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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Charlotte is amazing! I love reading your blog and I’m super excited that you are moving up here!! Welcome to the Queen City, it’s beautiful you will love it here!
Congratulations Julie! I am selfishly already looking forward to your posts from North Carolina! Most of what I know about it comes from reading Nicholas Sparks but it does seem like an idyllic little state! So excited for you!! 🙂 Good luck moving!
I have lived in Charlotte for over 6 years! I really think you will enjoy all it has to offer! Such a great mix of city and suburbs, not to mention the mountains and beach are close too! You will love yoga and fitness community! It is BOOMING! I actually teach at a studio called Charlotte Yoga, and would love to have you in class 🙂 be sure to check out a restaurant called Soul for some tapas, Nolen Kitchen for dinner and Sunday brunch, and Amelie’s is a cute dessert/ coffee shop. Good luck with the move!
How exciting!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to see how it all pans out for you! Hooray!
Congratulations to you and Ryan! Moving is like a great adventure – with enough boxes to build the world’s best fort! 😉
How exciting!!! Congrats, Julie!!
I JUST moved away from Charlotte last year! I actually lived about 30 minutes away in a more rural area, but every time I got to go down to south park was a real treat!! I was just there last week visiting friends and visited an old favorite of mine, Cowfish Burger and sushi bar – highly recommend! Also, try out Sweet Frog and Yoforia froyo!! So excited for your new adventure in life!
Hooooooray for froyo! 🙂
Congratulations Julie (and Ryan!!) That’s such exciting news, and how cool that you get to live where you’ve always dreamed to live?! I moved away from home (a 16 hour flight away, to be exact) when I left for university, but had regular Skype and phone dates with my family so they definitely didn’t feel very far away. Good luck with the move, and I can’t wait to follow along for the NC chapter of your life! 🙂
Ahhhhh that is so exciting!! I love the Carolinas. You should definitely check out Asheville. Tons of cute restaurants, wineries, shops, and the Biltmore mansion.
Congrats!!! I know you mentioned it in your other post but one of my Best Friends works for the Charlotte Knights. You and Ryan will have to go check out a game.. Would you and Ryan ever consider moving back to Chicagoland area? I live out in Naperville
We have talked about it!!
Ahhhhh so exciting!!! I moved to Charlotte from MD almost 7 years ago, right out of college, and LOVE IT! I know you guys will too. If you’re looking to be around other young married couples who’ve yet to start a family, I suggest south end (my boyfriend and I have lived here 3 years and love it), dilworth, or maybe South Park. Avoid west Charlotte at all costs – very dangerous. There are sooo many great restaurants here, fun stuff all year round (you MUST do the Xmas lights at McAdenville around Christmas), and a very active fitness community too! Welcome!!!!!
I have to disagree with the comment to avoid the west side entirely. I have friends who live in Wesley Heights and Wilmore, and while there have been issues and it is not for everyone, there have been improvements and new construction in the area. Also, the Stratford Richardson Y on West Blvd is clean, fairly new, and never crowded like the other Ys. I have never felt unsafe working out there.
Ahhh!! Huge congrats on the move – and also in a short time like my move with my husband. Hopefully you can get face time, or Skype set up on your phones/computers so you can still chat to everyone back in Florida.
I don’t envy your packing process, but hopefully you have a lot of friends to come and help. Or just sell all your stuff like I WISH we did! 🙂
Again, a big congratulations to you – yay for seasons!!!!
AHH so exciting! I am so happy for y’all! I am a long time reader and you are definitely my favorite blog! I am 24 years old and live in Charlotte (was born here! Only left for college!) and would love to meet you and help y’all with anything. I live near Freedom Park and work uptown so please feel free to email me with any questions! Congratulations again, y’all will love it here!
Welcome to North Carolina! You’re going to love it here 🙂
That is such exciting news!! I’m from the north but I go to school in North Carolina and have absolutely fallen in love with it. It is so beautiful and the people are incredibly friendly. My all time favorite place is Cookout, they have something like 50 flavors of milkshakes (my favorite is peanut butter fudge, which is definitely up your alley!) and hush puppies and all that jazz and it’s only in NC and a couple of surrounding states. Another really good restaurant is Zoe’s Kitchen which has really fresh, Greek style food, I love their salads. It’s a very charming state.
You’ll absolutely love it and be saying y’all in no time! 🙂
I second you on Cookout! I l live in Greenville, SC and used to make trips up to Charlotte just for Cookout. Was so happy when we got them down here! 🙂
I’m a Charlottean born and raised, and can’t wait for you to love this city as much as I do! So happy for you and Ryan!! -your biggest fan in the queen city 🙂
Yay! Thank you, Molly!
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a year or two now and really enjoy it! I’ve lived in Charlotte for 11 years, all in the Huntersville/Lake Norman area and absolutely love it! I worked uptown for 7 years before having kids and really enjoyed the city. Charlotte has so much to offer..I hope you will email me with questions about anything and everything! The fitness scene is amazing here and so is the food! I recommend Y2 for yoga, Good Food on Montford for an awesome dinner, Lunas Living Kitchen for a great lunch, Southpark Mall and Monkee’s boutique in Davidson for shopping, and much much more!! Congrats on the new job for Ryan!
Congrats to you and Ryan! My family and I live in Irmo SC and we make a quick trip to Charlotte once a month because of all the great options. You will find many options for outdoor activities too. Best wishes!
Congrats to y’all! I was born and raised in Charlotte and absolutely love it! Such an active, beautiful, diverse city. Will he be working in the city? There are ton of great apartment complexes in the area surrounding the city. I would highly encourage y’all to look around the South Park area. The places are pretty pricey there but you can find some great places for a deal. It is also right in the center of things and easy access to just about everything. Good luck to y’all!
Ahhh – that’s so exciting and you will absolutely love it! I was born and raised in FL but went to college in North Carolina about an hour from Charlotte and absolutely loved it. My boyfriend and I recently moved from North Carolina to New Jersey to be closer to his family but we’ve made a decision to move back to the Carolinas within 5 years or so. There’s just something about that area that’s calling us back – so excited for you!
That’s awesome news! I used to live in Boone, NC just a 2 hr drive up the mountain from Charlotte. I recommend you visiting Boone and Grandfather Mountain one weekend! I have always said I will move back and move to the Charlotte area so maybe we will be neighbors soon!
Congratulations, Julie!!! I am so happy for you and Ryan!! I recently moved to Tennessee (in January) from Maine, and it’s been nothing but a great adventure! I’m very excited for you three (Sadie included)!
I have been a long time reader of PBF, and am so excited to hear you are moving to Charlotte! I’ve lived here my whole life and absolutely love it. I live in the Dilworth neighborhood, which has been amazing. It’s a very “active” and friendly part of town–not to mention, there are so many great restaurants nearby. A few of my favorites are Cowfish, Cabo Fish Taco, Vivace, Fern…the list goes on and on! Hope to run into you at some point!
I am from NC originally but in WI now. Yay for you moving! Seasons there really are beautiful. You will love it!
I live in Charlotte now! I have been here about six years and love it! True to your comments it’s clean and there is always something going on! Halcyon uptown is the best for a fancy dinner out – we love it! And body pump at the uptown ymca! Flywheel and flybarre! Soul gastrolounge! So many things! Best wishes – hope to catch you out and about to introduce myself!!
Thanks for commenting, Kate! You just made me even more excited!
Congratulations to both of you! I have always wanted to live in North Carolina. I’m originally from West Virginia, but have moved around (including Wheaton, IL) before settling in TX 10 years ago where I met my husband. I miss seasons, and mountains, SO much!!! Best of luck to you all and I hope the house hunt goes well!
I love North Carolina! Congrats!
About an hour north of you in Winston-Salem! Perhaps a coffee date and workout? Welcome (almost) to NC!!
Congratulations! Your excitement comes across loud and clear in this post. I’ve moved several times for work. My advice…savor the experience! Every bit of it!
That is so exciting! Congrats to you and Ryan!! It sound like North Carolina is going to be a perfect fit for y’all!
Oh my goodness! I’m so excited for you. I love Charlotte! Wishing both of you and Sadie a safe move and trip!
We are going to miss seeing you around Ocala and at church. This is a exciting new season in your life – enjoy every moment!
Congrats to Ryan! Moving is always so exciting and filled with so many positive changes. I currently live pretty far from my family but thankfully with today’s technology (skype, Facebook, etc) it is easy to stay connected.
Congratulations!
Charlotte sounds like such an awesome city. I’ve never been there (unless you count 2 different 9- hour layovers in the airport), but I’d love to visit one day. All the best to you, Ryan, and Sadie! 🙂
I commented on your Charlotte trip post a few weeks ago to say that I was excited to read it because I was moving to Charlotte that week. I’ve been here 2 weeks (and am selfishly reading all of these comments to get some great recommendations) and am already in love with the city! Everyone I’ve met has been so friendly and the number of dining/shopping options is almost overwhelming. I did my first run on the greenway trails yesterday – they are a great. Good luck with the move (I definitely know how crazy it can be) and I look forward to reading about your own transition here!
Congrats!
So excited for y’all! I grew up living about 30 miles west of Charlotte and moved here after college in 2006. Charlotte is a wonderful city and I hope y’all will love it! So many fun things to do and tons of great restaurants. The U.S. National Whitewater Center is just a short drive and extremely dog friendly. Also, a visit to Asheville or Boone/Blowing Rock is a quick day trip. Not sure if you’re still involved with Junior League but there is a very active league here. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the area. Welcome to the Tar Heel State!!
Congrats, Julie. I live in Asheville now, so we will almost be neighbors. You will LOVE fall in the mountains. Charlotte is an awesome city–and so many bloggers live there!
Congrats!! That is exciting!!
And NOW you have to get BodyPump certified once you’re settled!!! 😉
sooo exciting!!! cant wait to read your new journey! 🙂
I have lived here for seven years. Let me know if you need anything.
Congrats and good luck!!!
Holy wows! As a North Carolinian who has been reading your blog for a while this is pretty exciting. I also understand the pains of moving as I’m currently in the process of it. I lived in Charlotte when I was 10 so I probably don’t have the best recommendations, but I do suggest checking out Discovery Place. And if you need any NC help (especially mountain related) there are even more recommendations 🙂
Congrats!!! I am so happy for you and your husband. I bet it will be a great fresh start for you family. Especially when it comes to trying out new restaurants, fitness facilities, attractions, etc. I’d love that. I understand that it can be hard to live farther away from your family, but it makes it even more important/emotional when you do see them. Congrats again!
OMG this is such exciting news!!!! I can’t wait to follow you guys on your new adventure! I may have secretly been hoping you were moving to Minnesota! haha!!! O well…
Woohoo congratulations to you both! Thank god you’re taking us with you! You should definitely write this blog forevvverrr 🙂
http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/
You may or may not read this blog, but it is another blog that I read daily, along with yours! She lives in charlotte and blogs about health, fitness and everyday life. I think you will really enjoy reading, if you don’t already!!
Congrats!!!I loveeeeee Charlotte and one day will live there. I am so excited to follow along 🙂
My sister just moved to Charlotte and she loves it! Congratulations!
You will love Charlotte! The YMCA community is awesome. Hoping you’ll consider being a group ex instructor!! 🙂