Settling In: Our First Week in Cleveland

We arrived safely on Sunday into a very humid Cleveland. The drive went smoothly, and I’m grateful to the menagerie for being patient while I navigated the trip with the three kids in tow. Andy handled the two furry boys and Lizzie the turtle, which made the logistics much easier. The hour time change and the mountain of boxes still feel overwhelming, but each day brings a little more normalcy as we unpack and adjust.

Our new neighborhood has been an unexpected delight. From the moment we arrived, the friendliness has been constant and genuine. The night we pulled in, a neighbor came over to introduce herself and even gave me her cell number in case we needed anything. When our belongings were delivered on Monday, six different neighbors stopped by to say hello and welcome us. We’ve already received invitations to a block party this weekend and another gathering the following weekend. It’s a wonderful feeling to be embraced so warmly right from the start.

We truly love our new home, but of course a move always brings surprises. On Tuesday we discovered two of our showers weren’t draining properly, which led to an unexpected $800 trip to the plumber. Fortunately the seller is reimbursing us because the issue was caused by debris—pieces of grout, bits of tile, screws, and other materials left in the pipes. It turns out no one had lived in the house for two years, and when it was flipped some of the workmanship wasn’t as careful as we’d hoped. While many improvements were made, certain details require further attention.

The house itself is full of character. Built in 1925, it has the bones and charm of an older home, and I’m already imagining the ways we’ll make it ours. I’m looking forward to staying long enough to add our personal touches and give the place the TLC it deserves. There’s a special satisfaction in restoring and caring for a home with history, even if that process involves a few unexpected repairs along the way.

Today marked a small milestone: the first time I got everyone settled down for a simultaneous nap/rest time. With the kids resting, Andy headed out to tackle some work tasks before he begins training next week. That quiet window gave me a chance to tackle the to-do list—unpacking, scheduling follow-up fixes, and making plans for the coming weeks. Those small pockets of quiet are precious during a move, and I’m learning to use them wisely.

Settling into a new place is always a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. There are late nights organizing boxes and early mornings coordinating routines, but the warmth of our neighbors and the potential we see in this house make it all worthwhile. Each day we unpack something more than a box—we unpack a bit of the life we’ll build here.

We’re taking things one step at a time, celebrating small wins like functioning showers and friendly hellos, and making plans for the projects ahead. With a supportive community and a house that’s waiting for our love, I feel optimistic about the months to come. For now, I’ll enjoy these small moments of calm and keep chipping away at the list—slowly turning this new space into a home.