How One Mover Took a Leap of Faith with MakeMyMove Which Lead to a Soft Landing in Noblesville

By Natalia Wolting • Mar 13, 2025 UTC

Relocating to a new city can be an intimidating process, especially when moving to a place you’ve never been before. For remote workers like Chris Bradford, moving from the suburbs of Chicago to the town of Noblesville, Indiana, seemed daunting—until he discovered MakeMyMove. His story is one of opportunity, adventure and the undeniable appeal of a fresh start.


The Call for Change

For Chris, the motivation to relocate stemmed from personal reasons—primarily to be closer to his girlfriend who is in the process of getting her doctorate. Before the move, he endured a grueling three-hour commute each month to visit her. "I was living in the Chicago area and my girlfriend lives in Fishers, Indiana," Chris explains. The distance was taking a toll, and he longed for a way to be closer without sacrificing his career.


A Serendipitous Discovery

Chris first heard about MakeMyMove from his mother. “It was my mom that clued me into the program,” Chris recalls. Then when he looked into the program, he couldn’t believe what he was reading. “It was one of those ‘too good to be true’ kind of moments,” he said. “I was impressed that a relocation program like this existed and I’m glad that Noblesville has decided to participate in it.” Noblesville is located near Fishers.


MakeMyMove not only helped alleviate the financial burden of moving but also provided valuable resources to make the transition smoother. “Moving three or four hours away is always intimidating. The program is nice because it takes some financial burden off the move with a relocation package but also gives you resources and people to talk to, helping you acclimate yourself to the area. You can almost ask for no better way to move somewhere.”


Learn about the MakeMyMove process – beginning to end.

Adjusting to Life in Noblesville

Since moving, Chris has appreciated the charm of his new city, “I love Noblesville. I lived in Des Plaines prior, which is about the same size in terms of population, but Noblesville is very clearly run a lot better.”


He quickly settled into his new apartment and began exploring his surroundings. His professional life has remained unchanged, thanks to his fully remote job. “My work life hasn’t been impacted at all,” he shares. “So, that hasn’t been an issue.”


One aspect Chris acknowledges he could work on is getting more involved in the community. “I need to be better about that,” he admits. “I moved in August, and by September, things started getting cold pretty quickly. I have a motorcycle, which is my main social hub, but that’s been put to the wayside for most of the time I’ve been here.”


Despite the slow start to socializing, he’s made some efforts. “There’s a Discord group called Indianapolis Social that I joined,” he says. “I did go to one event through them and I know Noblesville has a lot going on in the summer, so I plan to take advantage of that.”


Looking Ahead

When asked about his future plans, Chris remains open to possibilities. “I don’t know if I’ll buy a home,” he says. “It depends on what my girlfriend wants to do once she’s done with her doctorate. But I do want to stay in Noblesville—I might move within the city limits, though, to a bigger apartment or a rental house.”


One unexpected twist in his relocation story was the addition of a furry new family member. “I came to town on a Monday and by Thursday, when I was visiting my girlfriend at work, I found a three-week-old kitten panting on blacktop under a truck in the middle of a heat wave,” he recalls. “Now I have a cat!” The kitten, named Torgal, has settled into his new home just as Chris has.


Torgal, is the tiniest warrior with the biggest eyes! Ready to conquer hearts, one meow at a time.


Expanding His Passions

Chris has also found a new way to stay engaged with his love of motorcycles. He recently started teaching motorcycle safety courses with a company called Riders First. Through this program, he helps individuals learn how to ride motorcycles safely. “If they pass the course, they receive their motorcycle endorsement,” Chris explains. This new role allows him to share his passion for motorcycles while contributing to the community in a meaningful way.


Chris and the Riders First crew spreading the love for motorcycles and safety!


A Call to a New Adventure

Chris's advice to other remote workers considering MakeMyMove is simple: "Just do it."


“If you’re on the fence about relocating, this program makes it so much easier,” he says. “It removes financial stress; gives you support and introduces you to resources like Mover Guides that make settling in far less intimidating.”


Noblesville has turned out to be a great fit for Chris, and he looks forward to making the most of his time there. “It’s a fantastic place to live, and I’m really glad I made the move.” So, what are you waiting for? With MakeMyMove, you can take a leap of faith knowing that you'll have a soft landing.


About MakeMyMove

Remote work has freed millions of Americans to live where they want, and many are making the move to places that better match their lifestyle. In turn, cities and towns across the country are offering incentives like cash, perks and programming to remote workers who move and work from their communities. At MakeMyMove, you can explore all the places, get personalized help to find the one that’s right for you, connect with locals, and access support to make your move a piece of cake.

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