Holidays celebrated year-round with festive events, a stunning patchwork of golden fields and vibrant crops, rich culture at every turn, and a sense of community fostered by local businesses and churches. These are just a few reasons Macie Exley and her husband, Cody, packed up their life in Florida and embarked on an 800-mile journey to make the Indiana Uplands their home.
With a strong sense of place, the Indiana Uplands region offers not only beautiful landscapes but also an ever-growing economic base and a deep sense of community. As Macie and Cody settled into Daviess County along with their fur babies Curtis and Luna in September 2023, they embraced the region’s welcoming spirit, strengthened by a blend of rural tranquility and proximity to vibrant cities.
Macie works as a training coordinator for True RX Health Strategists in Washington. The couple purchased a home in Odon.
Born and raised in Indiana, Macie called the Hoosier State home until she moved to Florida with her husband when she was 22.
Though the couple loves the area, Macie explained that their decision to leave Jacksonville for the opportunity-rich Indiana Uplands region took five years of planning.
“Moving over 800 miles is a huge decision, both financially and physically. We had to have a game plan for housing, occupation, and a good financial plan in place before we made the move,” Macie said.
“Our family really was a huge support system in helping with our big move once we were ready.”
She encourages anyone planning a big move to the Uplands to do their research, including getting quotes from multiple moving companies before hiring one.
“We actually chose to rent a U-Haul instead of hiring a moving company, as it was much more cost-efficient,” she explained.
Macie also suggests hiring a realtor before moving to see what is available in the area. This could help influence the timing of your move, depending on whether the market is hot or if it’s not the best time to buy a house.
No matter the time of year, moving to a new area is always an adjustment, especially when it’s a move from a big city with a population of over 970,000, such as Jacksonville, to Daviess County, with a population of just over 100,000, Macie explained.
The job market in the Uplands encouraged the couple to focus on quality opportunities and make thoughtful career choices that truly align with their skills and passions. Macie heard about a job opening with True RX from friends who worked there. She enjoys the creative freedom she has working for the pharmacy benefit manager.
“True RX truly cares for their employees and believes that each person who works for their company has the power to bring innovation and knowledge to the organization,” Macie said.
“I enjoy the support that I receive from my leadership team. True RX puts employees and patients first.”
As a training coordinator, Macie is responsible for scheduling training for all incoming new hires and educating them on the industry standards of a pharmacy benefit manager and what True RX does as a company.
Because of True RX’s community outreach through Daviess County United Way Day of Caring, Macie met many new people. She is also a happy participant in many of Odon’s local festivals, which has given her an opportunity to meet more people and re-establish her roots in the region.
Returning to her hometown was an easier transition for Macie. The couple embraces rural living in the Uplands and enjoys hopping in their car to explore unique amenities nearby, with the added convenience of being just a short drive from larger cities like Bloomington, Indianapolis, and Greenwood, and their diverse offerings.
“My husband and I love Korean food, so we love going to Greenwood and eating at K-town,” she said.
The Covered Bridge Festival and an antique show in Elnora are some other nearby hidden gems the couple has uncovered, along with their annual visit to the Christmas Craft Show at North Daviess High School to buy gifts from local vendors.
In a region known for its natural beauty in every season and welcoming communities, Macie said she loves calling the Uplands home—a place where the opportunities of tomorrow meet the values of family and community today.
She especially appreciates the changing seasons, something she missed while living in Jacksonville, where it always felt like either summer or winter.
“I love that I get to see the changing leaves and all the fun activities that our small town puts on all year to celebrate the various holidays,” Macie shared. “I have missed that small-town feel.”
Are you or someone you know a new—or returning—Uplander? Reach out to Storytelling Specialist Suzannah Couch to share your story and be featured on our website and in an upcoming newsletter! Sign up for our newsletter here.