Big change for our family

[gtrist4life]

Well fellow DVC’ers big changes are in store for our family.

In March I found out they were closing our offices and one way or another I would be changing jobs. After much deliberation, I’ve signed an offer and our family will be relocating from the Dayton, OH area to Columbia, MO. This is the first relocation for our family and it was a tough decision. But the town looks to be a great place to live and raise kids. Plus we will be about 150 miles closer to my late sister-in-law’s family. Brother in law is very happy with the news of us being closer and we’re only a day’s drive from family in OH and my brother who’s north of Dallas

Question for those with experience.
We’re currently targeting to be there towards the first of August. With that in mind, would you still take a DVC trip to HHI in June? (We have our first official DVC trip in less than 8 weeks!) I’m thinking with the changes coming our way, we should take this time out to relax before the move.

Also, I've found a good relo checklist, but any other relocating tips and suggestions on Columbia would be welcome.

Thanks.

Peace,
G4L

 

[DrTomorrow]

G4L - Congrats and good luck on the big move. We're in a similar situation, but we brought this on ourselves. We'd made plans for our first trip "home" in December, when SSR ressies opened - we're going in May, for MH.

However, this March ( yes, just 5 weeks ago! ) DW and I decided to move from Detroit, MI to Phoenix AZ at the end of April ( in 9 days !! ) Yes, we know we're insane - from zero to Arizona in 6 weeks!

Anyway, the movers come 4/30 and we'll drive down. The movers should be at our new place sometime the first week of May - then two weeks later, we're heading to WDW!

Moving is stressful - my DW keeps saying that we'll need a vacation - so I'd take the trip anyway. It'll be a great mental health break.

 

[btrim]

We have friends that raised their children in Columbia, MO and they loved it there. One of their sons still lives and works there. We have visited there several times, and it seems to be a very nice town. Not a bad location. Few hours from St. Louis and there are plenty of things to do. I would definitely go for the vacation. My mother-in-law just passed away and when things like that happen you stop and realize that you don't ever know what tomorrow will bring, so enjoy your plans that you have made and everything will work out with the move.
Have a great time at HHI. We love it there. Not stayed at Disney there, but have been twice and we love the atmosphere there. Very relaxing and the ocean is wonderful.

 

[Lora]

We had our 2nd DVC trip planned for May 2001. We booked 11 mos. in advance not having any clue that my dh would be starting a new job in May. We planned the vacation and the move simultaneously and ended up putting our house on the market the day we left for WDW. We were gone for two weeks while the house was being shown by our realtor and we accepted an offer by the time our vacation was over. Just over a month later, we were several states away! (NY to TX)

The vacation was a great get-away during all of the planning and real estate transactions. I'm glad we didn't skip the trip.

 

[lovespugs]

I grew up about 20 minutes from Columbia, and my mom currently lives in Columbia and she loves it! It's a very nice town if you like towns that size (too small for me). It is very centrally located - close to both St. Louis and Kansas City. You get your pick of sports teams - Chiefs and Royals or Rams and Cardinals (my brother went to school at MU and commented that most Columbians tend to be Rams/Cardinals fans). Also a very short drive to the Lake of the Ozarks - definitely head down there sometime during the summer!

 

[leanne2255]

Welcome to MO. I live in St. Peters, which is about 95 miles E of Columbia. Great college town. Columbia is about the 1/2 way point between here and Kansas City. The great thing about Missouri is the cost of living. Everything is cheaper than most of the Midwest. Great housing prices, as well as food and gasoline. Originally coming from Chicago, the only bad thing I can say about Missouri, is that the food is not nearly as good as Chicago's. No hot dogs or beef sandwiches, and the pizza is not that great either. Othan than that, Missouri is a great place to raise a family.

 

[happyrebster]

Absolutely take the time away! You need and deserve it!

Good luck with the move!

 

[donmil723]

I also wanted to say "Welcome to Missouri!". I live about 45 minutes from Columbia and go there often to shop or eat. They have a great shopping mall, a new Famous Barr store, and a very nice downtown area with good restaurants and a wide variety of shops. They just built a new recreation center and the library is just a few years old. Its a very progressive town.

As someone else mentioned, the location is excellent. Its about half way between Kansas City, St. Louis and the Lake of the Ozarks. The Katy Trail State Park runs through Columbia which is great for walking, jogging or biking. There are several other state parks nearby too! If you have any questions about the Columbia, MO area feel free to email me or PM me.

About your vacations, GO! You only live once. Might as well enjoy it as much as possible

Donna

 

[JudithM]

Several years ago we had planned to meet some friends at WDW & were planning to stay at BWV. Then we put our house on the market & it sold to the first looker. I was in panic mode, but we went on that trip. We needed the trip very much. I would go, relax, enjoy!!

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks for the replies. My wife and I were only in Columbia for a couple of days during the recruiting, but the town and people made a strong and warm impression. The move will be an adventure and we're looking forward to the new start.

I'm also sure we'll welcome the relaxation at HHI. It's been awhile since our family has been to the beach and we can't wait to hear and see the ocean.


Peace,
G4L

 

[dianeschlicht]

You will like Columbia. It is a great college town. We have been there numerous times for dog shows. I like the fact that it's weather is much more moderate than here!

Take the vacation. You'll need it!

 

[Princess Tink]

I just wanted to welcome you to our state as well. We live 45 minutes north of KC.

Just a bit of advise, our weather can change often. But all in all it's not too bad, not as cold as our neighbors to the north, or as hot as our neighbors to our west. You really get the sense of the seasons, so to speak. They say if you don't like to weather wait a while.....litterally, it will change! I hope you have a smooth transition, and everything goes well.

 

[Boo]

G4L,
I graduated from Mizzou and I really enjoyed the town. It has a lot to offer culturally for a small town and there really is a warmth in the people there. There's a beautiful winery that overlooks the river where we used to go for "study" breaks. And if it's still there with the same management- Strada Nove on Ninth Street is a great Italian restaurant. I grew up in St. Louis too, and it's a nice place to take your family for day trips. The FREE Zoo can't be beat!

Leanne2225- I agree with you, Chicago has such great restaurants but I miss being able to order TOASTED RAVIOLI!!!!!!

G4L,
Go on your vacation as a way to refresh and prepare yourself for the new direction your life is taking you. God bless you in you time of transition and exciting new opportunities!!!