Thinking about moving to another state, but not sure how to start? Welcome to Crossing the Line, where real people spill about how they searched for properties in another state.

Today, a 56-year-old author reveals how a family tragedy led her to say goodbye to Florida and embrace a life in rural Michigan in a community that she had only visited once before beginning her house hunt there.

The move came about very suddenly, when the homebuyer—who wishes to remain anonymous—learned that she needed to relocate her mother to a care facility. Having received a recommendation for a facility in Traverse City, MI, from a family member, she decided she would leave her home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in order to be closer to her mom.

However, trying to buy a house while living in another state proved challenging. She got under contract twice, seeing one house in person for the first time during the inspection period. The in-person visits revealed a few surprises and shaped her buying process. The third home she placed in escrow ended up being the one.

The move wasn’t planned—but ended up being much needed. The homebuyer didn’t realize how much she had been craving nature and a quieter experience until she settled in Traverse City, in a home surrounded by cherry orchards. 

Who is the mover?

Age: 56

Household setup: Partnered

Occupation: Author

What did she leave? 

Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Property type: Condo

Rooms: Two bedrooms, three bathrooms

Square footage: 1,400 square feet

Cost: $850,000

What did she move to? 

Location: Traverse City, MI

Property type: Single family home

Rooms: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms

Square footage and acreage: 1,825 square feet, 1.3 acres

Cost: $620,000

Inside the moveHow long had you been planning to leave Florida?

It happened very quickly. My mother’s husband died suddenly just after Thanksgiving 2025. We had to relocate her from California to assisted living, but we didn’t know where.

I had family in Traverse City and they recommended a facility up here. We flew out and set my mom up in the new home, and then my partner and I also started looking at real estate in the area.

Before this, had you been planning to stay in South Florida indefinitely?

Sometimes you’re not very comfortable but you don’t know what you want. My grandparents had lived in South Florida back when it was a much calmer place. I was holding onto that picture, but I don’t think that exists in Florida anymore. I realized, too, that I had been craving nature my whole life.

Did you know Traverse City well?

I had only been once before, to visit my cousin five years ago.

What had led you to move to Florida?

During the pandemic, I moved to Florida and that wasn’t planned either. Right when the shutdown started, I was about to close on a condo in Brooklyn’s DUMBO area. Then the shutdown started and I knew I didn’t want to be in New York, so I bought a condo in Fort Lauderdale, sight unseen.

How many homes in Traverse City did you look at?

In person, seven. The market was going so crazy, and homes were selling so quickly that I was making offers from Florida, then seeing them in person once we were in escrow. Twice I did that, and realized I had the wrong house under contract. 

What was it about these homes that led you to realize they weren’t quite right?

I didn’t like the location of one. It was also overpriced, listed for $650,000 and eventually sold for $575,000. The other home was a recent flip, which means you’re paying extra for someone else’s bad taste.

In person, at one of the homes, I saw two aggressive dogs on the other side of a chain fence, and that could have been a disaster for my dog. I could also see children’s outdoor furniture. As a dog mom, I don’t want the noise of young children.

What about this house led you to know it was the one?

This house is on Old Mission Peninsula, which my partner was pushing for. It’s located next to a cherry orchard–my only neighbors are cherry trees. Before this, I had only lived in cities: L.A., New York City and Fort Lauderdale. I don’t want any more neighbors or HOAs. The ruralness of the location appealed to me.

How is life in Traverse City different?

The people here are a lot nicer. They’re very community- and family-oriented. They also use turn signals, which did not happen much in South Florida.

Did you save money by moving to a new state? 

I’m not finding that there’s not much difference.

Is there anything you miss about South Florida?

I’m sure in the winter that I will miss Florida’s weather, but I still have a rental condo there and can visit in the winter if I like. I miss my friends, but I’m making new friends.

How much did the move cost?

We bought the house furnished, and I left a lot of furniture at another rental unit I own in Fort Lauderdale. We hired one guy with a panel truck to bring our things, and that cost about $2,500.

What’s your favorite thing about daily life now?

From our house, I can walk to the beach. I love the nature here. We can hike, paddle board, kayak and go to wineries. It’s so beautiful and it feels like exactly what we’ve been missing all along.