We're Moving to North Carolina!

I figured I’d announce this here. Not many people read this website, but it feels like the right place to put it: Bri and I are moving to Burlington, North Carolina!

I’ve been planning a move for over a year, and now it’s actually happening. I’m excited, stressed, and already thinking about where every tool is going to go in the garage.

Why Burlington?

The original idea was Tennessee. I loved the lower cost of living and the mountain roads, but the more I looked into it, the less it felt like the right fit. There were plenty of dirt oval tracks, which look like a ton of fun, but they weren’t what I wanted as my regular home track.

Burlington made a lot more sense to me. Virginia International Raceway is about an hour away. Having VIR that close is so freaking cool, especially with everything I want to do with the Miata.

I also spent a week visiting the area. My first impression was… not great. I stayed in a dingy motel outside the part of town where I was looking at apartments, and I was miserable enough that I asked my mom to come meet me down there. She stayed at a nicer hotel closer to town, and seeing the area from there completely changed my impression. I got to spend time in Burlington itself and quickly fell in love with it.

We even found a restaurant called Drake’s, which has already become one of my favorite places to eat.

Finally, a Garage for the Miata

Bri and I found a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath place with a garage for about $1,900 a month. The garage might be the part I’m most excited about.

I’ll finally have one place for the Miata, the parts, and all my tools. No more trying to remember where I left a part or which corner I put a tool in. All my junk gets to live in one location!

I’m leaving my current toolbox behind but bringing the tools. The plan is to finally get the 61-inch Husky workbench/tool chest I’ve wanted. That thing is a tank. I’m also hoping to get a set of QuickJacks so working underneath the car is a little less of a production.

And, because apparently I can’t move into a place without immediately planning the tech setup, I’m already thinking about a security system and a wall-mounted garage monitor for service manuals and car documentation. I picked up a Dell OptiPlex 5090 Micro, installed Linux Mint, and plan to use it as the garage client. Being able to pull up a wiring diagram right next to whichever car I’m working on sounds wonderful.

The Job Part Is Still a Work in Progress

There is one big complication: IBM doesn’t currently have an SSR role available for me in that area. That means I need to find a new job as part of this move.

I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t stressful. At the same time, I feel good about the experience I’ve built and the strength of my résumé. I’m hopeful I can find a solid role down there soon. For now, job hunting is a very real part of the moving plan.

Excited, Even With the Hard Parts

Telling my dad about the move has been disappointing. He and my stepmom, Yvette, have said things that make me feel guilty about leaving. Dad brought up the truck and trailer he bought for our demo derbies and said he might sell them now that I won’t be nearby. I’ve also heard that moving means I don’t care about him. That’s hard to hear, because I do care about him.

I’ve told him he’s welcome to come down, bring the derby cars, and find some races we can do together in North Carolina. Moving farther away doesn’t mean I want to stop doing those things with him.

Still, I need to make this choice for myself and for the life Bri and I are building together. I think Burlington will be a good place for us, and I genuinely believe this move will be good for my mental health.

So yeah. I’m excited, I’m stressed, and I have a lot to figure out before moving day. But a new home with Bri, a garage for the Miata, and VIR nearby? Hell yeah.