Trading Train Noise for Trail Bliss
Trading Train Noise for Trail Bliss
By Kristine TenBrink
Have you ever found yourself staring at your ceiling at 3 AM, not because of existential dread, but because a relentless train horn is blasting through your “peaceful” urban oasis? Or perhaps you've mused about trading bumper-to-bumper Bay Area traffic for, well, anything else? If so, you're not alone. The idea of moving, especially moving out of the beloved (and expensive) San Francisco Bay Area, can spark a whirlwind of excitement, what-ifs, and then, inevitably, the daunting question: "Where do I even start?"
While the initial dream phase of a potential move is pure fun, packed with Pinterest boards, Zillow binges, and relocation blogs, the actual logistics and execution can feel like scaling Everest in flip-flops. But here’s the secret: even in the midst of the chaos, there's hidden fun to be found, and a thrilling adventure waiting on the other side.
My California Story
I landed in San Jose in 2007, a Midwestern transplant in my early 30s, ready for a California adventure. My husband and I quickly fell for the state's charm, especially its wine regions. We explored countless vineyards, sipped our way through Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles and even flirted with the idea of buying our own slice of grape-filled paradise.
Fast forward to 2023. While we cherished our downtown condo and adored our neighbors, the constant hum of urban living, specifically, the never-ending cacophony of train noise, car alarms, garbage trucks, and the airport, began to chip away at our Zen. We'd hit our is-this-really-worth-it-threshold. Our dream started to shift: more living space, a small yard for our dog, a peaceful environment, a lower cost of living, and endless outdoor adventures like hiking and mountain biking. The cherry on top? Leaving California meant we could actually consider early retirement, freeing up more time for those adventures and, crucially, avoiding the Bay Area traffic ballet.
So, Where to Next?
Our quest began! We embarked on what we affectionately called our Goldilocks journey, exploring various regions to find a place that felt just right – not too hot in summer, not too cold in winter, fewer wildfires, better air quality, large enough population that there are interesting things to do but not so many that there are crowds everywhere, and more water (but not too humid). Some might scoff. Why leave California if you want good weather? To which I'd confidently reply with my favorite line from my days working at a winery: The weather in the Bay Area is SO expensive!
Our initial explorations took us to the rugged beauty of Moab and Bend, the unique charm of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, along with the warmth of Tucson, Arizona. While each offered something special, none quite clicked. The puzzle pieces just didn't fit for our long-term vision.
Then came 2024, and our sights turned to Fort Collins, Colorado. We knew a few people there, and the city's reputation preceded it: an hour from Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park, home to CSU, a vibrant arts, music, and craft beer scene, and incredibly bike-friendly. But what truly sealed the deal? It’s teeming with outdoorsy people who look perpetually ready for a spontaneous hike. I finally found my REI people! We'd found our spot. The next step: buy a house in FoCo and sell a condo in SJ. Sounds easy, right? (Spoiler alert: It's not, but it's part of the adventure!)
The Purge & Moving Day
My first piece of advice for anyone eyeing a move in the next year or so: STOP BUYING NEW STUFF. Seriously. The purge becomes your new favorite hobby, and honestly, it’s incredibly cathartic. It’s a relentless cycle of toss, recycle, donate, and trust me, there are laughs to be had. My friend Amber can attest to the flurry of text messages: Do you want this random item before it goes to the great unknown? We shared more than a few giggles over the sheer randomness of forgotten treasures. My car became a shuttle service for the Salvation Army, and we even managed to sell some items we no longer needed online. This whole decluttering process? It’s an unexpected journey of entertainment and rediscovery.
Case in point: we sold our beer fridge, complete with three homebrew tap handles, to two young guys who looked barely old enough to legally drink. And our homebrew stand? It went to new, young brewers with bendier backs than ours. Our leather couch and ottoman went to a young Australian couple across the street; paid for with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc. These little transactions, each with its own quirky story, made the logistics feel a bit less like a chore.
Now, for the actual move: hire professionals to pack your fragile items, or even everything. It's a game-changer and a massive time saver. On moving day, their efficiency is mesmerizing. Just try to stay out of their way. One pro-tip I learned the hard way? Maybe note where they pack your husband's work computer. his was, of course, in the very last box we unpacked – a delightful treasure hunt at 11 PM!
New Adventures & Meeting People
You've arrived! Now what? If you're newly retired or working remotely, meeting new people in a new city can feel like dating in your 40s – daunting but full of potential. My advice? Dive in! Join Newcomers and local Facebook groups. Say yes to random happy hours, meetups, and events. Don't be afraid to invite people over for a classic Midwestern card game like Euchre, or host a casual potluck. Be open to new friendships and trying new things. When I hear people say it's hard to meet people when you get older, I wonder: how open are they truly to new adventures?
In less than six months here, I found incredible hiking and mountain biking friends through groups like the Tuesday Trail Chicks. They even asked me to plan a hike, despite me still learning the area – a challenge I eagerly embraced! The biggest takeaway message from our entire journey is this: If you're dreaming of a move, make the leap. The Bay Area (and its expensive weather) will always be there to visit, but your next great adventure is waiting for you to unpack it.
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For gorgeous photos of Kristine’s Colorado, follow her on Instagram here
*This article was featured in Amber's Update Newsletter October 2025*
By Kristine TenBrink
Have you ever found yourself staring at your ceiling at 3 AM, not because of existential dread, but because a relentless train horn is blasting through your “peaceful” urban oasis? Or perhaps you've mused about trading bumper-to-bumper Bay Area traffic for, well, anything else? If so, you're not alone. The idea of moving, especially moving out of the beloved (and expensive) San Francisco Bay Area, can spark a whirlwind of excitement, what-ifs, and then, inevitably, the daunting question: "Where do I even start?"
While the initial dream phase of a potential move is pure fun, packed with Pinterest boards, Zillow binges, and relocation blogs, the actual logistics and execution can feel like scaling Everest in flip-flops. But here’s the secret: even in the midst of the chaos, there's hidden fun to be found, and a thrilling adventure waiting on the other side.
My California Story
I landed in San Jose in 2007, a Midwestern transplant in my early 30s, ready for a California adventure. My husband and I quickly fell for the state's charm, especially its wine regions. We explored countless vineyards, sipped our way through Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles and even flirted with the idea of buying our own slice of grape-filled paradise.
Fast forward to 2023. While we cherished our downtown condo and adored our neighbors, the constant hum of urban living, specifically, the never-ending cacophony of train noise, car alarms, garbage trucks, and the airport, began to chip away at our Zen. We'd hit our is-this-really-worth-it-threshold. Our dream started to shift: more living space, a small yard for our dog, a peaceful environment, a lower cost of living, and endless outdoor adventures like hiking and mountain biking. The cherry on top? Leaving California meant we could actually consider early retirement, freeing up more time for those adventures and, crucially, avoiding the Bay Area traffic ballet.
So, Where to Next?
Our quest began! We embarked on what we affectionately called our Goldilocks journey, exploring various regions to find a place that felt just right – not too hot in summer, not too cold in winter, fewer wildfires, better air quality, large enough population that there are interesting things to do but not so many that there are crowds everywhere, and more water (but not too humid). Some might scoff. Why leave California if you want good weather? To which I'd confidently reply with my favorite line from my days working at a winery: The weather in the Bay Area is SO expensive!
Our initial explorations took us to the rugged beauty of Moab and Bend, the unique charm of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, along with the warmth of Tucson, Arizona. While each offered something special, none quite clicked. The puzzle pieces just didn't fit for our long-term vision.
Then came 2024, and our sights turned to Fort Collins, Colorado. We knew a few people there, and the city's reputation preceded it: an hour from Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park, home to CSU, a vibrant arts, music, and craft beer scene, and incredibly bike-friendly. But what truly sealed the deal? It’s teeming with outdoorsy people who look perpetually ready for a spontaneous hike. I finally found my REI people! We'd found our spot. The next step: buy a house in FoCo and sell a condo in SJ. Sounds easy, right? (Spoiler alert: It's not, but it's part of the adventure!)
The Purge & Moving Day
My first piece of advice for anyone eyeing a move in the next year or so: STOP BUYING NEW STUFF. Seriously. The purge becomes your new favorite hobby, and honestly, it’s incredibly cathartic. It’s a relentless cycle of toss, recycle, donate, and trust me, there are laughs to be had. My friend Amber can attest to the flurry of text messages: Do you want this random item before it goes to the great unknown? We shared more than a few giggles over the sheer randomness of forgotten treasures. My car became a shuttle service for the Salvation Army, and we even managed to sell some items we no longer needed online. This whole decluttering process? It’s an unexpected journey of entertainment and rediscovery.
Case in point: we sold our beer fridge, complete with three homebrew tap handles, to two young guys who looked barely old enough to legally drink. And our homebrew stand? It went to new, young brewers with bendier backs than ours. Our leather couch and ottoman went to a young Australian couple across the street; paid for with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc. These little transactions, each with its own quirky story, made the logistics feel a bit less like a chore.
Now, for the actual move: hire professionals to pack your fragile items, or even everything. It's a game-changer and a massive time saver. On moving day, their efficiency is mesmerizing. Just try to stay out of their way. One pro-tip I learned the hard way? Maybe note where they pack your husband's work computer. his was, of course, in the very last box we unpacked – a delightful treasure hunt at 11 PM!
New Adventures & Meeting People
You've arrived! Now what? If you're newly retired or working remotely, meeting new people in a new city can feel like dating in your 40s – daunting but full of potential. My advice? Dive in! Join Newcomers and local Facebook groups. Say yes to random happy hours, meetups, and events. Don't be afraid to invite people over for a classic Midwestern card game like Euchre, or host a casual potluck. Be open to new friendships and trying new things. When I hear people say it's hard to meet people when you get older, I wonder: how open are they truly to new adventures?
In less than six months here, I found incredible hiking and mountain biking friends through groups like the Tuesday Trail Chicks. They even asked me to plan a hike, despite me still learning the area – a challenge I eagerly embraced! The biggest takeaway message from our entire journey is this: If you're dreaming of a move, make the leap. The Bay Area (and its expensive weather) will always be there to visit, but your next great adventure is waiting for you to unpack it.
For gorgeous photos of Kristine’s Colorado, follow her on Instagram here
*This article was featured in Amber's Update Newsletter October 2025*