Moving to the desert
A new adventure awaits me and my little family— in a just a few short weeks we are moving to Moab, Utah!
For those of you who don’t know, Moab is a little town about 4 hours southeast of Salt Lake City (where we live currently) and is known mostly as a tourist destination. People travel from all over the world to spend time outdoors among the stunning and unique red rock formations.
My husband received a job offer with a local resort that we just couldn’t pass up, and so we’re packing up our home and heading south.
Truth be told, I am beyond devastated to leave my home and community in Salt Lake City, especially considering Moab is so remote and far from all friends and family. (There has been a lot of ugly crying.) But with every passing day it gets easier, and even though I’m scared I know it will all work out. And I know we’re probably going to have a lot of fun too.
Packing up a home and moving is no piece of cake, so if posts are a little more sporadic during the next few weeks I hope you’ll understand. Once we’re settled, it should be back to business as usual (though maybe with a higher number of ice cream recipes, because Moab is hot). In the meantime, you can follow along with our moving adventures on Instagram.
Has your family had to relocate? If so, I’d love to hear how you coped with it in the comments!
One of my favorite places in the US!
I’ve relocated twice–once for a job and once for love–but was single when I did it so never had to think beyond my own needs. When I moved this last time, social media paved the way. By the time I arrived I had coffee and beer meet-ups arranged with more than a dozen people.
At least you have that gorgeous red rock country as a consolation. My boyfriend and I have always wondered what it would be like to live there (or in Kanab or Torrey). We usually go to southern Utah every year for a hiking vacation, but this year we’re mixing it up and going to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons NPs instead. I bet, when you have time, get a lot of good posts out of this adventure. Take notes! Good luck!
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, Deirdre! You are so right about how great social media is. I can take my current friends with me through technology, and use it to make new ones. Thank goodness for the internet! 🙂
I can’t even imagine how hard it is to move a whole house and family on short notice like this, and of course I am sad to see you go. But I also think Moab is a wonderful place to raise a family with a lot of things (like warmer weather!) that are really appealing. And I know you will make the best of it, and hopefully have some amazing adventures in the red rock country! xoxo
Wow! That’s exciting (and understandably scary, too)! I’ve only visited Moab once since living in Utah, but I absolutely loved it. Best of luck to you guys!
oh man, congrats on the new job, moving is tough though. we’re from new england, our entire family is in maine, and we moved cross country to the PNW last year. It’s hard at times, being so far away from everyone, but it can be really fun too, lots of adventures and memories made, exploring to do. And it just makes it that much more special and exciting when you do see everyone!
And you’re only 4 hours away, you can head up there any weekend you’d like! goodluck!
We’ve relocated a few times and moving I’d always a challenge, but I love the chance to start over some place new. I will say that culture shock always hits, even when it’s a desired move. Give yourself a break and time to adjust when it hits. It’s normal
It’s hard to leave what you’re used to and comfortable with. But, you will get to explore and master a new and really unique part of our country. I wish you and your family all good things in your new home Annalise and look forward to some great desert desserts!
Oh moving. So exciting and so hard all at the same time. I’ve moved around a lot and the only thing that seems to help me is just to fully commit yourself to the idea. You can’t look back! Thinking of you and good luck! XOXOXO
Woah – Moab looks absolutely beautiful!! I’m sure this is a scary time but I know it will all work out and you will make a new home with lots of new friends in your new city. Best of luck my friend!
Thank you so much, Liz! I know it will all be okay, and your words mean so much! Let me know if you ever wanna visit red rock country. 😉
What an adventure you have ahead! I know those mixed emotions well, we have relocated MANY a time. Each time I swear it is our last, but each one brings new beginnings and new friends. I can’t wait to see how you settle into Moab!
I always love to hear other people’s relocation success stories! If you can do it several times and still come out on top, well then so can I. Thanks for the words of encouragement, Liren! 🙂
If nothing else, this will give you the opportunity to throw out all of the baggage and take only what you love and treasure on your new adventure. While I know this is a huge, new, crazy path you’re about to embark on, I for one can’t wait to follow along! Congrats to all of you!!! Rock on~
I’m really sorry that you’re upset about the move, but I’m sure everything will work out and you’ll settle in no time! I just learned last week that I’m moving to Chicago for my fiance’s residency–so if you need to commiserate about anything moving related, feel free to reach out!
Wishing you all the best!
Thanks Laura! I remember seeing your Chicago announcement on facebook around the same time we decided to go to Moab. Moving is crazy, right?! I hope you at least get a little more time than we did to get all the arrangements made, I swear that’s where most of my emotions and anxiety is coming from. I wish you and your husband all the best, too! And looking forward to following along!
Annalise, WOW! This is such a big transition, but I hope it is a wonderful adventure for you all. Sending big hugs, good vibes, and wishes for a smooth move!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Erin! xoxo
Oh, I’m sorry this has started out as a hardship for you. Moving is supposed to be exciting, especially with a great new job waiting at the other end. So sorry.
But when you get there, you can make cookies and take them around to all your new neighbors! That is ALWAYS fun and gets you off on the right foot. Plus, the previous owners of your new house were probably annoying and terrible, with dandelions and barking dogs and stuff. So you’ll also be restoring honor to the neighborhood as a master baking wizard with a successful recipe developing blog. High five!
Thank you Emily! I’m not sure why this is hitting me so hard emotionally, but change is just hard I guess. I know it will all work out, and I’m sure there is a lot of fun in my future. Thanks again, always, for the kind words! 🙂
I am experiencing the same thing your family is going through right now. I live in Madrid, Spain, and my family is moving to Houston, Tx in the next month. It is a huge adventure but it is scary. Going all the way from Europe to America means leaving a lot of stuff behind. Not just family, friends, community and our home. It means a complete change of the way of leaving, a change of culture…
I am feeling scared and excited withing the same hour. But I am sure this will be a great opportunity to get to know your great country. 😉
Beatriz
Wow, that is quite the move! And puts mine in perspective. I actually lived in Houston as a teenager and I can almost guarantee that no place is more different than Europe. 🙂 But I hope that you will eventually fall in love with it as I did. I wish you all the best!!
Annalise, I have had family move away from me, but I have never moved from my family. It is hard either way. I am super excited for you, and sad at the same time. We spent a few days in Moab a few years back with our kids it was the bomb, and a few days was not enough time there is so much to see….I think I need to come visit you! WINK 😉 If I remember right there are some yummy places to eat in Moab! Also we met a lady that had relocated from the town we live in in Michigan to there….my kids had Grandville shirts, small world. I wish you all the best Annalise. I’ll send up a prayer for you! xo Sheila
Thanks so much Sheila! You know you are always welcome to come visit us in Moab! 🙂
How exciting! I’m sure it’s hard to move away from close friends and family but you’re doing what’s good for your little family. Plus, 4 hours isn’t that far so I’m sure there will be visits every now and then! And I’m positive you’ll meet new mom’s with little kiddos John can play with and you’ll be immersed in your new lifestyle in no time! Good luck with the move and I’ll be looking forward to seeing the gorgeous scenery photos you’ll be taking in your new hometown! xx
Thank you so much, Julie! You’re so right about it all, thanks for the encouragement! 🙂
moving is so hard! I’ve done 3 major moves, once as a teen from California to Nevada, as a newly wed from Nevada to Michigan, and last year–pregnant with my first child from Michigan to Oregon. It’s tough, but things do get easier and it is so nice to visit friends and family outside of the day to day grind. It’s like a reunion every time you see them.
So many moves, you’re a veteran! Thank for the kind words, Cindy. 🙂
The photos are stunning! It is really a great decision! The idea of going to live in a place like this is really interesting for me! Good luck! Thanks for sharing your story! Greets, Man With Van Bermondsey Ltd.
Congratulations on the move, Annalise! I’m so excited to follow along on your new life chapter. Being physically distant from the people you love is hard, but just remember that distance doesn’t have to be an issue when you are close to people in your heart and there are many ways to stay connected despite the miles between. I’m excited to keep reading your posts from your new home (I can use some ice cream recipes!). Wishing you, Steve and little John all the best! I hope we can see each other in the very near future! XO
Thank you Flavia for all of your encouraging comments! Your kind words mean a lot. And yes, I hope we find some way to see each other again before too long! xoxo
You can come visit us in beautiful Durango, Colorado! We’re very close 🙂 My husband and I have relocated, and I find it’s a wonderful adventure: exploring a new place, making new discoveries and connections. Moab is a wonderful place to do so. Bloom where you’re planted and all…
Relocating and leaving your friends and things familiar that you love is always hard, but consider it a new adventure. At some point you will settle in , find new friends, enjoy decorating a new home and find it was a good thing.
BTW we left ‘home’ 23 years ago and relocated to the high desert of New Mexico and we love it……..
Annalise,
I currently live 63 miles from where I grew up and it’s the furthest I’ve lived from there. I hope you have the smoothest move possible. If your son was older and in school already, it would be a lot more difficult.
Happy Easter.
Annamaria
Very big step! The place is beautiful! Thumbs up! Greets, London Man and Van Ltd.
Moving is always weird when you stay in the same country. I find it’s easier to move to a new country, because there are no associations and that is the difficult part. I hope everything falls into place quickly!
Greetings, Man With Van Kingston Ltd.
Oh wow, congratulations on the job and move! I’m belated, but I hope your move went well! I’ve lived in Utah for almost 5 years and still have never been to Moab.
This is an amazing adventure in my opinion! I love traveling and I have always thought what would have been if we actually stay in one of these places and settle. I would love to move away from all the craziness of the Western-European city and go to a have an extraordinary life somewhere where is so interesting like in the desert! I really respect your decision to move to the desert! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for the kind comment, May! We’ve been in Moab for 7 months now and I must admit I kind of like it here. The desert is such a fun and unique place!