story, Francie. Still hard to believe the whirlwind move for you, but I’m excited for you both. I will always treasure the memories when our boys were good buddies when they were little.
Hey Cathy. We are certainly leaving behind some sweet memories. Maybe there will be an ironman out this way. It’s very fit community. The blog may entice you.;-)