I’ve been working as a full-time IT Analyst. I always considered that I might be able to expand my horizons and work as a consultant moving from implementation to implementation and traveling to various locations in the US.
The market for contracted IT consultants is pretty good with great pay but lousy benefits and wicked travel commitments. However, being somewhat resistant to change, I had only given that idea some minor lip service. I probably could have stayed where I was for the rest of my working life without a nudge.
In December 2016, I got a call from a friend of mine working as a consultant in the midwest. She had recommended me to her contracting company and her client. I said “sure, I’ll interview” thinking that I wouldn’t really get too far. But I managed to impress someone and I was offered the job.
This is the kind of change that can make you physically ill. I had worked for one organization for 16 years and was comfortable. It’s a bit difficult to jump off that cliff into something totally different with no guarantee of continued employment beyond the contract. However, in the long run. I couldn’t pass it up. It remains to be seen if this is something I can do long term. Did I mention lousy benefits and wicked travel commitments?
To make matters more interesting, within just a few days Bridgett was offered a job as a principle broker at a firm in Eugene. It was a fantastic opportunity for her and offset some of the negatives of my new role. These two opportunities seem to fit together quite well together.
We had always talked about moving. We had lived quite some time on the coast and while we love the area there are some things one must consider about coastal living. The top three are as follows:
- There are only two seasons, the rainy season and the windy season. I like not having snow, but would like to be able to sit outside in the summer and not wear a parka – yep it stays between 56 and 60 degree’s year round.
- Nothing to do. Yes, we have stuff we can do, but if you want a little culture you are stuck going inland. Eugene is closest to us at 90 min and Portland is a good 3-hour drive. Plan for a day or two to attend a concert or event.
- Sand. We ride ATVs regularly and love the sand dunes, but it gets everywhere. Forget about growing a garden between the nutrient poor sand, the wind, and cool temperatures you have to drive 90 min to a good farmers market.
As the reality of our new career’s pressed in on us the need to move started to gain more traction. We had little choice to move or go nuts with the commute not to mention the added cost of gas and away time away from home. So the search was on.
We knew what we wanted. Acreage in the countryside not too far outside of Eugene (15-20 min tops) and not on a busy road. Something with usable land that we could do most anything we set our desires on. A property that we could grow old and never get bored with. Bridgett is in real estate and knew the biggest issue was finding something that fit what we were looking for. Inventory has been very scarce and when something like that does come up it goes fast and expensive.
Luck was on our side again however and we managed to find the perfect property. 5.25 of flat usable acreage with a nice (but dated) house and some outbuildings to support our hobbies and toys.
This is where we are at currently. The offer made and after negotiations, accepted. Now comes the inspections, the appraisal, and the financing, and on and on with the paperwork. I have an agent I can trust 100%, after all, I’m married to her. But the nerves are killing me.
Thus comes this journal. I expect the next chapter to be somewhat adventurous for us as we begin the transformation of the property. We don’t want to be farmers by any measure but are interested in becoming a bit more self-reliant and making the most of what we have. Perhaps this isn’t of interest to others, but sharing lessons learned is never a bad thing.