Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple, the stars of The Golden Bachelorette, have been making headlines with their plans to find a home in New York City. However, their unconventional approach to living together has left many fans scratching their heads. While the couple has been vocal about their love for each other, their plan to maintain separate homes in different states while also investing in an NYC apartment raises questions about their long-term vision.
A Love Nest That’s Not Full-Time
From the beginning, Joan and Chock’s relationship has been met with skepticism from Bachelor Nation. Viewers were put off by Chock’s behavior during The Golden Bachelorette season 1, including his tendency to isolate himself from the rest of the cast and the intensity of his feelings for Joan. Despite the criticism, the couple stayed strong and announced their plans to move into a shared space in New York.
However, the catch? They don’t actually plan to live there full-time. Instead, their NYC apartment will be a secondary residence—a place where they can spend time together while still maintaining their independent lives in Maryland and Kansas. This part-time living arrangement has led to some confusion, as many expected them to settle down together rather than create yet another transition in their already complex relationship.
Joan’s Heart Is in Maryland
Throughout her time on The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette, Joan has made it clear that her family—her children and grandchildren in Maryland—will always be her priority. While her engagement to Chock suggested she might be willing to relocate permanently, she now seems to be taking a more flexible approach. By splitting her time between Maryland and New York, she’s attempting to balance her family commitments with her new relationship.
For Joan, the NYC apartment is a compromise: a space where she and Chock can nurture their relationship without her having to give up time with her loved ones. However, this arrangement raises questions about whether she’s truly ready for a life with Chock—or if she’s just trying to make the best of a difficult situation.
Chock’s Ties to Kansas & His Business
While Joan’s focus is on her family, Chock’s primary commitment appears to be his business in Kansas. Throughout The Golden Bachelorette, he spoke about his love for his home state and how difficult it would be to leave. His deep connection to his work and lifestyle makes it clear that he was never planning to relocate full-time, which could be why he and Joan settled on the idea of a part-time NYC residence.
Although remote work could have made a permanent move easier, Chock has shown little interest in giving up his Kansas roots. This begs the question: is this part-time NYC life really a step forward for their relationship, or just a way to delay making a real decision?
Is Their NYC Plan Realistic?
While a transient lifestyle might sound appealing to some, Joan and Chock’s plan comes with its own set of challenges. Maintaining three separate residences in different states is expensive and logistically complicated. Constantly moving between Maryland, Kansas, and New York could become exhausting, especially as they grow older.
For a couple in their 60s, settling into a stable home together might seem like a more practical choice. Instead, they’re committing to a lifestyle that requires constant travel and upkeep. While Joan and Chock may be confident in their decision, it remains to be seen whether their love will thrive under such unconventional circumstances—or if their arrangement will eventually pull them apart.
