Welcome, future Ocean Hills Country Club neighbors! We recently traded our luxury high-rise lifestyle in La Jolla for the spacious, sunny greens of Ocean Hills Country Club (OHCC). And boy, do we have some tips for you! Whether you’re downsizing, upsizing, or just side-stepping, here’s a peek into our chaotic, yet comical, moving adventure.
It’s been five years since our last move. In 2019, we traded our 2,400 SF single-family home for an 800 SF 1-bedroom high-rise apartment. After decades of raising children, we wanted to experience a more urban lifestyle with less ‘stuff’. So, we sold it ALL and made the big move. It was a huge shift for us, but it felt SO GOOD to get rid of all of the unnecessary stuff. We also had a lot more free time with less space to maintain, so we got out there and had some fun exploring parts of San Diego we had never really experienced.
Last year, we started planning our move to Ocean Hills Country Club. Being just a few streets down from Karen’s folks and being part of a community that offers a more ‘retired’ lifestyle – we knew this was the perfect next chapter for us. That said, since we don’t have much stuff anymore, we underestimated the scope of the project. Turns out ‘upsizing’ is as big a project as ‘downsizing’. Who knew?
Our new place in OHCC is a whopping 1,800 SF 2-bedroom, 2-bath home. It feels incredibly spacious after living in less than 800 SF for years. We have been in such a small space for so long – it’s funny to watch us unfold into a larger one. Little things like being able to use the bathroom at the same time and having a ‘coat closet’. It’s a whole new world!
Of course, there’s the bigger stuff, too. The empty spaces. Deciding how to use the extra space. Let’s just say, unpacking and setting up was like solving a Rubik’s Cube in the dark.
Unpacking and Setting Up. Unpacking our new place was more like unboxing a never-ending series of Russian dolls. Unlike our high-rise with its co-working spaces and communal dining and recreation areas, we had to buy a dining table, desks, outdoor furniture, a guest bed, bath mats, etc. After years of not buying ‘stuff’ because we had no room for it, Amazon and Home Depot quickly became our new best friends – delivering packages faster than we could open them. The cardboard mountain in our living room? Epic.
Hey, sometimes you just have to laugh. We thought we had everything under control.
Another thing we did NOT plan for – Karen woke up on moving day with a head-spinning episode of vertigo. This required not only getting family to step in and help direct the movers with where to place things (they had no idea what went where) – it also meant figuring out where the closest Urgent Care facility and Emergency Room were located.
Nothing like a crash couse in getting to know the neighborhood!
The good news, there are lots of great medical options nearby. And, family came to the rescue. We thought we were moving into Ocean Hills Country Club to be able to help support our folks – hadn’t thought about it the other way around!
Thankfully, it all ended up just fine and we are settling in little by little. Meanwhile, we definitely learned a few things worth sharing.
Here are a few takeaways from our move that might help you out with yours:
Pro Tip #1: Emergency Preparedness. Anything can happen on moving day, so be prepared. Don’t wait until you move in to find your closest medical facilities. Call your insurance provider before your move and gather the addresses and phone numbers you would need in an emergency. Better to be prepared!
Pro Tip #2: The Cardboard Conundrum. Your recycle bins will overflow faster than you can say “moving day.” Luckily, Waste Management lets you bundle cardboard into 2×3 feet packages and place them next to your bin. Better yet, consider renting a small trash bin for the week. You’ll thank us later.
Pro Tip #3: Pace Yourself. We made the rookie mistake of trying to set everything up immediately. We like a good project and we like everything in its place. That combination makes for some serious fatigue – both physical and mental! Take your time and avoid the frenzy. Trust us, those empty spaces can wait. Plus, you’ll save yourself from impulse buys and the inevitable regret.
Pro Tip #4: Utility Setup. Get all of your utilities set up before you move and put them on autopay. The chaos of moving can make it easy to miss a bill. Create a bookmark folder with links to all your bills for easy access. Your future self will appreciate it.
Pro Tip #5: Hire a Great Moving Company. A great moving company makes all the difference. We used Grizzly Moving Co., and they were fantastic. Smooth moves and no broken china – what more could you ask for? (Just kidding, we don’t have any china after our last move.)
Pro Tip #6: Schedule a Massage. Even with professional movers, your body will feel like it has gone through a wringer by the time you get yourself settled in. Pre-schedule a massage to help ease those sore muscles. And, don’t forget to explore the community! Morning and evening walks around the 2-mile loop are perfect for meeting neighbors and discovering your new surroundings.
Pro Tip #7: Hot Tub Time. Make time to visit the hot tub. It’s a great way to relax and meet new friends. Plus, your muscles will thank you.
Pro Tip #8: White Glove Service. When ordering new furniture, opt for the white glove service if you can. They will assemble your furniture and haul away the packaging. In most cases, we didn’t and wish we had. It’s easy to think you can just put things together yourself, but you don’t think about the extra disposal and time. Let’s just say, we are still untangling ourselves from bubble wrap.
Pro Tip #9: Grocery Delivery. Never underestimate the value of delivery services – especially groceries. We were pleasantly surprised to find we could have our regular Whole Foods grocery delivery dropped right at our door in Ocean Hills. One thing to be aware of – Ocean Hills Country Club is the last stop on the route, so groceries will be in transit for about two hours. Make sure to put them away immediately.
Pro Tip #10: Plan Your Meals. We moved from a culinary paradise to a community where restaurants aren’t exactly walkable. With so many activities here inside the gates, you will not want to leave anyway, so you will want to plan your meals. It’s healthier and saves you from the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma. Do this stuff in advance of your move, so you have everything you need at your fingertips. Hunger and fatigue are never a good combination.
Pro Tip #11: Cupboard Liners. Cupboard liners should be done before you start putting things away, otherwise, they’ll never get done. Our house has countless cabinets. It was a big job to line them all. Make sure you buy more than you think you’ll need (you can always return the unused rolls) and get a straight edge and an X-Acto knife. You’ll be glad you did. Better yet, find someone to do this project for you BEFORE moving day!
Pro Tip #12: Be Friendly. Say hi to everyone and wave. The folks here in Ocean Hills are incredibly friendly and eager to meet new neighbors. You will feel at home in no time.
Moving to Ocean Hills Country Club has been an adventure, and we are loving every minute of it. We hope these tips help make your move smoother and a bit more fun.
Remember, it’s not just about settling into a new house; it’s about embracing a new community and lifestyle. So, take your time on the house, but don’t wait to dive into everything OHCC has to offer – the people, the amenities and the activities!
Welcome to the neighborhood! We will see you out there!
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