Hello everyone in The Smart Move Society! My name is Ed Frey. I look forward to being more efficient and I believe this community is going to help so much!

Hi All! If you haven't read it yet, this morning I shared my latest LinkedIn newsletter, 'Life In Transition' where I go deep into why it's been so quiet in here since I started this! Check it out here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/life-in-transition-7362994233051340800

Share one positive of the week! I'm watching my cousin Annie's two love birds while she's moving and they are ADORABLE!! Loud, but adorable! I really want a parrot, I have a picture of one on my wall. But have never spent time with a bird so it's been great market research. What's got you excited this week?

I created the Smart Move Society and then got quiet. A few people in my life passed away, I lost my job, and the last several weeks have been full of travel and events. I’ve also been filming and recording a new YouTube playlist to help you through your moving journey, updating my website, and moving everything over to a new platform. It’s been a lot, but I should have let you know what was going on. I’m sorry I left you wondering. I’m back, I’m fired up, and I’m ready to make this the community I imagined: a place where we can connect, ask honest questions, share what we’re learning, and make smart moves together. There are also some big new things coming that I'm super excited about that I can't wait to tell you about! I'll give you a hint...I'm heading out of town again Thursday to guest on a new podcast launching for a really big company so it's about to get crowded in here! So let’s start here! Introduce yourself in the comments: 📍 Where do you live now? 🧭 Are you thinking about moving, planning a move, or settling in somewhere new? 💬 What topics would you love us to talk about here? And one more thing: you’re here at the very beginning. We’ll be charging for new members soon, but you’ll keep your free access as a founding member! My thank you to you for being here early. If you know someone who’s considering a move, someone who loves their city and wants everyone to move there (think City Ambassador!), or just random people that like to talk about how to navigate big life transitions...invite them in now so they can join us for free, too. Onward, Moving Smartie! I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s get moving! XO, Mariette

Are you an influencer, real estate agent, community builder, or just someone who loves where you live — and you want to brag on your city a bit?This is where you'd post about it. Think of this as your city’s “highlight reel. ”You’re helping others understand what it feels like to live there — not just the stats. When you create your City Spotlight, try to paint a picture of: - What the city feels like day-to-day - Who thrives there and why - What someone should know before they move Example Structure City Name:Your Neighborhood (if you'd like): What makes this city great: • Great public transportation and walkable neighborhoods • Local food culture with strong small business energy • Diverse communities with lots of opportunities to connect • Well-maintained parks, trails, and public spaces • A slower pace and a quieter feel than major metros Who tends to love it here: • Remote workers • New families • Downsizers who want more calm and simplicity • Creatives wanting access to community events and local culture Things to know before moving: • Housing availability (tight, abundant, competitive, affordable) • Average rent or home prices (approximate ranges if you know them) • Commute patterns (easy, heavy traffic at certain times, etc.) • Weather considerations • Any major lifestyle tradeoffs A few places that feel like ‘this city in a nutshell’: • Favorite coffee shop • A park, neighborhood, or street that feels iconic • A locally loved restaurant or weekend hangout Example Mini Spotlight City: Milwaukee, WI Neighborhood: Bay View What makes it great: A friendly, artsy, down-to-earth community with a strong lakefront culture and lots of walkable spots to gather. Easy access to nature, breweries, and live music. Who loves it: People who want affordability with character and don’t need the pace of Chicago but still enjoy a vibrant culture. Things to Know: Winters are real. Summer is magic. Cost of living is still reasonable. In a nutshell: Lakefront mornings at South Shore Park, afternoon coffee at Colectivo, and dinner on Kinnickinnic Ave.