Life Lately: Our Big Move to Raleigh

Hi friends, it’s been a while (over a year, in fact!), so I figured it was time to share a little life update. A lot has happened recently, including a major move that brought us to our new home in Raleigh, North Carolina earlier this year.

It all began with my mom. She was missing California more than expected, and never quite settled into life in Texas. So in April 2023, we helped her move back to Orange County to be near her longtime friends and community. It was absolutely the right decision for her and for us.

At the same time, Carly had been subtly planting the Raleigh seed for a while. After a visit to the city for my birthday in January, Severin and I were completely sold. By March, we had made an offer on a charming downtown bungalow, packed up our home in Texas, rented it out, and made the 24-hour drive to Raleigh with three bulldogs in tow. By early May, we were officially settled in.

Then came another twist: by July, we closed on a second home here. Raleigh’s real estate market is fast-moving and full of opportunity, and we decided to take the leap. We’ll be moving into our larger home in Five Points by the end of September and plan to turn the downtown bungalow into a rental property.

Between our two studios in Tulum (and a villa in the works), our Texas property, and now two homes in Raleigh, I’m finally starting to feel confident in how our passive income portfolio is evolving. It’s been a real estate journey filled with learning curves, strategy, and a whole lot of spreadsheets, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Beyond the housing updates, I’ve been leaning into some fun personal interests here. I joined a local car club, started training at a nearby gym, and even signed up for weekly golf lessons (fore!). And yes, helicopter lessons are on my radar, no pun intended. Stay tuned.

We often get asked why we chose Raleigh over moving back to Los Angeles. And truthfully, we do miss LA, the weather, our friends, and family, our church community, incredible Asian food, and, of course, no mosquitoes. Living in Beverly Hills was a dream, but with current housing prices, it just didn’t make sense for us right now. So, we’re embracing this new chapter in Raleigh while continuing to grow in Tulum.

I’ve already redesigned and remodeled the downtown bungalow for rental, and now I’m diving into plans for our Five Points ranch-style home. I can’t wait to share before-and-after photos soon, stay tuned.

Thanks so much for following along. I’ve missed connecting and sharing these life updates, and I’m genuinely excited to post more regularly again.

Until next time.