[wendyquat]

After visiting for a month last June we made the decision to go back to eastern NC, sell our house and 5 acres and make the move to TV. After returning for a visit in December I am questioning our decision. Don't know if it's the cold weather or just cold feet! It just seems to be such a monumental task to "get it all done" I'm wondering if it would be easier to just stay where we are! My hubby doesn't weigh in much about it. He's happy anywhere and just wants to make me happy. Anyone else have mixed feelings about making the move to TV?

[Mikitv]

Sorry, after doing research on areas never had a doubt about moving here. It was a job getting rid of stuff, selling and two moves to get here, but worth it.

[mzmom3]

"When in doubt, don"t"

We learned the hard way.

[K9-Lovers]

It's a daunting task to make a major move. Just take it a step at a time. If you don't move to TV, you will regret it later. This place is FABULOUS and warm weather is always just a day or two away. We've been here 8 months now and we know it was the best decision to move here.

[erictarleton]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

After visiting for a month last June we made the decision to go back to eastern NC, sell our house and 5 acres and make the move to TV. After returning for a visit in December I am questioning our decision. Don't know if it's the cold weather or just cold feet! It just seems to be such a monumental task to "get it all done" I'm wondering if it would be easier to just stay where we are! My hubby doesn't weigh in much about it. He's happy anywhere and just wants to make me happy. Anyone else have mixed feelings about making the move to TV?

Why not stay for an extended period of say 6 months to see what it is like on a semi-permanent basis before you commit.

[l2ridehd]

Any move you chose to make on your own always causes questions and doubts. Also the older you get the harder making the move becomes. I like the above advice. Rent for 6 months. I would also rent in at least a couple different locations. By the end of the six months you will know for sure what the right decision will be. It is a very minor cost when you're making a decision that will impact the rest of your life. And also you will know where you want to live, the type home you want, and many other things about the area. You will better understand the real estate market, how to find the best buy, new or resale, how to buy a FSBO, and be such a better informed buyer. My guess is the savings you will achieve on your purchase will pay for most of the rentals. And after doing all that, you will know without any doubt that the decision you make is the right decision.

[redwitch]

Another vote to come for an extended visit. TV has a lot to offer. I'm one of the very few that moved here not because of a grand desire to be part of this community but because I had to move regardless of my desires and this seemed as good a place as any. Since moving here, I've come to love TV -- its people, its ambiance, its never-ending activities, but mainly its people.

Some may fall in love with TV at first sight. Some may have an infatuation when they first visit and, like most infatuations, it goes away when you get away from the source. Some just have TV grow on them and we find that we've made the right choice regardless of how we felt when we first arrived. So, come back, give it another try. See how you feel after a long stay. Then you'll know if TV is the right spot for you or whether you need to stay where you are or find something entirely different.

[billethkid]

that you are not ready to move from where you are currently established....no matter the destination in contention.
It simply means you are either not ready, yet. Or not really interested in making a change in your life style(s).
Not a negative. Just a very real fact of life.

btk

PS the least cost move (on either end) is the one you make today!

[2 Oldcrabs]

If you can rent for 6 months or longer (thru some winter & summer months) you may have a better idea of what is like to live in TV. We have talked to many people who live in TV and most love it there, but miss the children and grandchildren. Telecommunication is not the same as "hugs & kisses". Traveling by car & plane can get expensive and a hassel. Also when one spouse dies how easy will it be to stay in TV or move back to family. We have friends who move to TV in 1998 and loved it there, but as they have gotten on in age, they want to be near the family. Their house has been on the market for over a year with VLS first and now MLS. They live in a smaller designer priced well under 200k. They are pretty stressed. Everyones situation is differnt. Only you can make an informed decision.

[bluedog103]

Renting is probably a great idea. We bought in TV and have no regrets but I'm glad we're snowbirds. It's a good feeling to know that in a few months, after the snow stops, we'll rejoin our family and friends back home.

[wendyquat]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It helps to know that others share my thoughts and feelings. Actually we have been in the same tiny town in NC for 40 years and, as it is not home for either of us, have always had it in the back of the mind to leave when my husband retired. Great folks and friends there but the town has absolutely zilch to offer in the way of restaurants and activities. People just tend to "roll over and prepare to die" when they reach retirement status! My youngest son and his family, who also live close by in NC, came here for a couple of days for Christmas and I think my heart just did a flip when I saw them drive off Christmas Day knowing that if we lived here I wouldn't know how long I would have to wait to see them again.
I think the extended rental suggestion is the best idea (if we ever sell in NC) and I appreciate the suggestions. I'm afraid if we just take the house off the market and drop the idea of moving to TV we'd always wonder if we made the right decision. Thanks everyone for your input. It really does help!

[JenAjd]

Originally we were going to be snowbirds. We bought our place down here 2 years ago. The very first 6 months we were living here we found we couldn't really "connect" well here and that the people up north, more or less moved on just as if we'd moved. So it was harder to re-connect with them when we returned. PLUS we found it was a pain to have two places to care for (taxes, utilities, lawn care and snow-removal etc.) We LOVED it here so we sold the place up north and made TV a permenant home.

Yes, it does take time to make connections in a new place but everyone here is in the same boat so it's a bit easier to make friends we've found. You can still go "north" in the hot summer months to visit and those folks can come down here as well.

One other thing we found upon going back was we were bored!!! After living here with so many activities to do it just wasn't the same anymore back "home". Even the "home" feeling had changed. But you need to make the decision that's best for you as noone else is living in your shoes.

[SALYBOW]

The older we get, the harder it is to move. Actually, it is never easy. I have heard many say that their move was hard. I know ours was. I wanted to come at first but started to get cold feet also. The day we were leaving I told my husband, I was not going. After we got here I was homesick and still miss some people a lot.
After trips home for both holidays i BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT i WAS EAGER TO GO HOME, AND HOME WAS TV EVEN WHEN i RETURNED to TV YESTERDAY and saw how cold it was, I was glad to be here.
Next week two of my sons and one of their wives are coming to visit. I am very excited to show them "my new home." All in all I think what you are going through is normal at times. Change is always stressful and so is moving.
Visiting for 6 months is a good suggestion but it will really only give you the experience of being a snowbird, and maybe being a snowbird is what would be best for you.
The one word of advise I wish someone would have given me was to sell as much furniture wias you can emotionally part with and buy what you need at a consignment shop down here. THEY HAVE LOVELY STUFF AT A PRICE THAT WILL RIVAL MOVING IT ALL. I WISH I had. (Sorry for the caps)

[2BNTV]

I agree with the idea of renting for an extended period of time to allow you to resolve feelings of conflict.

When you know how you truly feel, the decision to move or not to move will be clearcut.

There were times when I felt that moving would not be in my best interest because of the stress. There were also times that I wished it happened yesterday. Sometmes change can be scary. Only time will tell you what's right for you.

Best Wishes on your future decision.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

After visiting for a month last June we made the decision to go back to eastern NC, sell our house and 5 acres and make the move to TV. After returning for a visit in December I am questioning our decision. Don't know if it's the cold weather or just cold feet! It just seems to be such a monumental task to "get it all done" I'm wondering if it would be easier to just stay where we are! My hubby doesn't weigh in much about it. He's happy anywhere and just wants to make me happy. Anyone else have mixed feelings about making the move to TV?

I think you move from where you are because it does not offer the life style you want. Thus the first decision is that you want to move a large over 55 community. Net would be the location. Don't think you see the benefit of the move so I would go with renting for 6 months. You are also moving from a state a lot of people are moving too. Maybe look around your local area and you might find a community you like that is close to your current friends.