We Made It!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
We Made It!
11
Mon, 07-09-2007 - 6:20pm

Hi Everyone!

We're here in Colorado! Actually, we arrived a week ago today, didn't close on the purchase of our house until July 5, and didn't take possession until July 6. We only just got on-line again yesterday.

I could write volumes about our adventures just getting here, but for the sake and comfort of my tush and back (no desks yet; I'm sitting on the floor, keyboard in my lap) and also to spare you too much time, I'll try to be quick!

It took 3 days of driving to get here. I wasn't nearly as organized as I thought I was back in CA and there was a huge last minute push to try and get everything packed at the last minute. As it was, I ended up throwing out and leaving a lot of stuff behind for neighbors and AmVets. Oh well.

The new house is really great. It is in a location that is far more rural than anyplace I have ever lived, and W and I were both a bit speechless when we first saw it. We are already used to it, however. The house is more than twice the house we left behind and with lots of great features -- as well as some strange ones. This would be, primarily, the teeny tiny water closet in the master bedroom. It is so small that in order to actually use the thing with the door shut, we have to sidle in sideways next to the toilet, then reach over to close the door. Too weird considering there are so many nice features elsewhere in the house.

There are beautiful pastoral views off the back of the house (great room and kitchen) and the front faces west for awesome views of the Front Range. I never thought I would even think this, but I am actually looking forward to seeing these views covered in snow in the winter. (I think I may end up eating those words.)

Shortly after we arrived on Friday and started unloading, a group of nearly a dozen kids in all sizes, shapes and ages appeared near the front of the house. They watched and waited for quite some time, waving and shouting out the occasional "hey neighbor!" It was cute, actually. Eventually, C and W took a break from unloading and went to introduce themselves. Two of the kids are the same age as C, however a year behind in school, but will attend the same hs as she will. Several of the kids will attend the same ms as W and one boy will be entering the same grade.

These kids welcomed mine into the neighborhood with arms wide open. Before long, all were riding bikes, roller blading, riding skate boards ... hanging out like they've know each other forever. C and W were invited lated that same day to hang out at boy C's house and swim. This was all on the first day! How cool is that?

C was very enthusiastic, of course, loved every minute. After that first day, I asked W what he thought, if he had a good time, etc. He said "It's so weird, mom. They're all so 'nice'. Friendly too." I guess he's just never encountered nice and friendly people anywhere in California! Yesterday, the kids took C and W exploring the creek and railroad tracks behind the neighborhood (told you we were country now) and W said "I even talked this time". Woo hoo!

So, so far, this has been a really great and positive move for all of us. I love the house and all the space. Down Ft. Collins is a very charming and quaint place to spend and afternoon and I think I will become very familiar with it before long. (As an aside, the Colorado State U. campus is gorgeous!) We are in a rural location, but 10 minutes to a major grocery store and a little further to other shopping. DH is setting up his work-at-home office and has to go 'back to work' next Monday. THAT should be interesting! Tomorrow, I will register the kids for their respective schools.

And today, we emptied the last of the containers of all the stuff and now, I have to empty all the boxes!

I don't have much time to read other posts or respond today -- all those boxes await and I'm tired of living in chaos!

Julie

 

 

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Mon, 07-09-2007 - 7:39pm

Congratulations on making the move! It sounds like the moving process and the first week+ has been a success! What a big change for all of you - I'm in awe of how you all were willing to make this big jump. Sounds like W is making the best of it, after all!

(((HUGS))

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Mon, 07-09-2007 - 10:39pm
Sounds great, Julie! I'm so glad the kids are already making friends and that they'll have 6-8 weeks to get to know them before school starts! Hopefully the parents/adults in the neighborhood will be as welcoming!


Pam - Ivillage Community Leader

CL:
Pam
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Tue, 07-10-2007 - 12:54pm

Hi Julie,


I've missed you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Tue, 07-10-2007 - 4:10pm
Congrats on your new home Julie.
This sounds like a very nice move for you.
Come back soon when the boxes are emptied and you can find your internet cable!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2006
Tue, 07-10-2007 - 4:44pm

Thanks for the update, Julie! I am sooo glad that everything is working out for the better!

Amelia

Avatar for mjaye2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 07-10-2007 - 5:30pm

Glad you made it and it sounds like everything is going to be great!

And, I thounght the first rule of thumb after a move is that you are *suppose* to live in chaos, at least for the 1st 3 months or so! No? Musta just been me when I moved....LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-1998
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 10:39am
Sounds like a positive move so far!
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Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 3:35pm

Funny - I was just thinking about you earlier wondering how settling in was going. So glad it's working out. Weird on the bathroom! I had one like that in grad school. Is there a bath or shower in there too? What we did to ours in our current house, if you're willing, is reverse the door and hinges, so the door opens OUT vs. in. I know, not something you're going to do right away, but it sure helped us, as our master bath also required shutting the door prior to sitting down!

And glad the kids got such a warm welcome. Takes any of those 'should we be doing this?' qualms away...

Sue

P.S. I haven't been on as the company sent me, unexpectedly, to Germany last Tuesday (with loads of plans for the 4th that I just had to miss out on); I'm still here - hope to be leaving Friday. Wish I remembered my HS German!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 4:19pm

I am so thrilled for you! Six years ago our family made a similar move, from a large suburb of Phoenix (hot, dry) to a small rural town in central PA (yikes-snow). Our family had exactly the same experience that you are now experiencing and our experiences are still continuing! We've had no second thoughts regarding the move (and yes, I love the snow) and surprising, as my younger daughter heads off to college, both girls chose colleges within 30 minutes of our town. Neither wanted to venture back to Arizona.

Although Arizona is an absolutely gorgeous state with so many amenities, I find the "rural" life quite appealing. People are much more down to earth and "real". We'll stay until our road turns again. This move was never in our thoughts (I didn't even know the town existed). When we moved, we new no one. Now we feel as though we've lived here forever. Good-luck and keep us posted!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 4:26pm

I forgot one more comment. The two biggest factors that helped me to get to know the community, etc. was volunteering at my children's school (jr. high at the time). They were so desperate to have parental involvement. I met other, wonderful people through the school. I also got to know the principal which kept me informed as to what was happening.

Also, if you have a religious affiliation, try to locate a church with an active youth group. Again, our family was so warmly welcomed by our church and we made a lot of friends there.

I think those two are good starting points. Our area also had a "Newcomers" group (most communities have them) and that opened a lot of doors. Once we were settled (I had the luxury of staying home for a full year to settle in), I went back to work and needless to say, that opened a lot of doors to meeting people as well.

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