How MakeMyMove Helped Karla Start Her Next Chapter in Plainfield, Indiana

After more than a decade in California, Karla Garibay found herself at a crossroads. Originally from the Indianapolis area, Karla had built a full life on the West Coast. But when the timing finally felt right to return closer to family, an unexpected discovery helped turn a long-considered idea into a reality.

“I kind of stumbled across MakeMyMove and took it as a sign from the universe,” she said.

Through MakeMyMove’s relocation incentive program, Karla made the move from Northern California to Plainfield, Indiana, choosing a community that placed her near family and offered support during a major life transition.

Reconnecting With What Matters Most

Karla’s connection to Indiana never disappeared. Her two older brothers still live in the greater Indianapolis area and as life evolved, the pull to be closer to them grew stronger.

“California was great,” she said. “But my family is here.”

After 10 years away, Karla decided it was time to return home and the community of Plainfield quickly stood out. Located near her brothers’ homes, it offered convenience, familiarity and a sense of balance that felt right for this stage of her life.

“It just made sense for me,” she said.

Discovering MakeMyMove and a Surprisingly Fast Process

While she was researching apartments online, Karla came across an ad for MakeMyMove on Instagram. With no expectations, she applied to Plainfield’s relocation program and was surprised by how quickly everything moved forward.

“I think it was maybe two days before I was accepted,” she said. “I expected at least a week, if anything.”

From there, the screening and verification processes proceeded smoothly, which helped alleviate any uncertainty Karla was experiencing about her upcoming move as she juggled packing and the logistics of her move.

Finding the Right Home with Two Dogs in Tow

Relocating with pets added another layer of complexity. Karla has two dogs, one weighing about 70 pounds and a Jack Russell Terrier, which immediately narrowed her housing options.

MakeMyMove’s housing guide helped streamline the process by showing her available options in Plainfield that met her needs.

“In addition to finding a place that was dog-friendly, as a remote worker, I wanted to be able to separate my work from my home life,” she explained.

“Some of the apartments I looked at didn’t have the layout I wanted.”

She ultimately chose an apartment that provided her with pet-friendly policies and the space she needed to create a dedicated work area while still feeling at home. Its affordability, including a low deposit and reasonable pet fees, helped make her relocation incentive dollars go further during the transition.

A New Rhythm

Professionally, Karla continues working remotely in the construction industry but her schedule has to accommodate working in a different time-zone.

“I work 11 to 8 instead of a normal shift,” she said. “It’s actually kind of nice.”

Because her move coincided with a slower season at work and the holidays, Karla has had the flexibility to ease into her new routine. She expects things to normalize after the new year, but for now, the slower pace has allowed her to settle in gradually.

Her days have been filled with simple errands, trips to the store, along with family time, including using the gift card to the Prewitt Restaurant and Lounge that came with her incentive package for a meal with her brother. While she’s still getting her bearings, she’s eager to explore more once she feels fully settled.

“I’ve been told downtown Plainfield is really cute,” she said. “I’m hoping to check it out soon.”

Incentives That Create Connection

Karla says she’s looking forward to using the rest of the incentives she received in Plainfield’s relocation package, including the tickets to Hendricks Live, a fitting perk for a family that loves music. She’s also excited to have access to Level Two Coworking Studio in case she wants to get out of her apartment to work from time to time.

“I feel like I’ll eventually use all of the incentives,” she said.

Rediscovering Seasons and a Sense of Belonging

After years in Northern California’s mild climate, returning to Indiana brought something Karla didn’t realize how much she missed - seasons. Scarves, boots, snow and even cold temperatures felt like a return to something familiar.

“After moving and experiencing snow again, it actually feels like Christmas here.”

Beyond the weather, the move also restored something even more meaningful - proximity to family. A visit to the Carmel Christkindlmarket, spent surrounded by relatives, underscored just how much that closeness had been missing.

“I went to the Carmel Christkindlmarket and spent time together with some of my family members,” she said. “I haven’t experienced that in a really long time.”

Looking Ahead One Step at a Time

In the coming years, Karla’s considering furthering her education, possibly a certificate program through Purdue Global, while continuing to grow professionally.

Longer term, homeownership is on the horizon, something that felt far less attainable in California.

“That’s an eventual goal,” she said. “There’s no timeline but at least it feels possible.”

For now, Karla is focused on settling in, exploring Indiana at her own pace, and building a life that blends where she came from with where she’s going and she says that MakeMyMove helped bridge that transition.

“It helped me get home,” she said.