Lots to think about

It's so funny when we decided we'd move I thought about all the fun it would be. When we were still talking NYC I was thinking how great it would be to finally live in Manhattan. How great the shopping would be, I'd reallllly get my chance to channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw. Live in a cozy little apartment on the Upper Eastside, feel alive with the hustle and bustle of the city. And how everyone would want to visit me because who doesn't love New York City!?

Once we came to the decision that we'd be moving from TO to TX and not NYC it suddenly became so real, and the planning started. What I had never considered in my fantasy of moving to Manhattan was just how much preparation goes in to a cross border move. Just a few but very important things to think about

1. How the heck do you get all your belongings from over 2500km?
2. What kind of paper work and documents do you need for pet immigration?
3. How what kinds of items are restricted, if any?

Where the heck do you even start when thinking about loading up your life in to boxes and then getting them a) across the border b) to one of the most Southern points in the country? Well we decided that air cargo was going to be too expensive, rail would be too indirect, and that left us with the open road.

We originally thought that I might be the one to get behind the wheel of our rented U-haul and we'd make a few days of it. Stop at hotels along the way, see a few cities on the drive down.

But then we remembered about Norman, Todd and Coco...how could we ever put the boys through a multi day road trip?

Next plan, transport companies. We've been dialing around checking out a few things like quotes and reputation. Looks like we've narrowed it down to two companies.

Crazy things we learned is that it's outrageously expensive! But we're biting the bullet, it won't hold us back! We also learned that our things could take anywhere from 5-17 business days to be delivered, so we'll have to empty our apartment at the end of January to guarantee our things will be there for March 1 and we've decided to live in Niagara and commute for the month of February while our belongings are in transit. There is insurance on our stuff, the fees include movers in Toronto to load up, and movers in Texas to unload in to our new places. They also include in the fee all cross border costs.

Times a tickin' and there is still so much to do!



Side note: I read somewhere that you can only bring 3 bottles of alcohol along...that will never do, have you seen my liquor cabinet!?


More to come. XO

L.

Toronto to Texas

For those of you who don't already know this little Canadian girl is moving far down south to Austin Texas in March 2014. The change is bittersweet, but mostly sweet.

I'll be sad to leave all of my friends and family here in Ontario, but the great things that await me are more than enough to make up for it. Mostly because I know that the ones who count will make time to visit me in my new hot spot!

You might be asking why Texas, or why Austin...or both! Well I'll tell you a couple of reasons why:

#1. I'm a Canadian born American citizen. What I mean by this is, I was born in Canada to my Mother (Canadian) and Father (American) and have dual citizenship. I have always been more patriotic and proud of my American roots. Not that I can say a single bad thing about Canada, I really can't. Canada is goooood. But deep in my core my connection is to the USA. What state is more "All American" than Texas????

#2. I've been dreaming of Cowboys for years. And they've got an abundance of them!!

#3. Winter in Texas does not mean the same thing as it does in Ontario. They don't bundle in Parkas where I'm going, they have no need for woolly socks, snow shoes, or or winter boots. And that makes me happier than you can imagine. I'm not cut out for the cold. Their January is our October and their October is our August. However....their August is like something we've never experienced. It gets hotter than hell and I maaayyy sweat to death. But that's something I'm willing to risk.

#4. On a more serious note, the more I read about Austin Texas the more I feel it's suited just perfectly for me. A big city of only 1 million people. Which is small in comparison to Toronto, and Houston (which was our other option for a Texas city). The city of Austin is so alive, with the drive and energy from the University. Friday night lights is a true religion here and people come by the bus loads to see the Longhorns play.

The people of Austin are sweet and live freely. They are upbeat, happy and of a free spirited mindset. Austin has a slogan that goes like "Keep Austin Weird". They value the little things, boutique shops, one of a kind things and dancing in the street. True liberals! It's one of the few cities in the Republican state that has a liberal point of view.

It's surrounded by water. Something I've become accustom to living in the Golden Horseshoe my entire life. I grew up on the lake, a big one mind you. But still seeing water is a luxury that not all people have. Situated right on the Colorado River the city is beautiful and picturesque.

From an economical standpoint Austin has promise. Since 2000 the city has been growing. With corporate moguls like Dell, HP, Facebook, 3M and Apple being just a few of the companies with presence in Austin, it's a great place for young professionals.

I'm excited to soon be able to call this place my home. My intuition is telling me that it will be a good move, with lots of opportunities and a great change.

So there you have it March 1, 2014 I become an Austinite.