You know those midlife twists and turns that seem to pop up as we work our way through life? We don’t necessarily plan for them, they just seem to happen. Well, I’m at one of those turning points in my life at the moment – a long distance relocation is on the horizon. Yep.
I’m going to say goodbye to sunny Southwest Florida and move back to Michigan, my home state.
Florida has been my home for over 12 years, and I thought I was set here for a long time to come, probably for the rest of my life. But I realized about 10 days ago (actually I woke up, literally, with this thought in my head) that it was time for me to move back to MI and restart my life there. What?!?
My Midlife Twists & Turns
The past twelve years have certainly been life changing…from our move to Florida in 2006, financial ups and downs, my husband’s illness and passing in 2016, the success of my home staging business…so much has happened in my life. I’ve always tried to look forward, not back, keep my focus and see the positive in every situation.
Pondering the events since the beginning of this year, I am realizing how the decisions I made have led me here.
My goal has been to continue working as a business owner to my full retirement age, and beyond if possible, knowing that I would have to make some adjustments to the work itself.
In January, I decided to start focusing on an online business to allow me to be destination based instead of location based. An online business is a long, hard road, and I am very glad I made the start this year.
Several months ago I made the decision to stop taking on new home staging projects, knowing that there would be a time element, at least 6 months or even up to a year, to see the existing projects through. I had 26 jobs on the books when I made this decision.
This would eventually eliminate the need for the storage of inventory locally, and it would also be less taxing on me physically. I’m in good shape for my age but time marches on, if you know what I mean.
I wasn’t sure how everything would work out, but my faith and commitment kept my feet moving forward.
We’ve had some changes in the family dynamics this year, our dad passed away, and I am the only family member who does not live in SE Michigan. The support system is in place for us, but my contribution has been long distance or hopping on a plane. I’ve done that a lot this year!
The Long Distance Relocation Plan
So, when this thought, epiphany, decision, revelation…call it what you will…came to me, I knew it was the right decision to make. It is time to move back to my home state. My plan, now that the decision has been made, is to make the move in the near future, probably within a few months.
So what do you do when you realize a long distance relocation is on the horizon, and the horizon is quickly approaching? I’ve had quite a bit of experience moving in my life, including a long distance move, so it is not totally foreign to me. I’m also a planner and an organizer, so by nature I tackle every project with gusto and a pad/pen in hand.
I know that there are some key decisions and early planning that must take place with any move, a relocation in particular, so I want to share them with you. Hopefully my tips and advice will be helpful to anyone who is preparing to move.
Long Distance Relocation Tips
There are two top priorities to address if you are a homeowner.
The first is to prepare your existing home for sale.
- decluttering
- cleaning
- maintenance and repair, inside and out!
- donating
- depersonalizing
- decide what is going to make that long move with you, and what is not!
All this should happen before you call in the realtor to do a walk through of your home.
The second is to begin your search for a home in the new location. Distance is not your friend when it comes to finding your new home, but the internet is. For example, if your new destination is northeast Florida, use the power of the internet to search for Homes for Sale in Jacksonville FL. You’ll be presented with many options that offer online listings, including local realtors who are anxious to assist!
Your approach can be the same whether you are searching for a rental or to purchase a home. Use the internet to its fullest, to search out, save, inquire and make contacts. If you can reach out to one local realtor, establish a relationship, get comfortable with them and their style, they will be able to accomplish a tremendous amount for you whether you are in your current location or the new destination.
After you get working on those two priorities, keep in mind these additional tasks that can help make your long distance move much smoother:
- start planning now for movers. There are a number of online sources available to estimate your moving costs. Even so, you’ll want to start contacting moving companies, get estimates, discuss time frames and dates. Do not wait until 2 weeks before you need to be out of your current home. It won’t be pretty.
- get to work on financing for your new home, if needed. Your lender may or may not be someone you’ve worked with in the past. Keep in mind there are lenders that can help you no matter where you are locating. A preliminary conversation is always wise.
I find it so helpful to use a checklist, and for a project like a long distance move, this can prove to be priceless! Here are a few options for you:
- RealSimple.com moving checklist
- BedBathandBeyond.com moving checklist
- Martha Stewart’s moving checklists for every step of the way
Well, I’d better stop talking and get to work, because my long distance move will be here before I know it!
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How exciting for you Candi and I know you will take this new challenge head on and make it a positive outcome. Making such a huge change can be overwhelming and daunting but you seem to have the ideas for moving well in hand with the tips you have given us. I wish you the best of everything with you move and look forward to reading about your experience. Take care. xx
Thanks Sue, I’m going to give it my best shot to get organized and moved smoothly. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂 xo
So glad you’re moving back to Michigan to be closer to family!
How Awesome!
Don’t know where you will be living in Michigan, however, I must say
this state is beautiful up here!
We moved our young family to Holland, MI 22 years ago from the east coast of West Palm Beach, Florida
and in a lot of ways….never looked back….well…until the months of Jan. and Feb. roll around….then we wonder for a quick few seconds…what did we do as we look out our windows at the bitter cold weather!!!
Seriously tho, Michigan is one beautiful state!
Wishing you a smooth move in all ways!
Love your blog!
Take care!
Hi Amy, thanks for your words of encouragement! I’ll be moving to the Brighton area in SE Michigan. And yes…I’ve already have a couple of thoughts about Jan, Feb, Mar, even April….but that’s okay. I’ll just stay inside and look out my window, too! Thanks for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it.
How wonderful that you’re moving back to Michigan and will be closer to family. I grew up in Michigan and lived there for 19 years before I moved to South Carolina to be closer to my sister. I love and adore Michigan and no matter how many years I’m away, it’ll always be home to me. I would absolutely love to move back some day.
I agree, Stephanie…Michigan is a beautiful state with so much to offer. I just have to adjust myself to the 4 distinct seasons, including winter, again! But it will be great to be back with the family.
This is a possibility in my future, to be closer to my adult children. So thanks for the great advice!
It is a big decision for sure, and I know that many of us end up deciding to make that move. I will document my experience and hopefully all will be positive!
Congratulations, Candi – I agree that when a move is right for us, we often unexplainably know. Thank you for sharing these tips. This is a very helpful checklist to have on hand. #MLSTL
Thanks Donna, glad you found the checklist helpful 🙂
Sounds like a big move but you’re organisation skills will help. Have pinned into my group board for #mlstl
Thank you, Debbie!
Reaching the big decision to move is already half the battle. You have checklists and action plans ready so they will help. All the best with your move! #MLSTL
Thanks Natalie…you’re right…making the decision was so tough. But now that I’ve gotten through that it’s onward to the next steps!
How exciting for you Candi. I wish you all the best 🙂 Some great tips there on relocating. We have moved internationally 11 times mostly due to to work, but have been in SWAustralia 10 years. The thought of another move gives me the jitters now! I think you’re making yours based on all the right decisions. Good luck!
Thanks so much, Johanna! I hope this move will be my last, at least for a long while 🙂
It sounds like you have that confident feeling that the time is right – and things are in place to facilitate your move Candi. It’s great to see how practically and sensibly you’re approaching the big move (so many others leave it til the last minute and that is when things go pear shaped). Good luck with the move and I look forward to seeing the pics of your new home (and your staging of the old one to sell it!)
MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Thanks Leanne, I will be documenting my progress!
I grew up in West Michigan, left for NC, and then after 14 years made the move back to West Michigan to care for ailing family members. Good luck with your move. I was always very sad about moving back, I loved NC.
Sounds like you have lots of support there and I wish you all the luck.
Thanks Cherie, I know I will miss SW Florida very much, but being with family at this time is the highest priority. I definitely plan to come back and visit!
Funny to read this. My husband and I are currently up in the air about moving. Our eventual plans were to move to Florida, but instead of eventual, might be next month. Who exactly knows at this point.? We’re just taking one day at a time while downsizing like as if it were happening next week. If we end up staying longer, at least it will feel great to be decluttered.
I think doing the downsizing and decluttering is very smart, whether or not you end up moving in the near future!
Our family all gravitated back to our home state when my parents became elderly. You’re approaching this move with the right attitude. It’s so easy to panic and not trust your own intuition. Take your time and look for what you’ll need down the road. One great perk to relocating is getting rid of stuff that you no longer need. It’s tough yet a lot of time we haul things around when it’s really time to let go. Good luck! I’ll be sharing on #MLSTL FB and Twitter.
https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/2018/10/05/me-in-the-middle-of-the-world-of-walking-part-3/
Thank you so much Mary Lou, I appreciate your comments and your support!