This was no easy decision. It was overflowing with complexities and angst. Kathleen had lived her entire life in southern California. All of her immediate family is here. And half of mine, the other half in Montana. So the notion of moving to middle Tennessee left a few chords unstruck. I’m not assuming that any of you really care where we hang our hats, but looking back on the process I believe we learned a few extremely valuable lessons. No one is more surprised than we are that we actually did it, that we actually evaluated the situation, made a plan, executed it, and here we are, at least six months later at the other end, a bit stunned that we really got this far. That we actually took charge of our lives before things began to crumble around us. And we are more convinced than ever that our move is the correct thing to do.
We had talked for years about escaping the high costs of California once the twins were out of high school, which is now a little less than two years away. But the last set of tax and utility hikes caused me to begin doodling with some financial projections. Then the bottom dropped out of the stock market and took our retirement fund with it. Suddenly we were facing the fact that we might not make it to the twins’ graduation unless we got busy and found financing for another movie. Gleep! Never been faced with such before. And at that moment, with the economy in the tank, financing another movie was probably not even possible. Never mind that I really wasn’t ready to do another movie yet. A production takes the better part of two years out of your life, most of it 24/7, literally working around the clock. And I mean work. No matter what you’ve heard, most of the movie-making process is not fun. None of it is for me until I can sit in a theater and see you laugh and cry at the result. One needs a truckload of passion to get through the process and at that moment my passion was elsewhere. I was writing the next book (still am). And I wanted desperately to finish it and take another shot at making life better for horses, and people. I loved what I was doing.
So we developed a financial model that would get us to the twins’ graduation and allow me to continue to write. We would search for a new home in the southeastern quadrant of the the country, not because I grew up there, but because most of it is gorgeous, green, temperate, and waaay cheaper than most other parts of the country. We would only consider areas and homes that would: 1) meet our financial model, which in a nutshell was that the mortgage, taxes and utilities could, in a pinch, all be paid by fixed income (see people, there is an advantage to being 70 :) and… 2) the horses could basically eat for free (instead of the extremely expensive California hay that we must buy all year long because there is no grass where we live; nor will there ever be because water and electricity are so expensive)… and preferably 3) the horses could drink for free as well… and that 4) if the economy does not recover and continues downhill we could even grow our own food if we had too …and 5) have enough land that in a pinch other family members could come, build a cabin and make it through any financial crisis by going back to basics.
That was the plan and we vowed not to veer from it. I began on the internet and talked to a lot of friends and college mates, ultimately getting introduced to local realtors in east Texas, east Oklahoma, Arkansas, northern Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Virginia. Slowly we began to weave our way through hundreds of listings to the few that actually seemed to satisfy all of our criteria. Oh, I forgot to mention: the last criterion: access to fresh seafood and Starbucks :). We eliminated properties that even though they fit the model we just didn’t like for one reason or another. Believe it or not, in the end, out of all the houses we looked at only two remained. One in Arkansas and one in middle Tennessee. And the one in Arkansas got knocked out because it sold before we could get over there to see it. It wasn’t that close to a Starbucks anyway. So Kathleen got on a plane and flew to Nashville, met with the realtor and they headed for – are you ready? – Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Population 391. About six miles out of the town center, at the very dead end of a narrow gravel road, this is what she saw:
And this:
31 acres, most of it sloped-to-steep (which our herd is quite used to), a year-round spring that could be feeding an uncompleted pond right next to the pasture fence, and the price, taxes, and utilities fit the financial model perfectly. The house was nice and the barn looked like the model for a postcard. Since we’ll never use it for stalling horses we plan to remove all the stalls, fix it up, let it be a run-in for the horses if they choose to during winter rains, and the rest of the time we’ll use it for barn dances, music camps, and horse seminars (while our herd mingles with attendees). What fun! Won’t happen overnight because there’s a lot of work before any of that’s possible, but it’s something to work on and look forward to. Oh, and we’re less than 40 minutes from Franklin TN where Kathleen found the largest Whole Foods she had ever seen – with fresh seafood – just across town from Starbucks :)
The down side of it all is that Kathleen will rent out here so the twins can finish high school where they started. They’re both honor-role and AP students doing lots of extra curricula activities, the teachers love them, and it would not be the best for their future to make them start over in their junior year. So Kathleen and I will be going back and forth for a year and a half. That will not be fun but we know we’re doing the right thing. For us. For the kids. For the horses.
The horses and I will leave mid-September and move to Bell Buckle. Kathleen and the kids will stay where we are now until the house sells, then into a rental house. Thanksgiving , Christmas, summers and other holidays will be in Tennessee.
For those who do not live in California, here are a few fun facts: Cost of registering our two cars and one pickup truck in CA: $1280 a year. In Tennessee: $108 a year. Property taxes on our California house: $9100 a year. The one in Bell Buckle less than $1000. Our average electric bill in CA: $600/month. In Tennessee less than $100/month. Water cost in Tennessee is 20% of the cost here in CA. Etc., etc.
There you have it. The lessons learned? Don’t wait. A complete and total makeover of your life is scary, but could be just what the doctor ordered. Whether it’s about job, passion, expenses, or whatever. Humans have a tendency to get stuck. I’m here so I must stay here. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’ll take too long or be too hard to figure out. But it all starts by putting one foot in front of the other. Taking that first step. We started by calling one friend, who connected us up with one realtor. We looked at hundreds of houses. Only two fit the model. And one of those was terrific. It worked. Look at those huge looming tasks as a process. Lay the first brick. Shake off the human hunger for instant gratification. Just do it.
Joe
Joe, welcome to our wonderful state of Tennessee. Sorry I’m late getting to this blog – it’s been a crazy year for us, as well. We are in Lenoir City, not too, too far away from you. I trust by now that you and your herd are settling in nicely. Your new home and land look lovely – I am so happy for you. Reading your book changed a lot of things for me, thank you!
Joe: Great decisions for all – family, horses, finances and lifestyle. You found a beautiful place that meets your most important needs. Having attended about 20 schools growing up, I applaud your decision to let the children stay where they are until graduation. Congratulations and best wishes.
Eric Schweitzer
So happy to have been a part of your visit to Hattiesburg, MS. Benji and Shaggy are adorable; and congratulations on your move to Tennessee–know you will love the south. My best to Kathleen—so sorry I could not meet her also.
Dear Joe and Kathleen,
Most people would never have the courage and abilities you both have displayed. The amount of work and cost to accomplish this task would stop most people. You two together are quite a loving team and I know is the driving force used to accomplish this life change. I hope Ann and I will be able to visit your new home soon.
Sincerely,
Dan Wampole
Joe – Yes! Welcome to the South! Your horses will thank you for it too! I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers (horses too):) God bless – Angie
Dear Joe and Kathleen,
Congratulations and Best of Luck to you on you move to Tennessee, what a beautiful place, looks like Heaven to me. I feel so Blessed to have met you two at Pete Rameys last clinic a couple years ago.
I love what you do for dogs and horses, you are an inspiration to millions.
From a fellow dog, horse, and all around animal lover (and barefooter :) )
God Bless you and your family,
Sincerely,
Sheila Morlas
Joe all I can say is welcome to the South. Your place is beautiful.
Joe, The photos are just beautiful. Your horses will be so shocked at the different landscape, right? Enjoy the adventure.
always inspiring and thought provoking to hear news from you.
I moved here from Florida and now have two horses. I’m glad you moved closer and got away from those terrible high prices in California. I haven’t had a horse since I was a teenager in New York State. My husband wanted me to have them back in my life. He was determined to make that happen. We both enjoy Tennessee and our horses so much. Welcome to Tennessee! :)
I loved reading about the process you went through deciding to relocate, and then doing it. It looks like such a terrific place to live and further pursue this phase of your life with horses. I know from repeated experience that there are always tough adjustments in relocating, but, no doubt, there will be many rewards to balance out any hardships you encounter. It seems that the merry-go-round of life sometimes requires a giant leap of faith to reach that brass ring, and I wish you and your family all the best. I have NO doubt the horses will be happy there. Talk about Horse Heaven!
Joe: This story was absolutely inspiring and I’m so excited for you, Kathleen and your entire family on this wonderful new adventure. it is BEAUTIFUL!!! My husband and I will be leaving upstate NY as soon as our youngest graduates too. The taxes where we are seem comparable to what you are paying in California. And we do NOT have the weather. LOL. Winters are hard. Everywhere there are houses for sale and no buyers. People who were very important in Rochester have up and moved. Something has to give or there are going to be a lot of ghost towns. Much happiness to you!
Change is hard, but exciting. I”ve lived in 8 different states, life changes, and career have taken me across the us. When I was young, I just did what I had to do, but as we get older we have alot more to take into consideration. My husband is in the oil and gas industry, so texas is where we’ll be for a while as long as that’s his employement, but i envy you with your choice, as I too have had my eye on TN for a while now, moderate temps, four seasons, looks like a great choice for you to me!
good luck with all the transition, and as my husband says who spent 23yrs in the coast guard, home is wherever you make it!
debb g
Congrates Joe and Family,I lived in Ca I know how expensive it is .So nice to see you have made the choice to get out-only the rich can live there and why would you want to spend the money you have supporting CA instead of your family and horses——-good luck JOE. You are an inspiration. I am the one with the mini’s in NH and I am going to move to the mnts of Pennsylvania in a few yrs myself.
Love&Hugs to you and FAMILY,sure looks like a beautiful place.I know you will amke it a home.
Dyan
I hope to hear a lot more about this move. . . I am more frightened of total “culture shock” in moving to some place that far away from everything I’ve ever known. Although I’m a country girl, it’s strictly East Coast velvet hunt cap country – I’m from Maryland, grew up partially in Florida, and have lived in Manhattan, so I wonder sometimes if I’d be a bit out of place somewhere like the Tennessee mountains. But if there’s a big Whole Foods and a Starbucks in town, maybe it’s not such a stretch! Best of luck – you’re inspiring a lot of people here.
Thanks, Joe! I recently moved from South OC to the Hickory area of NC. Love that it is the country but so close to Charlotte (yes this is Kathleen’s friend, Lisa!). Your blog definately makes me feel more at peace with my recent HUGE move as well. Looking forward to having you in the south!
It sounds so wonderful for all of you. It’s hard to believe places like that still exist. I can’t wait to read about the horses and their transition and reaction to the new place. In my mind I can see them running around the pasture–tails up.
We just got back to Oregon from meeting our new granddaughter and FIRST grandchild =) in Denver–amazing! Along the way driving in northern Nevada and Southern Oregon we saw a few wild horses and some burros. That was so great! We saw many, many places that had horses. Some were fantastic but many were less than desirable—small, cramped spaces and isolated from each other. But we did see a few places that keep their horses as a herd-which was great to see. Ah, but it’s great to get back to my own herd and connect with them again after a week away. They have it pretty good here—it’s not rolling hills but they do have room to stretch out just a little.
Joe, glad you shared the thought processes with the decision! Remember we both had angst about you and family moving? I can just picture Cash and others on the trip…omigod! Thankfully you have instilled in them the trust you have and you will be with them to ease the fear.I am a country-born New Yorker and have seen Virginia so know Tenn. will be good to you. Hey, I might be right behind you…I’m 72!
The walking horse community will welcome you with open arms, I’m sure. There are other breeds in Tenn., it’s just that the walking horses get the most attention. They are wonderful to ride but on the trail rides other breeds are represented also. When are you moving?
Joe, In June I visited my daughter, husband,& kids in Richmond, VA. They live in the southwestern portion on a nice piece of land amist forests, streams,& lakes…it’s wonderful. The kids love it. They lived in San Diego all their lives and moved because of California’s ecomony. Now they are happy and financially in a good place. I’ve been thinking of taking my horse and joining them. He could run and graze and be a true horse! You’ve made a tough decision, but I know you and your four legged friends will be very happy. Congratulations !!!
Joe, I just finished with this piece (forwarded to me by Butch Tomlinson – by way of Ham Moore). My wife and I left Pascagoula in 1999. It was my home for 56 years, off and on.
Friends thought we had lost our minds to move to Georgia. After ten years here in Cumming, GA, we are still convinced it was the right thing to do.
May God Bless your move and the rest of your lives with your horses!
Charles Pitcher
Dear Joe and Kathleen,
You will love Tennessee. We wish you all the best in your move. Come see us in North Alabama sometime.
Congratulations on your move. Three years ago, my husband & I (now empty nesters) moved to rural Virginia and have 3 1/2 acres of similar green pasture to your Tennessee farm. After some internet research we bought 2 quarter horse colts. Actually one’s a paint because of her coloring. We loved your book, and it helped us make some necessary changes for the well being of horse and human. The equine girls are now 3 years old and we can ride one, but the paint is high strung and our bones more fragile at 60, so, we only saddle her at this point. The round pen has been a wonderful tool for working with these young horses. I have a selfish reason for being glad you and Kathleeen, along with your horses, have moved to the east. Before long, you may find you need to research the common problem we have with horses here, namely, foundering, or so far, with us, the fear of them foundering. The grass is too rich, and the sugars too high, and the horses too fat. We have scratched our heads many times trying to balance the horse’s natural need for free range to not risking their health by overeating. You may have good resources from your previous writing to give advise on this subject. We’ve developed some of our own ideas that don’t necessarily agree with the professionals -vets and farriers. After you’ve had some experience with green pastures, I’d like to know what you think.
All the best,
Joan Hooley
What an inspiration you and Kathleen have been (and continue to be) to so many people. I have entered into this crazy and beautiful equine world at the age of 50 (Louie the ‘Arab’ was a birthday gift from my husband and we now have ‘Missy’the beautiful Palomino). Joe, your book has been invaluable…..I have bought many and just keep giving them away to horsey folk up here in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
We are all so grateful for your direction to all things natural for our horses.
Keep on keepin’on!
That place looks awesome. I’ve been looking to move myself but have been coming up with rasons not to but you now give me the want to again. Good luck with the move and have fun douing it. Thank you, Louanne
Joe & Kathleen,
Congratulations on your move. Have heard Tennessee is really
beautiful country – lots of horses.
One thing—which I’m sure you are aware of – your horses will
be coming on to green, lush pasture from no grass to speak of.
Be really cautious in turning out – I know of several horses
who have colicked or foundered from too much rich pasture.
But, other than that the place looks just fantastic.
Good luck
Maggie
It is stunning looking and so green. It tugs at me a little as I am trying to deal with the South Texas drought this summer. Over 50 days of over 100 and no rain. I’m with ya brother. But I think I’ll wait it out here.
I admire your decision to uproot and leave a safe haven of familiarity and comfort. But it sounds like you are doing it for all the right reasons. And to find a place so perfect, it must me meant to be.
Congratulations and blessings,
Marilyn
You are an inspiration on so many levels. Thank you Joe, the home is gorgeous. I envy your courage and willingness to make it work for everyone involved.
For just a moment, I nearly got on the internet started looking for homes in Tennessee! LOL! Not sure I still won’t.
We just got our official 501c3 classification of the Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center so lots going on here right now.
Thank you for continueing to promote the healthy barefoot horse! Love your videos! Mouse looks awesome!
Pat
Interesting I’ve narrowed my own search to Montana, Oregon and Washington. Thanks for sharing it has made me realize you have begin somewhere, I will continue looking for the right place.
Thanks for sharing, Wind to Your Wings.
Joe, you and Kathleen are so blessed and I envy you both for your move to Tennessee. I am also looking for a change and now you have given me the courage to look and to make a move. I’m looking forward to getting updates on the blog. So happy trails and keep us posted.
I admire your decision and courage. Blessings to your entire family!
We live about 45 minutes from Bell Buckle and go to the Bell Buckle Cafe about every two weeks to eat. You will be right in the middle of Walking Horse Country……beautiful scenery and friendly people. Congratulations on your choice, your property is beautiful.
It looks like a gorgeous, peaceful place Joe! Good for you both – embracing change. Wishing you an easy and fulfilling transition to your next step.