The relocation process is changing as technology makes the world smaller.

2020 has not only changed the relocation market, but it’s shaping the buying and moving process. Bethany, a social worker who now resides in Holly Springs, NC, shared her story with me.

Bethany moved with her family in June from New Hampshire. They had decided to move prior to COVID-19 because of rising property taxes year after year. Bethany had put in her research on her ideal location.

“The cost of a living was the #1 factor as to why we decided to move. We researched various areas around the country, and we wanted a healthy balance of similar job salaries, much lower real estate costs (and property taxes), as well as a great school system for our children,” Bethany said.

Moving in the Midst of a Pandemic

After living his whole life in New York, David Nola (age 59) and his wife Karen (age 58) recently decided enough was enough and purchased a home in St. James Plantation in Southport, NC, in November 2020. At the twilight of his career, and now working from home, he said, “I don’t want to deal with all of the traffic and the people anymore. There are a lot fewer people down here, and you don’t have to wait in long lines to enter stores.”

Two years ago, the Nolas had visited the Wilmington area and fell in love with St. James Plantation, a coastal community located on the Intracoastal Waterway with four golf courses, four clubhouses, a marina, a beach club, 36+ miles of biking/walking trails, tennis and pickelball, and any kind of club you can imagine. The Nolas currently live on Staten Island and plan to live between the two homes until they can make the permanent move to North Carolina.

In pre-COVID-19 times, Karen would commute via express bus or train into Times Square for work, but now she works from home as so many others do. The Nolas are confident that their Staten Island home will sell quickly when they put it on the market.

They purchased a large home on the 17th hole of the Members Club, and David can’t wait to get down and play golf. Karen is eager to learn how to play as well. They also look forward to playing tennis and pickleball. David said, “Everyone is so friendly here. It’s kind of like Mayberry. I’m already on an email chain and have been invited to a socially-distant tailgating party.” The Nolas are sure to make new friends and enjoy their new life at St. James Plantation.

When Bethany and her husband decided to move in June, the process went quickly—they closed on their New Hampshire home in just 28 days. Her process of touring homes was out of the ordinary, highlighting the power of the internet in making the world a smaller place.

To find a home, Bethany first joined a Facebook group called “Relocating to Raleigh” where she posted about moving to the Research Triangle Park area. A realtor in the group, who happened to have many mutual connections to Bethany, reached out and began to search for homes for them. The realtor and Bethany’s old friend, who had relocated to the same area, toured homes in April and May, showing Bethany over FaceTime. They saw four or five homes before putting in an offer and sealing the deal, “sight unseen.”

It wasn’t until two weeks after that Bethany and her husband were able to travel to Holly Springs to check out their new home in person. “COVID-19 did not impact the ability to sell our house just weeks after it hit. We were so grateful to be able to make our journey to North Carolina a reality! It all happened so quickly, but we will be forever grateful to our realtor – now friend – and our good friend we had known for years to help us with the relocation process!”

A Family's Journey from California to Washington

Known as the gateway to The Olympic Peninsula, Port Ludlow, WA, offers every kind of outdoor activity you can think of. From water sports to hiking and snow skiing, this area is perfect for the family or retiree. As Washington has no state income tax, it is especially appealing to those leaving California and other high tax areas.

According to Jerry, who relocated from northern California with his family, “tax planning was an important part of the plan. And even though the pandemic wasn’t the reason for the move, one of the big draws to the area was the local farms and the quality of the organic options available. It is important for our family to know where our food comes from and for our children to know how the animals are raised. We wanted a slower pace of life without crowded, grid-locked streets. This area is great for our children with access to hiking and uncrowded beaches where nature is plentiful.”

Peace and Quiet on the Chesapeake Bay

“There’s a peacefulness with Bay Creek that you do not find in Northern Virginia. The contrast is dramatic. The Falls Church area is so densely populated that it was crowded everywhere you went. It’s so easy to stay socially distant here,” says Debbie Miller.

Debbie and her husband Paul recently relocated to Virginia’s eastern shore. “We had lived within walking distance to the DC Metro for a long time and had always talked about relocating. In July of 2019, we visited Bay Creek in Cape Charles, VA. We visited a small-town parade. It was a hoot! We then decided to rent for a year to see if we liked it. We were here for only five weeks, and we bought our house. We stand in awe of the beauty of Bay Creek and the area,” said Debbie.

“It’s such a friendly place. We can play pickleball or walk or bike. It’s easy to social distance here. We have golf cart gatherings where we meet a lot of people. We’re hopeful that we will be able to have people over for dinner soon,” Debbie added.

The Millers are currently building their house that backs up to a nature preserve with walking trails that run along the water. Bay Creek’s idyllic location is set on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, allowing for a deep water marina. The Millers retired several years ago, but weren’t mentally prepared to make a move at that point. They couldn’t be happier to live at Bay Creek now.