Pandemic Temporary Relocation

Our Last Visit to Maui in 2018

As we enter into the Holiday week, so many of us are weighing our options about travel versus staying quarantined. We know several families relocating their household to a more appealing location for a portion of distance learning. Some are heading across the pacific to Hawaii and even over to Japan and South Korea. A few families are heading south of the border to Costa Rica & Mexico or down to the Caribbean Islands. The CDC still has its travel recommendation in place to avoid all international travel.  Many of these friends have some good reasons for a change of scenery, and one can easily see how this is a change of pace for a family in this pandemic can recharge a family. 

Then there are the families who are making these changes permanent. The mass exodus as the media like to put it. We’ve seen a few friends make jump out of California but no families at this current time. Here in the Bay Area and it’s outer communities, the exodus mostly looks to be renter driven. It’s still a sellers market with prices still on a very slight rise. On the flip side, the renters are dwindling all over the state. We’ve heard about how Los Angeles and San Francisco vacancy rates ballooned. Here in the lower bay we are hearing about the bargains some renters are seeing, Several thousand knocked off or first and last month are free.

For those looking to an alternative horizon during the holiday, several people are making a trek for shorter periods. Many families are making the leap across the Pacific to Hawaii. The Hawaiian state has mandated all incoming tourists have to be tested by an approved testing facility. Many friends took the leap, and did the testing before boarding and have already landed. A friend of mine is a frequent visitor and runs a special company that provides special gift kits to bring Hawaii to its customers. Recently on her blog she posted the details on how to get tested before leaving and what to expect. 

So will you make the jump? The bad news on numbers and restrictions just keep Coming. We were planning on doing another Straight Shot to Oregon to spend a few days with Grandma. Rest stops and gas station are all the stops we will make and besides walks around the neighborhood, there was mandate by me of socialization or adventures into the community. I supported this plan but hall was extremely concerned the risk of any of us getting sick on the way there. Finally last Tuesday, we choose to cancel the trip and stay in our bubble here. What ever you choose to do, be safe, be mindful and enjoy the view while it lasts.