As far back as I can remember, I just knew I would pursue a fashion career in New York City.
I was fascinated by red carpets long before I even understood the award shows they preceded, studied fashion magazines with far more fervor than I ever devoted to a textbook, and fantasized about my future palatial shoe closet like a schoolgirl daydreaming about her wedding.
My dreams led me to college in New York City, and not long after, I got a job that would let me live the dream as a Manhattan-based celebrity wardrobe stylist.
For quite some time, life was really good … until it wasn’t.
After 12 years in New York, I started to second-guess the life I’d built
Twelve years later, my dream job had started to feel toxic and culminated in a devastating professional breakup. Plus, my husband was over the Big Apple.
In more ways than one, I had no sense of direction.
While contemplating our next move, I drifted off into classic TV, my mental happy place. Then, it hit me: I wanted to live in Mayberry.
The quintessential small town in “The Andy Griffith Show” brimmed with friendly folks, charm, and community. Surely a couple of burnt-out New Yorkers in their 30s could find refuge in Mayberry.
Of course, basing life decisions on fictional TV locales isn’t always advisable. However, this was an “aha” moment for me. After years of hustling at work, I longed for quiet and simplicity.
Serendipitously, my husband had recently returned from a trip to Amelia Island, Florida — a vacation town about 40 minutes from Jacksonville that fit the bill perfectly. With a population of under 15,000 and a peaceful, quirky vibe, it felt like the next step we needed.
We visited, hoping to book a long-term rental to test the waters, but found limited options. Then, while exploring a quaint neighborhood, we spotted a “for sale” sign.
Although we hadn’t planned to buy a house, we put down an offer. Soon, the home was ours.
I left the big city for a small island, hoping to find a new direction
As we rolled up to our new digs, a case of mistaken identity quickly took shape. The locals assumed we were the grandchildren of the incoming homeowners, rather than the actual homeowners.
Going into our move, I knew Amelia Island was a haven for retirees … but I had no idea the under-50 set was in such short supply. According to census data collected between 2019 and 2023, the median age of residents is around 56.
From the coffee shop to the burger joint to the gym, we were almost always a generation or two younger than fellow patrons. When strolling through our neighborhood, the sight of another 30-something couple was a rarity.
That didn’t stop us from connecting with people, though. Around the time we moved, oodles of considerate neighbors stopped by, bestowing goodies. They even threw an epic block party to welcome “the young couple.”
I was so touched by the people around me. Little did I know how much I would lean on them in the years to come.
I didn’t expect to find such a strong community, but my neighbors became my support system
Three years into my Amelia Island residency, my husband informed me that he wanted a divorce.
My neighbors stepped up as life coaches, bodyguards, and eventually, my Florida family.
They set me straight when I felt sorry for myself, and included me in their family celebrations. They curtailed their usual cocktail hour to witness my impromptu Jewish divorce ceremony.
Now, four years after my divorce, my dog and I have standing invitations to porches by day and backyards by night. My exceptional neighbors are always available for insect assassinations, heavy lifting, and matchmaking consultations — although my age demographic is admittedly scarce.
Prior to spontaneously moving to an island full of retirees, I never imagined that their authenticity, life experience, and perspective would shape who I became for the better.
When I was at my lowest, my neighbor, Jean, said something that has guided me since: “Look for the glimmer. There is always a glimmer.”
I mourned my marriage. I mourned the New York City life I thought I’d live forever. Then, I stopped.
As soon as I spotted something shimmering beneath the surface of these existential earthquakes, I realized there was nothing more to grieve. Everything I had lost had served me, and it cleared the way for everything I gained.
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