I have some exciting news to share with you guys today!
Ryan, Sadie and I are packing up our things and leaving Florida. Yep, we’re moving!
Where are we going?
If you can think back to a place we visited a couple of weeks ago, you might have an idea.
We’re moving to…
Charlotte, North Carolina!
I am absolutely thrilled!!!
A few weeks ago, I briefly blogged about a last-minute weekend trip Ryan and I took to Charlotte. I blamed the trip on a “surprise party” for one of Ryan’s friends which was basically a big fat lie. (I feel really bad about that so please forgive me! I just needed everything to be a secret for a little while.)
We actually drove to Charlotte because Ryan had an interview on Monday morning with a new company. We spent Saturday evening and all day Sunday exploring Charlotte, hoping to get a feel for the city just in case Ryan’s interview turned into a job offer.
We already knew we loved North Carolina. If you’ve been a PBF reader for a while now, you may remember me saying North Carolina is a place Ryan and I have always wanted to live. When Ryan’s interview turned into a job offer that very same day, we spent nearly all of the drive back to Florida weighing the pros and cons of a move.
The major con in our eyes was living far away from family. Ryan and I have both never lived more than 2.5 hours from our families, and though it will be a bit of a hike, we’ll still be within driving distance of family (6 hours from mine, 9.5 hours from Ryan’s).
The pros of moving were plentiful and Ryan accepted the offer from his new company the day after his final interview. From the research we’ve done and what we saw during our visit, I think we’re going to love calling Charlotte our new home.
What I’m looking forward to most:
- Seasons: Though I know I’ll probably miss Florida winters soon enough, I’m beyond ready to experience seasons again. I miss actually having a fall and a spring! And Sadie has never seen snow!
- Access to lots of different fitness classes: I’ve really missed living in an active community with a bunch of different fitness options. I can’t wait explore local barre, yoga, Jazzercise and boot camp classes! And they have BODYPUMP in Charlotte. Hallelujah!
- Living in a walkable community: I know that the walkability of Charlotte will depend a lot on where we decide to live, but the areas of Charlotte that really appeal to us at the moment seem very walkable. And oh my gosh, I’ve never seen so many trees along the streets! I know this is a goofy thing to get excited about, but it was so green and gorgeous in the neighborhoods we explored.
- Dining at local restaurants: Ocala has a few local restaurants we adore, but chain restaurants are definitely in the majority. I see lots of fun date nights in our future as Ryan and I check out the local dining scene. (I’ve heard great things about Luna’s Living Kitchen.)
- Living (somewhat) close to the mountains: Yes, we’ll still need to drive a few hours to get to the mountains, but a 2.5 hour car ride to gorgeous Maggie Valley is nothing! I see a handful of fall weekend hiking trips in our future!
- Outdoor activities: I can’t wait to explore parks, local hiking trails, Lake Norman and more!
- Living close to an airport: Living two hours from an airport for nearly three years will make you appreciate having an airport close by, that’s for sure!
- Shopping: 99.9 percent of the shopping I do in Ocala is online. Everyone here seems to make the 90+ minute drive to the malls and outlets in Orlando to do their shopping because the stores in Ocala are rather limited. It will be so nice to have access to stores other than TJMaxx (which I love, don’t get me wrong) to shop and look for gifts for loved ones.
- Museums, Concerts and Theatre: I’ve been peeking around CharlotteCultureGuide.com and getting awfully excited.
- Festivals: Okay, this is a ridiculous one, I know, but I LOVE outdoor festivals and have missed them like crazy ever since we moved away from Orlando. From what I’ve heard from friends who live in Charlotte, there is no shortage of fun little festivals around town. While we were there we actually stumbled upon a little food truck festival and I was in heaven!
So when will we be moving?
Ryan’s start date at his new company is June 16. We’re planning to use these next two weeks to get organized and pack and then we’ll have temporary housing set up for 30 days as we look for a place to live. (Our lease in Ocala runs through the end of August.)
I actually have quite a few blog-related trips planned during the month of June that fly in and out of the Jacksonville airport, so it will be a hectic month as we try to figure everything out! I plan on making some back-and-forth trips to Charlotte in June but will likely permanently be joining Ryan there in early July.
As for my job at the gym, my last day was last week! The timing of all of this was actually pretty great because a new group exercise schedule debuted at our gym on Monday, so I could say goodbye to my previous classes before a new routine was established. I’m definitely sad to leave, but know there’s lots of fun things waiting for us in North Carolina. I can’t wait to bring you guys along for the ride!
If you live or have ever lived in the Charlotte area, I would LOVE to hear any and all recommendations you may have for us as we make this big transition. I know you’ll know best!
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Definitely check out the whitewater center and Madabolic for a good workout!!
I’ve heard awesome things about the whitewater center– can’t wait to check it out! And thanks for the rec about Madabolic!!
I’ve always wanted to live in North Carolina! I’ve lived in Florida my whole life and I hate not having ACTUAL seasons. Lol I can’t wait for you to show us around your new city! Congrats to Ryan!
I just moved from Charlotte to Philadelphia last weekend and was sad to leave. It’s a great city. I lived there for almost three years and LOVED it. You should definitely check out the Dilworth area to live in. It has really awesome character, and near lots of parks. The list of awesome restaurants are endless. I personally love Basil Thai Restaurant and Vida. The Bodypump classes at the Uptown Y are always great. You’ll also have to keep an eye out for the JCrew factory warehouse sales in Asheville. It’s a bit of a drive but a good excuse to go to the mountains and get crazy good deals! Please feel free to email me with any questions! I think you’ll really love it! Good Luck!
Ryan visited Basil Thai on a business trip last year and raved about it! I can’t wait to try it out, too. And thank you for the recommendations!
Congratulations to Ryan! Charlotte is amazing. I work for an apartment management company and we have so many amazing communities in Charlotte! Every time I go, I’m just floored by the fun and fresh “vibe” the city has. Definitely an amazing town. Jealous! (<– Because I live near Memphis, TN 😛 )
Ahhh how exciting! Sending you lots of luck for your new adventure 🙂
I am also likely moving to North Carolina this summer! My husband will be going to Wake Law up in Winston-Salem, not too far from Charlotte. I look forward to following all your adventures there since it will be my turf too :). We just visited the Winston-Salem area and one thing I LOVE is all of the wineries – you have to check them out!
Congratulations to you and Ryan! I had a funny feeling something was going on…so glad for the good news for you two. Best wishes!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I go to Charlotte for work all the time and like it a lot more than I thought I would. Enjoy!
Thanks, Victoria!! 🙂
What an amazing, exciting new adventure this is going to be for you guys! We’ve recently moved house in the UK (built the new one, well not personally…) so I know it can get stressful but a few deep breathes will keep you on the straight and narrow and it’s MORE than worth it in the end 🙂 can’t wait to hear all about it!
How exciting!! I’ve seen Jen from Peanut Butter Runner talk about Charlotte in such a great light, so I’m sure you guys will have a blast living there! From your list, it looks like an amazing town.
Best of luck!!
How exciting! I have always wanted to move away – just to enjoy the experience. Enjoy the ride!
I don’t know Charlotte that well, but I do know you are only a short drive away from one of my favorite cities, Charleston! It is such a GREAT GREAT food town! Not to mention the houses there are adorable. Also, the Cooper River Bridge Run is a great 10k (in April). It is crowded, but a really fun race to run in. My husband and I recently moved from my home town of Atlanta to the NYC area for my husband’s job and it was a big transition. I wish you guys nothing but the best! Cheers to new adventures 🙂
Wow, Julie! Major congratulations to you and Ryan! Charlotte is in my top 5 places to live when I finally move from Florida (which hopefully will come sooner rather than later), so I am really excited for you and the new adventures your lives will bring.
Hi Julie! I’ve been following your blog for a long time and have always loved reading your posts. I’m a Charlotte native and am so excited that you and Ryan (and Sadie!) are going to be moving here! Definitely check out some Knights and Hornets games when you get the chance. Hope everything with the move goes smoothly!
Thank you, Maggie!! <3
congrats on the move and new adventures!
Congratulations! My husband and I live in Greenville, SC (about and hour and a half away) and completely adore the seasons and the proximity to the mountains. We’re originally from Tennessee, so I could never move somewhere without mountains, but it’s nice to be 3 1/2 hours from the beach! You should definitely check our Asheville, NC. So many great restaurants and brewerys. Also, Charlotte has a large array of concerts, so definitely check out the music scene.
Congratulations! My husband and I recently made the move to the east coast (about 5 hours north of Charlotte in Virginia) and we absolutely love it. The hiking, the history and the scenery are just a few of the things that I appreciate about living here! Good luck to you and Ryan!!
Hi Julie! I recently moved from Gainesville, Fl to Charlotte! You, Ryan, and Sadie will love it here! If you have any questions about the area or just want a new friend in the area please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be more than happy to give any advice and recommendations I can.
Ha! Such a similar move! Glad to hear you’re loving Charlotte!
SO PUMPED FOR YOU. You get to go back to my college stomping grounds, AND we can play when I visit!
Speaking of which, I’m coming June 26. Will you be around then? 😉
Yay! You’ll love it there. Which you already know.
Oh my goodness, what an amazing opportunity for you! But I’ll admit that I’m pretty sad finding out that you’re not going to be just an hour away from me anymore…
We have some friends that live there and yes, you’re right, they have a ton of festivals going on! If that’s your thing, then you definitely won’t be bored. However, the summers are still hot so at least you’ll be ready for those. From what I’ve heard, it really doesn’t snow too much in that area, but things could change. And I would love to see posts about the mountain area when you guys do make a trip up there. Have fun and have a safe trip when you move. You’re going to love it!!!!
This is so exciting! Congrats on the big news! NC is such a gorgeous state and I really miss it. I never got to spend much time in Charlotte as I lived on the Outer Banks. If you ever head east for a beach vacation and are looking for suggestions, let me know! 🙂 Good luck with the move!
How exciting to not only explore but be able to immerse yourself in a different part of the country! I am excited for you!
Congratulations! I’ve never been to the downtown area, but I have friends that live in the suburbs right outside of Charlotte (Huntersville and Concord) and it’s beautiful! There’s always a festival going on and other entertainment… You’ll never be bored! Good luck with the move!
Congrats to Ryan on the new job! We just moved to Charlotte last fall for my job, and we love it. In fact, I took my first BodyPump class two weeks ago at the Uptown Y a previous commenter mentioned. 🙂 It’s gorgeous here, isn’t it? So many beautiful trees, landscaping, near the mountains and only a few hours to the beach…
We are still exploring restaurants and things to do, but you must try Napa on Providence. Took us right back to Italy!
I live in Raleigh so I say…welcome to NC! I am a native and love my home state. I know you will love living here. As you are realizing, it has so much to offer. Good luck over the coming weeks!
You will love Charlotte. Not sure what part of town you will live in but I would love to recommend a vet. The veterinary hospital of Davidson. Both doctors are so wonderful. It is just north of the city by lake Norman. For restaurants two must visits ones are Cabo Fish Taco in Noda. Which is just outside of downtown. The other is Copper for Indian food. It is the best Indian food around and is a great way to try Indian flavor if you have never had it before or if you are a huge fan. It is in Dilworth right outside of downtown. Hope you have a wonderful time exploring the city. Best wishes.
Thank you for the vet recommendation! We will definitely be looking for a good one for Sadie. I appreciate it!
Congratulations Julie! Such exciting news. I remember you saying YEARS ago that you wanted to move there, now it’s happening! I hope you find an awesome job there also, and all the very best for the big move.
I’m in the midst of moving also… from New Zealand to Mexico! Wish me luck haha x
Good luck!!! That’s definitely HUGE move!!
How exciting!! I was just near there over the weekend for a wedding! My roommate and her boyfriend are moving there next month! Charlotte is a fun city!
Ahhhhhhhhh congratulations julie!!!!! That is so gosh darn exciting!!
Moving from St. Augustine to Raleigh (now Charlotte I know :)) just over two years ago was the best decision I absolutely love it even though my family is still in Florida!
CONGRATS! That is so exciting!
Awesome! Congrats to Ryan!
I think y’all will love NC. I grew up in Spartanburg, SC (about an hour-hour & a half away) & my husband grew up in Charlotte. His sister & her husband still live there, and his parents live on Badin Lake (about an hour and a half northeast of CLT), so we try to get down to visit a couple times a year.
Good luck w/the move, I can’t wait to read about your adventures!
Congrats to you two! I’ve been reading your blog for a couple years now and have always enjoyed reading about your active lifestyle. I only hear great things about Charlotte and know that’s it’s quite an active city as well so you’ll fit right in! Are you going to be looking for a job anytime soon or you’ll be comfortable enough to have to look for something you really enjoy?
I hope to look for something after we find a place to live and are out of temp housing! Can’t wait to explore!
Wow congrats what exciting news for you guys!
That’s exciting news!! That’s great that you’ll be surrounded by more outdoor activities and have access to different fitness classes. I’ve never been to Charlotte but it sounds like a great place to live!
SO exciting–congratulations! I have always wanted to move to one of the Carolinas… or Colorado or Washington/Oregon area. So really I just want to get out of WIsconsin and I’m hoping I can when the boyfriend is back from his deployment. Can’t wait to follow your journey. =)
Welcome to Charlotte Julie! We met a couple years ago at the Philly HLS. Glad to have you in Charlotte. I’m sure you’re probably aware but there are a lot of bloggers here so you’ll sort of have an instant “family” with us if you want it! Most of us know each other and a lot of us hang out although a lot of us have had kids in the past couple years so that’s gotten a little more challenging 😉 Charlotte is great for all the reasons you and your commenters described- awesome restaurants, seasons, work out options, races, theaters, … you name it. I’ve lived here almost 8 years and love it! Definitely reach out to any of us bloggers if you want to get together or have questions about anything. Look forward to seeing you up here!
Thank you SO much for this comment, Brittney!!!! It means a lot to me and I would absolutely LOVE to connect with some Charlotte bloggers. YAY! 🙂 🙂
Congratulations! You must be so excited! I’ve always wanted to visit the Carolinas!
How exciting! Congratulations to Ryan on the job! I live in Durham, NC and visit Charlotte for a long weekend every year- it’s an awesome city! Some of my favorite things to do are to take a run in the Uptown area (ending at Viva Raw, a juice bar!), have brunch at Zada Jane’s, splurge with a lunch at Mert’s Heart and Soul, and stop at Ikea. 🙂
HOORAY for a juice bar! Can’t wait to check it out!
Awesome! I love Charlotte. I went to Winthrop University just outside of the city. Love the area and the feel. We will actually be up there in July running a trail race! You should look into it… http://www.gorunevents.com/hot-top-trail-race.html it’s a great run!
I’ll check it out!! Thank you, Taylor!
Oh my goodness, congratulations!! I live in Raleigh, but my boyfriend is in Charlotte for grad school so I visit a lot. The neighborhood called NoDa is super dog friendly and there is even a place called Dog Bar where you can grab a drink and dogs can go wild! Could be super fun for Sadie! Our pup loves it! Also, for food, Cantina 1511 is delishhhh for upscale Mexican!
Awesome! <3 <3 <3 dog friendly places!
Congratulations!!!! 🙂 I’m so excited for you two!
My boyfriend and I are looking to move to Charlotte in the new year. :):)
I’ve lived in different parts of NC my whole life! I’m in Raleigh now and I hate to tell you, but we only get about a month total of spring, summer and fall! My husband (originally from Maryland) was just complaining about that last night! Don’t worry though, Sadie will get to see at least a dusting of snow! I can’t wait to see those pictures!
A dusting of snow is all I need. 🙂 I’m not sure Sadie could handle TONS of it! Ha!
Congrats!!! North Carolina is the one place I’ve always said I would move in a heartbeat with out asking questions. I love that state! You will enjoy it to the fullest I know!
I’m so excited for your family and your new adventure! I’ve wanted to visit Charlotte for some time now. I love reading a blog called Peanut Butter Runner by a gal who lives in Charlotte. I’m sure you’ve seen it, but if not you should check it out : )
I was born and raised in Charlotte and moved back here after college! So happy to hear you’re moving here – welcome!!!! You’ll love it!!! I always like to tell people it is a big city with a small town feel 🙂 There are so many fun areas to explore, events, quick weekend getaways (Charleston and Asheville are my favorites!) and tons of great restaurants! Plus the fitness community is wonderful!
My husband and I are North Carolina natives (from the Raleigh area). We are retiring from the Airforce and moving from North Dakota to Charlotte this winter. I am totally going to have to follow these posts so I can use any tricks you find during your move. Your going to love Charlotte especially the summers 🙂
AMAZING news!!! Now two of my favourite bloggers (you and Caitlin HTP) will be in North Carolina!! I can’t wait to read all about it on your blog as it’s a place I’ve DREAMED about visiting!!! Tell Ryan congratulations on the new job!! So so so happy for you all!!!
You are going to love Charlotte! I lived there for about a year and still visit all the time because my sister, brother-iin-law, and new baby nephew live there. Like others have said, definitely check out the Whitewater Center. I did a Spartan race there and it was a blast! And Crowders Mountain has great hiking with beautiful views. I’m sure Sadie would love it!