So, what happens when your master bathroom declares mutiny and sends your life into chaos? You pack up your family, your dogs, and half your wardrobe and embark on a five-stop rental adventure, of course! From hotel elevators to beachfront views, each of our temporary homes came with its own set of quirks, challenges, and unexpected lessons. Here’s what we learned about flexibility, creating a cozy (if temporary) home, and living light—even if we didn’t quite master it.
1. The Residence Inn: Ants, Dogs, and Elevator Small Talk
Our first stop was a Residence Inn, where we split into two hotel rooms with our two large Bernedoodles. Did I mention we were on the third floor? Imagine juggling two anxious dogs and their bathroom breaks while also dodging an ant invasion. It was a lot, but it also taught us to embrace imperfection and laugh at the absurdity of it all. We were happy that we thought ahead in some areas like bringing their travel organizer bag (I bought this when we went to Big Bear for Skott's birthday in 2023) it has all their travel essentials like collapsible dog bowls, travel food containers, and space for their toys and blankets.
What we learned: Gratitude is key. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a roof over our heads and a starting point for this wild journey.
2. Beachside Bliss: The 2.5-Week Dream
Our next stop was a spacious Airbnb right on the beach. The sound of waves at night was magical, and the shared backyard space didn’t bother us since most guests were out exploring. Unfortunately, this rental was only available for 2.5 weeks, which led to some stressful rebooking adventures.
What we learned:Â Beach living is gorgeous but high-maintenance. Salt air wreaks havoc on everything, and short-term rentals can be unpredictable.
3. The Downtown Row House: Cozy Comforts and Leaky Surprises
My favorite rental was a charming row house in downtown Oceanside. It felt like a real home, complete with cozy furniture and a fully stocked kitchen. Its location was ideal for walking everywhere. This is also where we celebrated by 45th (yikes) birthday, Kaitlyn and Skott tried to make it as normal a birthday as possible and did a little bit of decorating and then we walked to dinner and celebrated at Piper. Of course, we couldn’t escape our streak of bad luck—a leak was discovered in the garage on our way to the restaurant by Kaitlyn before she left to meet us, so much of the dinner was spent communicating with the property management company. Regardless, I enjoyed my glass of wine and of course the company.
What we learned:Â The comforts of a home-like rental can make all the difference, especially during longer stays.
4. Back to Beachside: Fridge Drama Edition
After deciding to bypass Airbnb fees, we contacted a property management company directly and returned to our first beach rental. It was lovely—until the fridge broke. Twice. Two replacements later, we finally had cold milk again. Let's be real, it was a beautiful place and the property management company was ON IT but honestly, it felt like we couldn't catch a break - ya know? We celebrated Skott's 46th at the beachside property and did a little decorating for him too.
What we learned:Â Building relationships with property managers can save you stress and money. Also, always have a backup plan for perishables! We were lucky to have had our cooler with us, since we were moving so much we needed to store our cold foods while moving from place to place.
5. The Rooftop Retreat: Thanksgiving by the Ocean
Our final stop was a third-story beachfront rental with stunning rooftop views through Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals, again. I have to tell you, they were so accommodating and helpful during this time it made the last two moves less stressful. It was the perfect setting for Thanksgiving, even if the Wi-Fi decided to quit regularly. Thankfully, it got fixed just before we left.
What we learned:Â Beautiful surroundings can make up for small inconveniences. And hosting a holiday away from home? Totally doable with a little creativity and some disposable serving trays.
Living Light and Finding Comfort
Over time, we learned to pare down and focus on what truly made us feel at home. Here’s what worked:
Unpack fully: Living out of suitcases is overrated. Take the time to settle in, even if it’s temporary.
Personal touches:Â Candles, fresh flowers, or your favorite coffee mug can transform any space.
Pet essentials:Â Familiar toys and beds helped our dogs adapt quickly to new environments.
Comfort food:Â A home-cooked meal can work wonders for morale.
Backup technology:Â When Wi-Fi or cell service fails, having a mobile hotspot or offline entertainment options, like downloaded shows or portable chargers, can be a lifesaver.
The Silver Lining
Sure, there were leaks, ants, and fridge failures, but this journey reminded us that home isn’t about the walls around you—it’s about the people (and pets) you share it with. It also gave us a renewed appreciation for the beauty of Southern California and the simple joys of life, like a good sunset or a cozy movie night.
What About You?
Have you ever navigated temporary living or had to create a home away from home? Share your funniest or most unexpected experiences in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
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