Moving to another city is difficult. Moving to the other side of the country is even more difficult. Chanel Smith knows this all too well as she along with her husband, Torrey Smith, and son, T.J., were forced to relocate to Santa Clara, California, after Torrey was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers.
“I knew nothing about this area,” says Chanel who opted to remain in their five bedroom Baltimore home with T.J. for several weeks before finally coming out to California. “I was kind of boycotting,” adds the football wife.
Although the Smiths lived in the lap of luxury in Maryland, they soon learned of the high cost of living that is Northern California when their mortgage payments on their five bedroom home could only get them a small apartment in San Jose. “Torrey was O.K. with a little apartment,” shares Chanel. “That’s great—but we have a baby. T.J. needs space to run around. And, coming from a house, I feel claustrophobic in an apartment. So we waited an extra week and got a three-bedroom townhouse.”
After decorating and taking time to become familiar with the area, Chanel is finding her and the family’s sense of normalcy once again. She, however, still misses home. “My best friend lives in Maryland. My mom lives two hours north. Torrey’s family lives two hours south. I enjoyed having people over for the weekend, taking T.J. from me. Out here, I’m by myself. A five-hour flight with a baby is no fun; I won’t be making too many trips home. It’s going to be rough.”
Photo: Simon Bruty
