Home Sweet Southern Home

The week after we got my offer we flew down to Columbia for the FIRST TIME EVER to see the city we will soon call home. Within 48 hours we looked at rental properties, test drove cars and explored the city. 

We celebrated Valentine's Day with a beer in the airport (who needs flowers when you have a move!) and flew in on Thursday into Greenville on Southwest because it was cheaper booking so last minute (and we love Southwest!). We got into Greenville about 10:30 p.m. got a rental car and headed to our hotel for the evening. Friday morning we woke up and drove the 1 1/2 hours to Columbia. 

The anticipation and excitement we were feeling on the drive was indescribable. As we got into town we saw signs for the capital, the historic neighborhood and the campus. We drove around some and then ended up eating lunch at Pauley's Front Porch in the Five Points neighborhood. It was delicious and exactly what we needed. 

After lunch we headed out to the showings we had booked via Craigslist on our own. The first home we saw was an adorable house on Chester Street we had been eyeing since we knew we were officially moving. It was just as perfect as we had hoped! Only problem, three college law students were looking at it the same time as us. Oh, just be glad you were not in the car with me when I saw them pull up. Anyway, we loved the house but now I was soooo nervous we were not going to get it. Brent assured me to keep an open mind as we saw other houses that afternoon. That night we got back to my cousin Scott's house and I just could not stop thinking about the Chester Street house so we went ahead and put an application in. Even though we had some appointments with a realtor the next day I just wanted to make sure we had the option of the Chester Street house....aka the controller/planner side of me came out.

Saturday we went around with a realtor who was just offering us her time as we are just looking at rentals. She was the nicest woman ever! What a warm welcome to the South she gave us and also helped us learn the neighborhoods and get our bearings. We saw some more places but the Chester Street house was still the front runner and we ended up going back to see it Saturday afternoon. 

Many calls and emails later we have the Chester Street house! Gosh does it feel good (and just right!). We are going from our one bedroom condo to a house for the same amount of money...again already love South Carolina. We can't wait to move into our new Southern home and finally be able to start the next chapter of Team Gillig...Southern style! ;)