Hi, I’m Hali.
If you’re reading my blog, then you’re probably interested in relocation or moving, which for what it’s worth, are essentially the same thing. Every move is a relocation, even if it’s in your own backyard. Finding a home that’s right for you and your family can be a challenge, but it can also be incredibly uplifting and rewarding. I know because I’ve moved more times than I can count on two hands, and learned that every new home and new location enriched my family’s life in some way including the start of this blog.
Born in Manhattan, I’m a busy mom of two, a wife of 30 years, school volunteer, and most recently, a Realtor®. What made me choose a career in real estate? Interestingly, my career parallels the origin of this blog. After moving more than a dozen times in my life, domestically and abroad, I unwittingly became adept at relocation and house-hunting. My experiences, coupled with the excitement of making new friends in new communities and searching for homes, steered me toward the real estate business in Charlotte, NC, our home for the past 12 years.
As a relocation coach, I focus on helping families make a smooth transition because when it comes to moving and searching for the ideal home, I’ve made very mistake in the book. But I’ve also gained vast knowledge from each move, which has become integral to my approach with clients.
First, let me say I’ve never looked at any of our moves as a hassle. Like life, they have been an adventure. This philosophy has led to my family’s successful moves around the US and overseas. I’m not sure what classifies someone as a relocation aficionado, but moving 12 times surely exceeds the average person. If I count driving a U-Haul across the country to move our daughter, plus moving two kids into college, we can make that 15 moves in three decades with more to come.
The first question people usually ask after I tell them how many times we’ve moved is: “Were you military?” My answer: “No corporate.” My husband and I were lucky as in our early twenties, he was asked to launch the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EUMEA) division of his company based out of the United Kingdom. We lived there just over three years, and the experience was amazing. Being naïve and newbies at relocation, we learned so much from the journey, and I became keenly aware that moving involves more than boxes and logistics. It’s a lesson in patience, organization and a psychological mindset that every move is an opportunity. It’s the realization that home is truly where the heart is. It might sound corny, but I learned that wherever we were, we were “home.” And no matter where you relocate, you’ll be home, too. We’ll work together to help make this happen.
A global relocation resource, Hali Jaffe loves helping people and provides experienced advice to ease the burdens of a personal or corporate move. You can contact her at hali@REALocationwithHali.com.