The Questions

Why did you want to move? Why would you want to leave your family & friends to move someplace where you know basically no one? This a question I have heard numerous times. Well, here's the answer for you. I simply wanted to. I wanted an adventure. I wasn't happy with the place my life was at back in Kentucky. I didn't enjoy living back home after I had been on my own almost four years. I was a nanny part time & worked part time for my uncle. My girl friends were either in serious relationships or had a career path ahead of them. Some even had both, while I had neither. I was at a totally different place in my life. I didn't want a serious relationship. I didn't want a career. I wanted to take a road trip, learn photography, go sky diving, live close to the ocean, learn to surf, do kickboxing, live in Southern California. This was my chance to explore and actually live my life. I didn't have any responsibilities; nothing tying me down. So with a leap of faith, I went for it. 

When did you decide you wanted to be a live-in nanny? I had tossed around the idea of being a live-in nanny last fall. I knew this would be the only way I could move out, especially out of state. Although I never quite thought it would happen, I went with the idea and joined online nanny agencies. Nannies4Hire being the one that led me to the job I have now. I was browsing the site for different families in Southern California when I came across one that actually seemed like it would be a good fit. I messaged the family that night telling them I was interested in the job. Never actually believing I would get a response. The next morning I had a reply saying they read my profile and wanted to conduct a phone interview with me. That Thursday night I spoke with the family on the phone about the job and my experience with kids. That weekend they called my references. My initial message was sent on November 16th. I was offered the job one week later on November 23rd. Four and a half weeks later, I was on the road headed to California. It all happened so fast.

What is a live-in nanny? It's actually a pretty sweet job. I live with the family for free. I get paid a weekly salary, plus my groceries are paid for. All I have to do is watch their two boys during the day. I literally roll out of bed each morning and start work. I have my own bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of the house; separated from the rest of the house by a sliding door. The family is only on the first floor of the house during dinner. Afterwards, they go upstairs to the family room to hang out and watch TV, leaving me with the peace & quiet. I only work Monday through Friday from 7:30ish until 5 o'clock. The unique thing about this live-in nanny job is that the parents actually wanted me to start the daycare in their house. Why, you may ask? Well, while the parents will pay for all daycare expenses, they will also reduce my weekly pay each time I get a new kid. I will still be making more money though, so it's a win-win for all! Now, if I could only get some more kids in the daycare.

Where did you move to? I had never even heard of Placentia, CA before this job. I didn't even know how to pronounce it. It is not pronounced the same as placenta; although, many of you guys back home tend to say it that way. Placentia is located to the east of Fullerton & northeast of Anaheim. Anaheim is home to the Angels, the Ducks, and Disneyland! I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland, 30-40 minutes from the beach,  roughly an hour from L.A., two hours north of San Diego, and only four hours from Vegas. It's a great location. All the cities in Orange County tend to blend into each other. One minute I'm driving in Placentia, the next I am in Fullerton or Brea. 

What did your parents think of the move? At first, my parents were very hesitant to the idea of me moving across the country to live with a family I didn't know. Obviously they were worried something  could happen. They felt a little more at ease once I had talked to the family a few more times and my references had spoken with them, as well. My parents finally accepted the idea once they realized that I was going whether they liked it or not. Other members of my family were very surprised to hear I was moving to California, but were all very supportive.  They said I was the only one who had the guts to actually do it. Although for some reason, I didn't and still don't see my move as a very big deal. 

Do you like living in California? I absolutely love living out here. It is a bit different than Kentucky, but not necessarily in a bad way. I would say I'm doing pretty good for myself. I made three friends in three months (believe me, that's good for California...making girl friends out here is much harder than one would think). I don't just sit around the house. I am active. I do way more out here than I ever did back in Kentucky. The weather is great. The beach is nearby. There are plenty of opportunities here. I am very happy with my life. Although I do miss my friends and family back home, I have never regretted my decision to move...not once.