Five years ago this week we moved from sunny Palm Springs, California to sunny Arizona!
I wrote several posts about leaving my home of 28 years. It was stressful, sad, yet exciting. We had some snafus along the way. The movers didn’t bring a large enough moving van for all our stuff. They had to rent a U Haul. With everyone leaving California, they couldn’t find one close by. They had to rent one from San Diego.
We arrived in our new home without our stuff. (But we had a sedated Olive kitty, who was not a good traveler.) Fortunately, we had purchased the furniture in the casita from the prior owners, so we had a place to sleep! And I smartly packed bedding in one of our cars, plus overnight bags with changes of clothing.
Our stuff eventually caught up with us.
Here’s one of the posts from five years ago:
Moving On To Excitement
The past month, I’ve been all over the place emotionally. I’ve been through shock, disbelief, sadness, regret and anxiety. But I woke up today and I’ve moved on. I’m feeling the anticipation of a new adventure. I haven’t moved since 1992 and I’m excited for a new experience.
I don’t know what happened to change my point of view. It may be that the escrows are going well and it looks like all will close this week on both ends of the move. So that takes a chunk out of the anxiety. We worked really hard the past two weeks, packing, throwing stuff out and making daily trips to Angel View Thrift Store — and the end is in sight.
I wish my daughter would come and help us move. But with the state in a new COVID shut down until after Christmas, she viewed the flight home and driving one of our cars to Arizona for us as not “essential.” Of course, I viewed that differently. But I do understand. She doesn’t want to get us old folks sick. She doesn’t want to get her brother and significant other sick, either.
We were surprised by one of our dear Piranha Swim Team family friends who offered to help us out. They volunteered to drive one of our cars. We didn’t even have to ask. That makes me appreciate the life we’ve had here, the friendships that are so true and valuable.
We’ve been blessed and I am ready to move on, knowing those friendships will continue.
What moves have you made? Did you experience mixed emotions?
What were you doing five years ago?
I don’t think I was reading your blog 5 years ago EA so I enjoy reading up on the changes and emotions you felt at the time. And to do all that in the midst of Covid- wow! I can relate to many of the emotions given my recent move. Five years ago I would have emphatically told you I was never leaving WA 🙂
It was a strange time to move. My husband always wanted to retire in Arizona and we had a close friend here that encouraged the move. Prices were going through the roof in Palm Springs, plus my husband was working remotely, so he felt it was time. Looking back, I’m so thankful we did it. At the time it was difficult. I’m sure you went through mixed emotions leaving WA too before you made up your mind.
I’m glad that I made the choice to come here. I needed a push to understand that I didn’t need to fear a major change. I’d gotten into a very predictable way of life after my divorce in 2017. It wasn’t easy contemplating another major change after that. Sometimes you just need to make that leap!
I agree that change can be intimidating. You weren’t divorced that long ago. You have gone through some major changes and must be stronger because of it. It seems like you’re really enjoying everything new in Colorado and being a part of your grandkids daily lives.
I have not moved many times. I know eventually I will move but that’s a way off. Five years ago I’m sure I was cursing someone out….
You’re so funny. So did you grow up in the city?
Suburbs of Long Island. Which I hated.
We had a close friend from there, too. He moved all over the country for his job. I don’t know if he missed Long Island or not.
It’s so generic it’s impossible to miss it
Interesting.
Wow, I’m glad that things are settling down for you! Moving house is always stressful. Try doing this from Michigan to Nevada! Arizona is a beautiful state!
Thank you! So true that moving from So Cal to Arizona was not a big move like you had.
You’re welcome! I’m not moving from Nevada any time soon. Since you are in a neighboring state, howdy neighbor! 😂❤️😎🌴
Howdy! 😁
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Oh how the time flies! I don’t think I was following you five years ago, so it’s neat to catch a glimpse into the big day.
I can’t believe it’s been five years already! It was a very emotional time. It was our dream home and where we raised our kids. We moved in while I was pregnant with my oldest. I’m glad you enjoyed our moving day!
I loved reading about your move to Arizona. Your yard in California was gorgeous!
It was a beautiful old Spanish home built in 1937. Tough to leave but it wasn’t practical to live in California. The yard was one of the best things about living there. Plus we were two blocks from restaurants and shopping.
How nice!
😊
Having moved three times in one year, you have my total empathy! The final house was just 7 miles from the old house of 20 years but it still feels ‘not quite our home’. We moved from country to country when I was younger but it is much harder in senior years…
I understand how you must feel like the home close by is not quite your home. I feel strange when I go back to visit Palm Springs. It doesn’t feel the same either. It is harder to move the older we get.
I am certainly set in my ways… 👵
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That was a good friend to offer you a hand moving! Not many around like that. I just had to look into my date book for a project. 5 years ago was different from today. Both good and challenging times. I know that moving can be very very stressful. I don’t think it will happen anytime soon for us. We are good in Florida.
I needed help getting our second car to Arizona and they packed up everything from our fridge and freezer. True friends. We’ve had them stay with us any time they’re in the area.
Wow – five years! And right before Christmas – that’s a big move! It’s been a long time since I moved so I’m sure I’d have a huge jumble of emotions. It’s nice to get a peek into how you navigated it. Thanks, Elizabeth!
I was surprised at how quickly we had to move. I had the realtor put a high price on our house and assured the kids nobody would pay that much. We got four offers over asking in four hours! It was such a crazy time during Covid. People were leaving LA and SF for Palm Springs, buying homes sight unseen. They wanted more space and to have yards and pools during the shut down.
Beautiful yard!
Moving is certainly a mixture of emotions. I moved 11 times. 7 times while growing up and 4 times since being married. I told my husband I am not moving again unless it’s close to the beach. LOL!.
That’s a lot of moves. I moved once as a child. A few moves during my college years. My husband and I moved a lot early on in our marriage, but settled in one house for 28 years! Now we’re here for good — unless it’s the beach!
We have been at this house since 2005 . 🙂
Maybe we will end up at the same beach same beach some year. LOL!
I’m all for it!
Me too! 😎
We’ve been in our house for over 30 years and don’t have any plans to leave. When I read about the cold weather and snow others are experiencing right now, it’s hard to imagine moving. Today was in the mid- to high-70s and the tourists were swimming in the ocean without wet suits (us locals are too wimpy to do that). I’m glad you move worked out so well for you!
Wow. That sounds fabulous — your weather and the beach. What beaches do you live by? I would never have moved if we were near the ocean. I did move because we were within the same Sonoran Desert and have our vacations at the beach. We had similar temperatures today to yours, but the nights are colder in the desert than near the ocean.
What a crazy time to be moving! I think it’s even more difficult to uproot as we age. But plenty of people do it. I’ve been in this house about as long as you were in Palm Springs. And in Durango 40 years now. Moving to another town? Perish the thought! But this house might become too much at some point.
I was busy working on my first book five years ago.
Good for you to get your first book published so quickly. That’s quite an accomplishment and a testament to your hard work.
It is hard to uproot as we age. I had a friend in Palm Springs who advised me to move while I was still young enough to meet people, be active, etc. I’m glad we did!
It’s already been 5 years!!! Wow! I’m glad you’re finding good people here as well.
Time goes by so quickly. Yes, there are some really good people in our neighborhood.
So true! Time just flies by.
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Lovely sunset.
Thank you!
Welcome my dear Wickham. May you get all the happiness in the world
Well, I guess I’ve never really settled anywhere for very long, We’ve been renters for many years now and lucky in where have lived, our last for 12 years! But in 2022 we were given notice that the landlord wanted to sell! Panic. We’d been kind of looking anyway due to that Covid thing but this really lit a fire under us. We hit upon our current house in online searches, in an area we hadn’t considered but really liked it so….
A 475 mile drive, an overnight with my sister and a drop-in to view and we loved it. Said yes. So did the landlady and here we are, absolutely loving it and it’s a VERY different life.
Those few weeks of searching, worrying were kind of hell but, we did it, in a very short space of time.
Would the movers get up here?
All sorts of worries and concerns but, here we are, almost four years on. Best move ever. Urban life to very rural life.
Wow, I didn’t realize you made your big move during the pandemic. I’m so happy that you had good friends who were willing to help you. I realize things in California were very different (strict) than in Florida and we were pretty much doing things as we always did, with no repercussions, so moving wouldn’t have been so difficult here, but alas, not too many people were moving out of state.
It is scary to make that big leap, and I feel you!! Your yard was so sweet, I hope the new owners are enjoying all the hard work you guys put into that home.
It was a strange time to move. CA was on total lockdown while Arizona was not. It was interesting to say the least as I was trying to figure out the protocals.
As for my old house, the new owners gutted it. They think it’s a mid century home rather than a 1937 Spanish Colonial. Mid century is popular there. They took out the Mexican pavers and wood beamed ceilings. Everything is white marble inside and they painted the French doors blue. I saw it online and was devastated. It’s also an AirBNB.
I’m so thankful for my friends!