Michelle Clifford, 33, and her family recently traded their life in California for a new adventure in Celina, Texas, one of America’s fastest-growing cities.
With a deep love for Texas culture—having even attended college there—Michelle and her husband jumped at the chance to relocate when the opportunity arose.
The move has been transformative for the Clifford family.
They found that in Texas, they could buy a larger home for less money, providing more space for outdoor activities with their kids.
This was a significant change from their previous life in California, where housing costs were a major hurdle.
Michelle and her husband had originally settled in Southern California after falling in love and starting their family.
They spent five years in San Diego before moving to San Francisco, where they married and had their first daughter.
During the pandemic, they relocated to Oceanside, California, but realized they wanted a different lifestyle.
Michelle reflected on their decision, saying, “Our priorities shifted over time.
We wanted to slow down and buy a house, but California just wasn’t realistic for us.” With remote work making the move feasible, they first settled in Prosper, another rapidly growing town near Dallas.
In Prosper, they rented a larger home compared to their previous place in Oceanside, but the real upgrade came when they purchased a 2,400-square-foot home in Celina.
For about $600,000, they got a property with an acre of land, a deal that Michelle said was smooth compared to the competitive housing market in California.
Embracing a New Lifestyle
Michelle described the home-buying process in Celina as almost serendipitous. The sellers accepted their offer the same day, and the deal closed in just 15 days.
She noted, “Finding a home in Celina was the easiest process—it was like the stars aligned.”
In Celina, they’ve embraced a new lifestyle, becoming part of a community that includes neighbors with cows and a recent addition of a chicken coop to their property.
The charm of Celina, with its small-town feel and preserved local culture, has been a welcome change from city life.
Community and Culture
Michelle loves the friendly, tight-knit community of Celina.
She described it as having a “small, cozy vibe,” where everyone greets each other and local businesses thrive without the intrusion of fast-food chains. The town’s culture, highlighted by events like the annual Cajun Festival, adds to its appeal.
The Joy of Homeownership
Michelle is thrilled about the opportunity for her children to grow up with space to play and a sense of stability. Reflecting on her journey from frequent renting to finally owning a home, she expressed profound gratitude and joy.
However, she also noted that Celina’s growing popularity is driving up home prices, with the median now around $680,000, 29% higher than in Dallas. Despite this, Michelle hopes Celina retains the quaint charm that drew her there in the first place.
Overall, Michelle’s story underscores the allure of starting anew and finding a place that truly feels like home.
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