Goin to Carolina

 In my mind I'm going to Carolina

Can't you see the sunshine

Now can't you feel the moonshine

And ain't it just like a friend of mine

To hit me from behind

Yes, I'm going to Carolina in my mind

    My wife and I had had enough of California. The taxes that combined with Federal taxes took more than 50% of our income. The endless regulations for virtually everything that erased any freedoms we thought we had. The political failure of  allowing the takeover of downtown San Francisco and Oakland by the homeless addicts and mentally ill. We decided that trying to live in California on a fixed income was doomed to failure. 

So, we looked at a number of locales, starting close to California and then elsewhere. We narrowed it down to Colorado Springs, Colorado and Asheville, North Carolina. Neither of which was met with enthusiasm by our family still living in California. We settled on Asheville and after doing hours of research, hopped on a plane to take a look. 

We looked at several dozens of houses and by a small miracle, found the home we now live in. Our agent was referred to us by our California real estate agent. He showed us houses he thought we would like and we rejected them all for various reasons. Finally, offhandedly, he said he had a friend that was building a house that was not yet on the market. We saw, we loved it and we made an offer which the builder accepted. 

Selling the house in California was a tale of frustration and many late nights. After spending Christmas with our family, we got on a plane and few to Asheville. Staying in a hotel for 2 weeks while the house was being finished was not fun, but, it wasn't torture either. Finally we moved in. And as for the Carolina sunshine? Well, take a look at the above clip. Ha ha