Moving is so hard to do

I have so much stuff!!! When did I accumulate so many things? Useless things at that.

I've made up my mind to seriously downsize prior to moving. I want no clutter. I want nothing in my life which takes up space and contributes nothing to the quality of living. So with that, I made up my mind to go through each of my rooms and clean house.

Boy, did I seriously underestimate what this would entail. Trying to get a little out of this downsizing project, versus simply stuffing everything into a Hefty bag and carting it off to Goodwill, I've been attempting to sell a lot of what I'm discarding. I've got over 26 listings on ebay right now (am so dreading packaging all that up for shipping) and will probably be listing several more items before it's all said and done.

Purchasing-wise, I've been rather good. I've limited my spending to a couple of decorative items, a crab pot (coastal living has its perks), and a dresser.


The internet has been an invaluable resource throughout all of this. Not only in finding a place to live (I shudder to think where I could have ended up without access to apartment reviews) but with helpful information with regards to any and everything. For example, I had thought I would have to spend a large chunk of my budget buying a new couch (the back cushions being demolished by the dogs perching there every day for the past 8 years) but found this wonderful posting on how to clean and restore life to worn down couches.

Easy and Inexpensive Saggy Couch Fix

I'm even managing to put my mom's dated green recliner to good use once it's made a bit less unpleasant on the eyes via an espresso slipcover.

Admittedly, I'll have to purchase a few items here and there, but I'm making a conscientious effort to curb the spending and not start out my new journey with new debts.

One of my few decorating splurges.

Any moving tips you'd want to share?

Savannah or Bust!

So it's official. I'm moving to Savannah! 

I've been thinking about relocating for a while now. Don't get me wrong; my hometown is a wonderful place to raise a family, but I don't have one. As such, I was always mentioning to friends that I would like to move to a larger area that had a bit more to offer a singleton than dinner and a movie every weekend. Quite frankly, my waistline can't take another year of cultural stagnation.

I'd narrowed my choices down to three cities: Atlanta, Savannah, and Tallahassee. Job searched ensued and a position was attained in Savannah.

Funny thing is that I've never been. Atlanta, yes. Tallahassee, many times. Savannah, nada. The first three trips to the coast were done with little fanfare and no touristy strolls. It's a three hour commute from where I currently live, and all I was concerned with was making the good time, not getting killed on the highway, and not getting lost on my way to each interview. However, I did indulge in a lunch stop to enjoy some Korean food at a restaurant called Kimchee II.

Dukbokki. Extra Spicy.

After being hired, it was time to look for a place to live. My best friend had lived in Savannah previously (and loved it) and volunteered to act as guide. I ended up submitting an application for an apartment, and we spent the next few hours visiting the Squares, walking along the beach at Tybee Island, and taking in dinner and a show at Mirage, a Moroccan restaurant.

Bellydancer at the Mirage

 Then we finished off with a stroll down River St. A wonderful part of Savannah that reminded me a great deal of New Orleans. Street performers, crab-shaped salt and pepper shakers (along with a gazillion other coastal souvenirs), live bands, eateries, and cobblestone streets. Perhaps it's the Southern mannerisms or maybe it's just that the heat and humidity that induce a sort of languidness, but there's an energy on River Street that I found both exhilarating and relaxing...as contrary as that statement seems.

What exciting parts of Savannah have you discovered?