The Big Move

I am so glad that I am finally able to talk about our big move across the country! It has been such a challenge not to let it slip and now I just want to scream it from the hilltops!

Neil and I have been wanting to move for years but we have been waiting on a number of things- first his greencard, then the arrival of baby and then Neil finishing up a number of projects at his current job.  The crazy thing about moving is that we could move absolutely anywhere in the country so one of the biggest challenges was trying to decide where we would start looking.  Since we have intended to move for years now I have been researching the best places for us to move which included North Carolina, greater DC area, Austin, Denver, Boulder, San Francisco Bay area and the Pacific Northwest.

Finally in late November Neil started applying for jobs and after an unsuccessful interview with a company in Austin he had a successful interview with a company in the Portland area. This interview was so successful that he was offered the job only 15 minutes after interviewing- crazy right? We knew that it was a possibility that he could get the job and so we had already discussed things but it was still a bit of a shock.  We had to make a pretty quick decision and after a little negotiating Neil accepted the position and moving plans were in full motion.

This all happened on November 30th and since then we have been busy busy busy.  I have spent my days taking care of E while trying to find time to back, sort through our things, arrange movers, and find a place to live.  Neil and I have never made a move this big before so it was all new on top of the fact we are moving to Portland site unseen.

That’s right neither of us has ever been to Portland.  My only experience of the west I have traveled is California where I spent a few days in Long Beach before heading out on a cruise about 7 years ago. Neil lived in Vancouver for a few months about 10+ years ago but that was short lived and not a huge move like we are making.

We have had to arrange our own movers which has been a huge undertaking because not only are we moving our things we are also shipping our car out.  We decided that it wasn’t the greatest idea for Neil to drive cross country by himself in January and well there was no question that Edith and I would be flying out because well who really wants to drive cross country with a six month old.

We finally set up movers and to get our goods by the time Neil or I arrive they have to be picked up this Friday or Saturday.  So the past week we have been rushing to pack up all of our belongings, sell off almost all of our furniture (most from Ikea so cheaper to replace than move plus we were looking to replace a number of things) and go through and donate anything we don’t need/want.

On top of finding movers we had to find a place to live site-unseen.  Let me tell you this was a huge challenge considering we have never even visited Portland before.  Neil had a few tips from the recruiter on where would be good places to live and finally after contacting a number of places we found an apartment that is close to Neil’s job, walking distance from Whole Foods-um…dangerous, seemingly nice and would rent to us for 10 months site-unseen.

Edith has spent a lot of time in this box while I pack

The next few days are going to be chaotic as we finish last minute packing and wait for the movers to arrive but then we will be off to my parents to celebrate the Holiday’s.  We will be staying with them since we will have no belongings besides clothes and essentials and then Neil will be flying out on the 2nd and Edith, my mom and I will be flying out on the 9th.

This is a huge move and things are crazy busy right now but I hope to get back to regular blogging as soon as this weekend is over.  Also if you live in the Portland/Beaverton area if you can suggest a great yoga studio(s), doctors/pediatricians/dentists, or any tips about the area that would be great.