We are finally moved across the country from Washington state to Ohio and I absolutely love it here. We had some warm days in the 80's but it is now back to "normal" for here and about 60 with lots of fall colors and leaves. We bought our house without even seeing it in person and it is great and the neighborhood can't really be beat. The neighborhood is actually way better than Google photos showed us. We have walking trails, tree-lined streets, a fishing pond, basketball court, large playing field and playground and then we live across from the lake - all of these amenities are for residents only, so it is very private, serene and quiet. We are in the country but only 5 miles from everything in the next town - shops, restaurants, etc. People are extremely friendly and our neighbors are great and have already offered just about everything in the way of help. Our next-door neighbor is actually the coach of a big homeschool sports program in the area that plays the public/private schools. Homeschool is HUGE here! My head is spinning from how many groups and homeschoolers there are - I've never seen so many in one city.
Our church is small but the people are again, very friendly. We have only been to 2 services so far, but in both, God was very real and the preaching was right on target. We had a wonderful surprise when we pulled in for our first service - they had a welcome to our family on the church sign!
Of course it hasn't all been roses - our transmission died on the interstate and we had to put another one in it to keep our car. However, God had worked ways to get us all our money back that we spent for this move! People kept giving us money and I added it up and it practically paid for the whole move. Then, the car thing happened and we had the cash to pay it. We hope to continue to be debt-free (besides the home) as God allows or really, as we believe in faith He will.
Moving here and everything about it involved FAITH. The pay is drastically lower - $13K lower. The cost of living isn't that much different as far as food goes, and housing is cheaper only if you buy. We had never been here and didn't know anyone, other than meeting our current Pastor one time a year ago. To leave all that we knew and come to a place where the pay is lower and having to start over in many ways (friends to church, etc.) - took FAITH. My husband and I finally came to the place that we knew beyond any doubts this was God's direction. The doors opened like crazy as soon as my husband lifted up his hand to God one night and said, "God, I will do what you want and move! Please provide the way for us!" The next morning, this house was listed for sale in the town we wanted, at the price we needed and exactly what we needed inside and out of it. Then, my husband's company in this new city listed his job - they were hurting for help! They gladly took him. The finances and means of moving poured in like a wave to where we felt drowned in God's provisions! It was a continuous click, click, click of open doors all the way. Whereas all we got in WA was closed door after closed door. I THANK GOD FOR EVERY CLOSED DOOR!! We may not understand it but sometimes God lets us see the "why" later on and I'm so thankful.