November 6, 2012

Pondering A Move



We recently trekked to Indianapolis, the city my youngest sister and parents reside in, to see if a move there would be something to consider more seriously.

A new adventure has been tugging at us ever since Leo was born and we have been tossing around ideas over late night drinks ever since. There was the six month camper van trip through Canada, from West to East, which we shelved rather quickly on account of the newborn which would have accompanied us. There was the temporary move overseas, probably to somewhere like Central America, where we could live on next to nothing, volunteer somewhere and give the kids a taste of another culture. There was Portland, which is always just sitting there being perfect little Portland, the utopia for free spirited, liberal, composting hippies who don't mind the rain. Not to mention some of our closest friends just inhabited the place.

Never would I have guessed we would be traveling to Downtown Indianapolis in the cold of November to scope the place out.
After a week of exploring the city, eating at places like Yats, drinking in bars like Chatterbox, and long walks through Fountain Square, one of Downtown's most promising neighborhoods, we were ready to take the cold dark plunge to the middle of America.
In the end, the difficult decision to leave our home and closest friends was made more bearable by the wonderful reality of being within walking distance of family. And we've always wanted to learn how to fix up houses, which every home in Downtown Indy seems to be in need of, sans the ones that are already boarded up. And of course, the possibility of our mortgage payment being in the same ballpark as Stella's preschool bill in Los Angeles is always a nice bonus. 

We arrived back in LA on Sunday morning, just a few hours before electronically signing an agreement to buy the house above, a beauty of a place built in 1870, with high ceilings and big windows and ornate trim work that made my woodworking heart swell. It is also a glorified 2200 square foot dump, in need of just about everything you can imagine fixing on an old house, which will hopefully suit us just fine.

As long as the underwriter decides we are still loan approved, and the appraiser thinks the house is worth more than the loan we are asking for, and the second inspection doesn't reveal something catastrophic that the first inspection missed, this place will be waiting for us come Christmas.:)

16 comments:

Rachel said...

Welcome to the midwest. What a beautiful house, and no doubt you guys will make it even more beautiful. I hope the transition is smooth, and you enjoy being closer to family. Much love.

Estoked said...

I am so excited for the new adventure the family is taking! Also I hadn't seen the blog outside of my reader lately and it looks amazing. Hugs to all...

Molly said...

How cool! What an adventure! Can't wait to hear/ see more

Hope's Mama said...

So, so, so cool. Very happy for you guys. Being close to family is so important, I think, especially when it comes to bringing up little people. We looked forward to visiting you in LA, but now we have this gorgeous home to visit. One day.
Good luck with it all.
x

Angela said...

How exciting! I love old homes. The one we are currently living in was built in 1939; I would love to live somewhere even older. I hope you post about all of the updates and renovations you do!

Renel said...

Pretty cool man, pretty cool. Buy some mittens. :)

Unknown said...

We recently moved back to the Indy area at the beginning of September for similar reasons. If you want or need help with the house, or just up for some conversation, give us a shout. We'd love to help and we'll buy drinks. : )

Brooke said...

Wow! I hope the midwest continues to be full of pleasant surprises for you. That house is lovely.

surfjams said...

Wow! You guys are adventurous! We need to catch you before you leave, Michael and I have been saying we'd love to have you over for dinner. I'll email Kari :)

Mary Beth said...

That's super great, Josh! Exciting, scary, daring and bold. Good for you guys. The Midwest is cool place--and it'll be even cooler once you guys get there. Awesome!
xo

Tash said...

So happy for you guys. Being within walking distance of family sounds pretty awesome.
And let me know when that trip to Canada is back on one day :)
xx

Groves said...

Renel, you make me laugh. Yes ~ mittens.

And can this be?

I can't imagine you anywhere else but CA. It's like when Brianna was moving; I got all jumbled and confused because I can't imagine her anywhere but CA, either.

But, in spite, life marches on.

And the House!

New stuff. Fun...

xo CiM

loribeth said...

I hope the proximity to family makes up for the change in climate...! ; )

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the move, Indy is great, also don't forget about the dunes and Bloomington, Chi Town is a (relatively) short hop away, welcome to the heartland!

Anonymous said...

And now you must learn to say Ohio and Cincinnati correctly lol

Misti said...

Make sure to check out Bazbeaux Pizza. Delish! Enjoy Indy!

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