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How It All Began
(From Sarah's perspective)
Shortly after Brad and I were married, we began discussing where we would move. I know this sounds strange, but you have to understand the circumstances. When we were married, I was living just north of downtown Indianapolis. Brad lived in our current home, in the "rural area," if you will, of Avon, one of Indianapolis largest suburbs.
At the time of our marriage, I decided to move to Brad's home, with the caveat that I was not living there permanently. I hated it there. The traffic is horrendous; I was far from the city I loved; I had no intention of being called a suburbanite; and why - WHY - in the name of heaven would I drive 40 minutes one way to work when I had lived 10 minutes from my workplace and he could, too? I was intent on moving Brad to the city. (Please know that Sarah actually has enjoyed living in Avon the past 12.5 years and made many great friends here. She also lives two minutes from her current job. However, this represents her original attitude.)
We looked at many "fixer uppers" in the city. Fixing up an older home isn't suitable for a woman with a long list of allergies or for a couple who work regular jobs. Condos don't work for a man who collects stuff, and subdivisions don't work for people who aren't rule followers. Brad and Sarah Maisto are nice people, but we think outside the box, and people like conformity in a subdivision. Strike three.
So Brad came up with the compromise. We would stay in our current house in Avon. I could decorate any way I want. Then, when he retired, he wanted to move closer to family. "Family?" I asked. "Chicago? I love your family, but it's too cold there!" He then revealed what he had been thinking. He loves his family, too, but the taxes are too high in Illinois for a sustainable retirement. He really enjoys the rural area where I grew up, so let's plan on moving to southern Indiana. The cost of living is low.
At first, I thought my husband was crazy. He blows the horn and shakes his Chicago-suburban-born Italian fist at people in southern Indiana when they stop and then make a right turn. How could we live there?
I soon warmed up to the idea. Being close to my parents, my brothers, sisters-in-laws, nieces, friends, and extended family sounded pretty good. Then, one day in 2008, the call came. Eric, my brother closest to my age, had been keeping an eye out for property for us and had a good lead. Eric said the property was in Grandview.
"Grandview?" I questioned. "I don't want land that will flood out when the (Ohio) River is high."
Eric said, "There's no way this land is flooding. You just have to see this place."
Eric drove us through the town of Grandview, out some county roads, and to a small gravel road. It reminded me of going to my grandparents' house when I was younger. We slowly made our way up a hill to a gate.
We opened the gate and walked the land. We saw a view that went for miles into Kentucky and a scenic pond that would make for a gorgeous view from any home. The land is contoured and has the "knobs" that southern Indiana land should have. Most of the 70 acres is wooded, which allows for a lot of adventure and little upkeep.
As we walked the land, Brad and I both felt the land resonating deep within us. Few words had to be spoken to know it was the right decision.
We were home. "Maisto Mountain" was born.
(From Sarah's perspective)
Shortly after Brad and I were married, we began discussing where we would move. I know this sounds strange, but you have to understand the circumstances. When we were married, I was living just north of downtown Indianapolis. Brad lived in our current home, in the "rural area," if you will, of Avon, one of Indianapolis largest suburbs.
At the time of our marriage, I decided to move to Brad's home, with the caveat that I was not living there permanently. I hated it there. The traffic is horrendous; I was far from the city I loved; I had no intention of being called a suburbanite; and why - WHY - in the name of heaven would I drive 40 minutes one way to work when I had lived 10 minutes from my workplace and he could, too? I was intent on moving Brad to the city. (Please know that Sarah actually has enjoyed living in Avon the past 12.5 years and made many great friends here. She also lives two minutes from her current job. However, this represents her original attitude.)
We looked at many "fixer uppers" in the city. Fixing up an older home isn't suitable for a woman with a long list of allergies or for a couple who work regular jobs. Condos don't work for a man who collects stuff, and subdivisions don't work for people who aren't rule followers. Brad and Sarah Maisto are nice people, but we think outside the box, and people like conformity in a subdivision. Strike three.
So Brad came up with the compromise. We would stay in our current house in Avon. I could decorate any way I want. Then, when he retired, he wanted to move closer to family. "Family?" I asked. "Chicago? I love your family, but it's too cold there!" He then revealed what he had been thinking. He loves his family, too, but the taxes are too high in Illinois for a sustainable retirement. He really enjoys the rural area where I grew up, so let's plan on moving to southern Indiana. The cost of living is low.
At first, I thought my husband was crazy. He blows the horn and shakes his Chicago-suburban-born Italian fist at people in southern Indiana when they stop and then make a right turn. How could we live there?
I soon warmed up to the idea. Being close to my parents, my brothers, sisters-in-laws, nieces, friends, and extended family sounded pretty good. Then, one day in 2008, the call came. Eric, my brother closest to my age, had been keeping an eye out for property for us and had a good lead. Eric said the property was in Grandview.
"Grandview?" I questioned. "I don't want land that will flood out when the (Ohio) River is high."
Eric said, "There's no way this land is flooding. You just have to see this place."
Eric drove us through the town of Grandview, out some county roads, and to a small gravel road. It reminded me of going to my grandparents' house when I was younger. We slowly made our way up a hill to a gate.
We opened the gate and walked the land. We saw a view that went for miles into Kentucky and a scenic pond that would make for a gorgeous view from any home. The land is contoured and has the "knobs" that southern Indiana land should have. Most of the 70 acres is wooded, which allows for a lot of adventure and little upkeep.
As we walked the land, Brad and I both felt the land resonating deep within us. Few words had to be spoken to know it was the right decision.
We were home. "Maisto Mountain" was born.