In February, we received an email from the property management company for our home in Florida. The tenant was planning on moving out. The email stated that they were going to have the house cleaned, make necessary repairs, and prepare to advertise for new renters. My husband and I discussed this and decided we would not proceed with new tenants. We would move into the house and make repairs ourselves. We replied to the email to let the property management company know the plan.

On March 4, we received a status update. The tenant was out and the house would be cleaned for our move-in. This past weekend, we set up utilities, determined a convenient time for us to move, put in a request for the delivery of household goods, and set a travel agenda to include booking of hotels. The plan is to be at the house on March 25th. Now we will work through the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs website to learn what we can about benefits for veterans living in Florida. Nathan also found a nonprofit organization that offers outdoor activities for veterans in the area. He registered to participate in an event to be held at the end of March.

The house is not a home we have lived in. We had stayed at the house for a week here and there when we visited family and we ended up buying it from a family member. This will be a new adventure for us. We renovated the other two homes we own and don’t believe this will be too difficult. We expect to learn something new, but I will let you know if we take on more than we can handle.

With that decision made, my sailor will work on his Project Management Professional certification through SkillBridge. He is working with a couple of mentors who are helping him look for employment in the state of Florida. The goal is to have the house done by June 1, retirement date. During the month of June, we may travel to the northeast to spend time with family. That will depend on whether he finds a job and if that job requires an immediate start.

While working on the house, we will further secure our residency in Florida. Thanks to MSRRA, we have been able to maintain our ties to Florida, voting and owning a home. We lost our driver’s license when the Real ID requirement was imposed. My husband didn’t receive orders to Florida again after the enactment of that law. We plan to obtain new Florida Driver’s Licenses now.

There is a question on my side about finding a new doctor. I may wait until we know what the long-term plan is and work with the current provider I have via telehealth. I was prepared for the potential change from active-duty family health care to veteran family healthcare and currently see a doctor where I have the option to pay for visits out of pocket and submit claims with insurance for reimbursement of bills. I am not due for an eye exam until July/August so that will give us time to settle. I might have to find a dentist. I am due for a cleaning in April and would like to squeeze that in before Nathan retires.

I am grateful that I can take my business with me no matter where we are. Business Operations Consulting and Homefront Hustle mentorship allow this portable career. We have set ourselves up to have portable internet with easy setup. We have Starlink and I have unlimited data on my cell phone plan, so I can use that as a backup if we have trouble. This adaptable entrepreneurship and remote-friendly operations provide sustainable flexibility and work-life integration during transition.

Looking ahead, I feel excited. Strategic relocation, intentional planning, and long-term stability are guiding our choices. Together, we will create a new chapter.

Originally published on LinkedIn on March 9, 2026. [Read it here]