When my now-husband, Zach, and I got engaged in February 2015, we were living in the San Francisco Bay Area in a one-bedroom apartment we rented for over $2,000 a month.
We both had family there and loved everything the Bay Area had to offer, but when we began looking to buy a condo or townhome, it was clear that affordability would be an issue for us.
Everything in our price range was so far removed from where we both worked that the commute alone would have made our lives miserable.
As we contemplated the reality of buying in the Bay Area, Zach was offered a promotion that would take us to Charlotte, North Carolina.
After a quick visit, we decided to take a chance on a new place where we could buy a home and build a life together.
We prioritized work for several moves, but we wanted something more once we started a family
When Zach and I wed in January 2016, we were living in Charlotte in a home we'd purchased in a family-friendly neighborhood we loved.
We'd made friends in our neighborhood and through work, and we even joined a curling club, where we spent most of our free time.
At first, it was great. We enjoyed our neighborhood and the camaraderie we found in our curling leagues. Then, one night at a neighbor's house, I mentioned to some friends that Zach and I were trying to start a family.
One of my neighbors, who had just had her second child, remarked that she couldn't have done it without family close by.
It got me thinking about how our family was scattered across California, Texas, and Florida, and I knew that if we wanted help from our parents, we'd have to move again.
Luckily, Zach had another promotion opportunity that allowed us to move back to California, this time to Fresno, about a two-hour drive from my mom and stepdad.
Being closer to my parents was the right move at the time, but after two years in Fresno and two babies, we knew it wasn't the right place for us.
We were still hours from other family and friends, which felt isolating. Plus, we struggled with the hot summer days that often exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Bay Area was still too expensive, especially with two children, so Zach began looking for other work opportunities within his company that could take us somewhere we hoped we'd like better.
His next role took us to Colleyville, Texas. We had some family in the state, but I didn't know anyone close by. Building community was tough and, as our boys got older, it became clear this wasn't the right fit for us, either.
The weather was erratic and hot in the summers, and though we had a big backyard, our kids got eaten alive by mosquitoes whenever we spent time outside.
We were also far from mountain activities like camping and skiing, things Zach and I both grew up doing, and wanted to share with our kids.
So, we decided to make one more move — this time, for personal reasons.
Over the course of almost a year, we made a list of must-haves, including a more moderate climate, mountains for hiking and skiing, vibrant city life with access to cultural events and unique experiences, and highly rated public schools.
It was a tall order, but we knew we couldn't uproot our family again for something we weren't sure about.
Once we made a move just for us, we finally found our perfect home base
Using our list of needs and knowledge of places we had traveled, we eventually set our sights on Denver. We both knew people in the area, either through work or personal connections, including my youngest sister, who had moved to Colorado a few months prior.
It was a place we had always talked about living, and a quick trip to look at neighborhoods confirmed that Denver was what we had been looking for. The only thing left to figure out was work.
While we were living in Texas, I had started building a freelance writing business, which was great for flexibility with the kids, but inconsistent because it's project-based.
Zach's job had always been our driver for moving and provided the stability we needed as a family. We knew any move we made for personal reasons had to be supported by his work as well.
Luckily, after a difficult but constructive conversation, his employer allowed him to work remotely. Within a couple of months, we were on our way to our new home in Denver.
Since moving last summer, we feel more settled than ever before. We found a walkable neighborhood we love. We're making friends and enjoying the activities we've always wanted to share with our kids, like skiing and hiking.
We're spending our weekends having porch drinks with neighbors and visiting local attractions with school friends. We're enjoying life more than ever because we've finally found a place that suits us.
After all the moves, it feels good to know we've finally found our forever home.
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Blythe Chadim is a freelance writer in Denver, CO. She focuses on all things family, including lifestyle, travel, health, and Denver living. She enjoys the outdoors and loves taking new adventures with her husband and two boys.
