Why One Couple Left Georgia and Found Everything They Needed in Indiana

A Search for Something Different

When Justin and Millie packed up their lives in Georgia, they knew they were ready for a change. The humidity was sweltering and muggy, the insects were overwhelming and the couple longed for a sense of permanence. “We lived there for two years and didn’t really like it,” Justin said. “Millie’s asthma was really bad in the south, and my allergies were out of control.”

So one evening, Justin began searching online for relocation opportunities. That search led him to MakeMyMove, a marketplace for remote workers that offers talent relocation incentives. There, he discovered multiple communities offering relocation packages, including Indianapolis.

It wasn’t just the financial incentive that caught his attention. For Justin, who works in the film industry selling lighting and audio equipment, Indiana was a strategic fit. “Indianapolis is a central location for the company I work for,” he explained. “I can get to Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Columbus, Cincinnati, all within two to four hours. I have way more accounts around here than I did in the south.”

Life on the Move

The couple was no stranger to moving. Both had grown up in Grand Island, Nebraska, before spending nearly a decade in California. From there, they chased the romantic notion of southern living in Georgia, only to find that the reality didn’t match the dream.

“We’ve lived all over,” Millie said. “But here, we finally had the chance to buy a home and put down some roots.”

Rather than diving straight into a rental while they searched for a home to buy, they opted for an airbnb. What began as a short-term solution evolved into a six-month plan, providing them with the flexibility to explore the Indianapolis metro area. “It was probably the best thing we could’ve done,” Justin said. “We spent weekends driving through multiple neighborhoods in Indianapolis and the surrounding suburbs, including Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield and Fishers, learning the area.”

That exploration eventually brought them to McCordsville, a small but growing town on the northeast edge of Indianapolis.

Finding Home in McCordsville

The first house they toured was in McCordsville. So was the last.

Their journey to buying the home wasn’t straightforward. After an initial offer fell through, the sellers temporarily pulled the house off the market. When it reappeared, with a new roof and freshly painted interior, Justin spotted the open house listing and went alone.

“I was the only person there,” he said. “I let the realtor know I had been the one to put in the last offer. All I wanted was for them to replace the windows. The realtor said, ‘Done.’ That sealed the deal.”

What also sealed it was the community feel. “All of our neighbors are super friendly,” Justin added. “We really like the area.”

Millie chimed in: “One of our neighbors tells us to come over and grab vegetables from her garden anytime. Another came over and watched our cats while we were out of town. Everyone has been so generous and welcoming.”

A Fresh Start Professionally and Personally

For Millie, the move wasn’t just about better air and friendlier neighbors. It was a career pivot. After 14 years in pharmacy, she landed a role at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, finally stepping into the field she had always dreamed of: public health.

“I went back to school later in life,” she said. “I’m in a master’s program for public health. When we were living in Georgia, I made it to the final round for a CDC fellowship but it didn’t work out. The YMCA was the first place to really give me a chance to make that transition. I’m so grateful.”

Justin’s work also gained momentum. With Indianapolis as his hub, his ability to reach his accounts and customers expanded. “Flying out of the Indianapolis Airport is a breeze. It’s been great for my travels.”

A Balance of Rural and Urban

For the couple part of McCordsville’s appeal lies in its geography.

“Millie has a soft spot for the cornfields,” Justin said with a laugh. “She loves that rural, open feel. I’m drawn more to the rolling hills and wooded areas. Here, we get the best of both worlds: cornfields just a few blocks away and Geist Reservoir right on our route into Fishers. No matter the season, it’s beautiful.”

Millie added that their daily lives have been enriched by small-town amenities. “There’s a coffee shop called Coffee at the Crossing that kind of sealed the deal for me,” she said. “And we’re less than a quarter mile from walking trails. With our Great Dane, Seamus, that was non-negotiable.”

Renovating for the Future

Their builder-grade home is slowly being transformed into a reflection of their personalities.

“The very first thing I tackled was the lighting,” Justin said. “Given my line of work, it had to be. I’ve been replacing all the standard lights with fixtures that bring a touch of elegance and style to the house.”

Other future projects include replacing outdated outlets, remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms, and building a library in the front room. Upstairs, they’re converting a space into a home theater. And soon, a fence will enclose the yard for Seamus.

“This house has good bones,” Millie said. “It feels comfortable and homey now, but in a few years it’ll feel even more ours.”

Seamus and cats, Harry and Albus (named after Harry Potter characters), are settling in, too. “We want to make this a space where everyone, pets included, feels at home,” Justin said.

Building Community

Between careers, graduate school and renovations - time is limited. But the couple is intent on weaving themselves into their new community.

They’re looking forward to joining neighborhood board game nights and trying pickleball as a fun way to meet peers. Millie subscribes to McCordsville’s community newsletter, which keeps them in the loop. “We’re planning to go to the next town event,” she said.

Even small interactions have made a big difference. “This feels way more like home than where we lived in the Atlanta area,” Justin said.

Finding Home at Last

For this Nebraska-born couple, Indiana represents more than just another stop in their cross-country journey. It’s where careers found new footing, where neighbors became friends and where they were able to find a home they could finally make their own.

“Moving here has given us so many opportunities we wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Millie reflected. “It feels like the right place for us.”

Justin agreed: “This feels like home.”