Life after Suitcases: One Year Later in North Carolina
One year ago, we packed two suitcases each, a couple of boxes, and a few pieces of furniture we hadn’t gotten rid of—and moved to North Carolina.
After over 18 months of full-time travel, we were tired in ways we didn’t fully understand until we stopped moving. We weren’t desperate to settle down, but we were ready if the right opportunity came along. When it did, we said yes. I (Kait) took a job in tourism in the Charlotte region, and we stepped into an apartment that was empty except for the echo of “we live here now.”
At first, it felt like a shock to the system. Not going back to a 9-to-5—I was surprisingly ready for that. The hard part was learning how to choose to stay again. To not book a flight every month. To let ourselves invest in comfort instead of experience. Buying a $400 rug instead of weekend getaway flights? That was a learning curve.
We bought cars (again), got regular phone plans (again), and set out to build a routine and community (again). Except this time, it wasn’t a return to normal. Not to sound too cheesy, but it felt like the beginning of a truly new chapter and a new version of us. Full-time travel had changed everything.
18 Months of Full-Time Travel Highs and Lows
We’ve hopped around from stay to stay in 30 countries and slept in everything from dreamy Bangkok condos to 90-degree Airbnbs with non-drinkable water. We’ve dog-sat in seaside retirement towns and beach towns where every sunset and side quest felt cinematic. We’ve dragged our suitcases through train stations and up mountains, across ferry decks, and in and out of taxis in the pouring rain. We’ve held our breath in customs lines (especially in our Shanghai stopover) and stood breathless in front of Christmas markets so bright and beautiful that they nearly made us cry. And we’ve had moments we truly weren’t sure we’d make it out of.
Like that night, literally one day before we left Bali after a two-month stay, when we woke up to a literal raging dumpster fire just feet from our villa. If I hadn’t been up late (too much on the brain for deep sleep), and if I hadn’t been able to wake our Airbnb host, who lived next door, and if Andrew hadn’t jumped into action with him to put it out—we don’t know what would’ve happened. It was close. Too close.
That fire came just days after the moment we both knew it was time to stop. And it was weirdly a “yeah, we’re over this” level confirmation. We were sitting in the back of a Grab ride (like an Uber), tired, sweaty, and on our way “home” to yet another temporary villa. I turned to Andrew and said, “ya know, it’s been a good run, but I think I’m done.” And he agreed. We’d lived the dream. We’ve seen amazing (and now harrowing) things. But the new dream looked like something else. A home base. A strong A/C unit. A closet. A big, cozy couch. A little life we didn’t have to pack up every month or pay 3-6 months in advance for “rent” (aka an airbnb or Booking.com fee.)
From Life on the Road to Rooted
Moving to North Carolina wasn’t just about stopping full-time travel and finding somewhere to live—it was about starting over. For the first time, we wanted to actively choose to make home a priority. Not just a place to drop our bags, but a space we could shape. We’ve spent hours thrifting and sifting through Facebook Marketplace for art, plants, and furniture. Heck, we even bought one of our cars from Facebook Marketplace! In NC, we’ve found our favorite local coffee shops, sourdough maker, and French patisserie. We made friends, met up with family, and focused on starting to rebuild a life.
And yes, we still travel. We’ve had a few out-of-state work trips and even one business trip to Canada. In only a year, we’ve taken multiple road trips to see family in the Deep South and the Midwest, putting many miles on these new-to-us cars that we’re grateful for.
We discovered that Disney World and much of the East Coast are all too easy to drive to, so we’ve traveled well and still have big plans for the years ahead. We’re headed to Italy in November for our annual Christmas market tradition! But now we come home to the same soft, cozy bed, the same floral ceramic coffee mugs gifted to us by Kait’s grandmother, and the same neighborhood that’s starting to feel homey, finally.
The “weirdest” part?
We love it. Because North Carolina (Nearly) Has it All
People ask if we miss full-time travel, and the honest answer is: sometimes yes, but mostly no. We miss parts of it. But North Carolina has been the perfect balance. We live in Central NC, right where the Piedmont meets the foothills of the Appalachians. Crowders Mountain is so close by that we could hike it on a weekday evening if we wanted to. To make the most of autumn, we can drive two hours west for waterfalls and orchards just south of Asheville. In the winter, we can be on the ski slopes of Beech and Sugar Mountain in about an hour and a half. In the spring and fall, we take full advantage of the U-Pick opportunities for fresh fruits and veggies right here in the rural parts of the Piedmont. In the summer, we can head east for a beach day in Wilmington. Here in the Charlotte region, we’ve got concerts, sports, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and four seasons without many extremes. It’s been a dream, minus one thing.
Let’s say it: the food scene here has not wowed us. And listen, I (Kait) am from Louisiana. We know what good food tastes like. From there, we moved to Dallas, which frankly has some of the most diverse and top-tier food in Texas, let alone the country. Then, we spent nearly two years eating across the globe. So maybe we’re spoiled. But Charlotte area, we’re begging you—bring the flavor. We’re on a mission to find more standout spots, and we’re open to recommendations!
What’s Next in NC
This year has been a reset. A recalibration. A re-learning of what life looks like when you let yourself create a landing place. We’ve found joy in little things—game nights, new plants, and the way each season shows up in all its glory in the North Carolina.
One thing we’re most excited about is…we're finally launching our Christmas market merch line! This is something we’ve talked about for years, but couldn’t pull off while moving every month. Having a permanent address (and a business P.O. box) has changed everything. And while we’re not becoming full lifestyle bloggers, we might share some local and seasonal stuff now and then. Especially this fall, because we are fully leaning into apples, cardigans, and all the autumn vibes the Carolinas can offer. After fall, we’re heading back to Italy on an amazing Christmas markets trip with some of our family!
We’re still Andrew & Kait, still obsessed with travel, still helping people plan their dream adventures. But for now, we're also loving this slower chapter, making home on purpose and loving what that means for us.
Here’s to one year in North Carolina. We’re just getting started.