The tour has moved north on a permanent basis, specifically Frankfort. Not retiring yet but the faint light bulb came on for me last fall when we were in our second year of work-from-home Covid time as my 31st year of work came through. I wanted to move to northern Michigan and work from home on a permanent basis. I had proven over those 31 years that my accountability was off the charts and don't mean to be big headed (I am the largemelon after all) but my company needs me right now as the young workers of today seem to jump jobs at the sight of any shiny object; but that is a topic for another day. With that, I put together a proposal to one of our big wigs with the fancy bullet points outlining the reasoning. Once I found a place north, my office time would be over and they were good with it.
Step 1 complete. On to Step 2; finding a home.
I had five areas in mind, in no particular order. Boyne City, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Petoskey and Frankfort. Last November I stayed up around those areas for a few days, got a feel of what I was up against and put my name in with some local realtors. I was warned that properties weren't staying on the market long and to be ready. They were right. Not a time to lollygag as I was doing just that while a few I asked about were long gone by the time I inquired about them. I got in for the bidding on a place in Boyne City that was ideal but my bid was swarmed by five others. This was one day on the market. Yikes.
The Frankfort place had been on the market since November with an excessive price and needed some work. Come January, the price was reduced considerably and I rationalized (love a good rationalization) that I can make the updates as the location was ideal. Sold by an estate, I was able to get it a bit below list price knowing the many updates that would be needed.
Step 2 complete. On to Step 3; selling my home.
Hats off to the many people who have made additions over the years at the place (and to my compulsive cleaning habit) but it sold quite quickly at an ideal price and will be closing up that place next Friday.
I took possession of the Frankfort place on March 14th and as you can see, my furniture is not here yet. Quite a state-of-the-art work space there, eh?
I had new appliances delivered but the delivery people brought the wrong gas oven hoses so the local eateries are getting a lot of my business this past week. It's been kind of a blessing as I have had a chance to taste test and meet my fellow local folk. Some very nice people here. I also learned of locations to hit once the tourist season kicks in this summer to avoid said tourists.
While I work here in the echo chamber, my many, many projects are in process. The previous owner utilized the local post office for their mail so my place had no mailbox/post. My ice auger came in handy for the dig and the local hardware store (kind of like Cunningham Hardware on Happy Days) sold their one mailbox post. Bring on the junk mail!
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| very modern TV stand |
I'll post any updates of the projects and hopefully tell some good stories of the northern Michigan experience (besides shoveling snow).
Trail Head
With new surroundings come new neighbors and so far, so good. 
Today's new home lesson involves the exciting process of trash collection. Monday is trash day in the city so two weeks ago, this large headed one, thinking that trash collection was part of the local taxes, put his trash at the corner. Fast forward to Monday evening and said trash was still there so I pulled it in and waited until the following Monday. 
The tour has moved north on a permanent basis, specifically Frankfort. Not retiring yet but the faint light bulb came on for me last fall when we were in our second year of work-from-home Covid time as my 31st year of work came through. I wanted to move to northern Michigan and work from home on a permanent basis. I had proven over those 31 years that my accountability was off the charts and don't mean to be big headed (I am the largemelon after all) but my company needs me right now as the young workers of today seem to jump jobs at the sight of any shiny object; but that is a topic for another day. With that, I put together a proposal to one of our big wigs with the fancy bullet points outlining the reasoning. Once I found a place north, my office time would be over and they were good with it.
