FI and I have been planning to move for the past several months. We've talked since we met about moving to eastern TN and finally decided a few months ago that the time to go was now, while we have no committments holding us back. Up until recently, his employment has been really unsteady (adjunt professor at a community college) and with enrollment down, the number of classes available to teach got smaller and smaller. In January he was offered a full-time position at a high school, which he accepted, but that's really not what he wants to be in and he really can't stand the district he works for. The assignment was also only for one semester with no guarantee of a future contract renewal because he's not fully certified to teach the courses he teaches.
While there's nothing holding us back, we decided that this summer we're up and moving to Sevier County - home to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountains and thousands of tourism-industry jobs. FI decided to step out on a limb and apply at Dollywood, since he used to work at Kings Island and loved it. Surprise surprise, he got offered the job the same day and started there today, going to full time hours on May 23rd.
This weekend we're in Pigeon Forge, and while he was at training at the park today, I went apartment hunting. Found several possibilities, then took FI to see them and he fell in love with the same one I did. We have an appointment tomorrow at 4 for him to revisit the apartment (he only got to see photos of the inside) and go over paperwork. As long as all goes well, we will have an apartment as of May 22nd in Sevierville!
I'm so incredibly excited. I've wanted to move to this area since 2005 and now it's actually happening. The apartment we're hoping for sits high on a hill on the east side of Sevierville and has a stunning view of the mountains. There are only 17 apartments in the complex so it's fairly secluded and quiet. Behind the complex is a wooded area also owned by the complex with a nice hiking path.
I can't wait - in a few weeks, this might be the view from our master bedroom!
FI LOVES his new job at Dollywood, and is hoping that come fall, he'll find a new teaching position. They're building a new high school not far from the apartment that will be opening for the first time this fall, and there's also a community college that has expressed interest in hiring him. I've already secured a transfer for one of my jobs (from my store in Ohio to one in Sevierville) and hope to also get hired on at Dollywood later this summer. I'm staying at my current job through August 1st because I love it and don't want to leave it during the busiest time (I work at the zoo), but I'm so ready to be down there!
I can't believe things are finally working out and our dream is coming true!