The Golden Bachelorette: Signs Joan Vassos Could Be Considering A Move To Kansas (Did She Finally Realize Chock Chapple Is Worth It?)

Since getting engaged on The Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple have maintained a long-distance relationship, but there are signs one of them may soon make the big move. Joan, who recently turned 63 years old, made her television debut on an entirely different Bachelor franchise show. She appeared as a contestant in the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor and hit it off with 72-year-old Gerry Turner before having to leave the season early due to a family emergency. She was soon cast as The Bachelorette and met 24 single Golden men, including Chock.

The Golden Bachelorette season 1 ended with Joan forsaking all others to give Chock her final rose boutonniere. In turn, he got down on one knee and proposed to Joan, who tearfully accepted. The happy couple rode off to spend the rest of their lives together and genuinely seemed happy. Everything seemed to be working out perfectly for the new fiancées. The only thing working against them was geographical reality. Though they've both been resistant to moving, there are signs Joan may agree to live in the Sunflower state one day.

Joan & Chock's Long Distance Relationship

They're Both Attached To Their Homes

Before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1, Joan was a private school administrator living in Maryland. It's where she raised her family and where her grandchildren live. Joan was married to John Vassos, the love of her life, until he passed away in 2021. They'd been married for 32 happy years and had four children together before he was diagnosed with cancer. During The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan talked about being in denial when John was diagnosed. Joan never believed John could actually die and leave her behind.​​​​​​​

Before he passed away, John made Joan promise that she wouldn't live alone for the rest of her life. Joan kept her word and waded back into the dating pool when she decided to be on The Golden Bachelor. It's easy to understand why Joan would be reluctant to leave Maryland, where she lived the whole other life. Though she found love again with Chock, it must be difficult to let go of the past. It's also hard because her children and grandchildren still live in Maryland.

Like Joan, Chock came to The Golden Bachelorette season 1 afterlosing a great love. He was engaged to Katherine Goree for nine years before she passed away in 2022. Chock is a Wichita native, so leaving Kansas for Maryland would be a large ask. The bigger issue for Chock is that he owns a successful insurance company in Kansas, so moving away isn't an option. They've both talked about being happy going back and forth, but that could get old once the blush of new love wears off.

Joan's Been In Kansas A Lot

Chock's Been Showing Her Around Wichita

Since getting engaged during The Golden Bachelorette season 1 finale, Joan and Chock have been going back and forth between Maryland and Kansas to be together. They've essentially been maintaining a long-distance relationship, and so far, it's worked out for them. After spending Thanksgiving with their gathered families at Joan's house in Maryland, they then celebrated Christmas at Chock's house in Kansas. Recently, Chock posted Instagram photos of him showing Joan around Wichita. Though they've said they intend to find a place together in New York, Joan looks so comfortable in Kansas.

Though Joan has seemed to enjoy spending time in Kansas with Chock, The Golden Bachelorette will probably not be moving to Kansas permanently. She's too close to her children and grandchildren. She could never leave them behind. Joan and Chock's unique living arrangement involves them going back and forth to be together and eventually sharing a third place. They've even been looking at property in New York City.

The Wichita Golden Couple?

Joan Seems Happy In The Sunflower State

Joan and Chock have been in demand since getting engaged on The Golden Bachelorette season 1. They recently appeared on the cover of Splurge! Magazine, which posted the photos on Instagram. The post's caption reads, "We’re thrilled to feature Chock and Joan on our February cover!" Splurge! Magazine is a Wichita, Kansas publication, and Joan got their stamp of approval. Chock has a great life in Wichita, and Joan appears to be happy in Kansas too.

Joan & Chock's NYC Apartment Hunt

They Both Love The Big Apple

After getting engaged, Joan and Chock discovered they shared a love of New York City. The Golden Bachelorette season 1 couple decided that, while they'd keep their separate homes, they'd find a third place to share in New York City. They want to hang out together in the city they love, along with their children. During the early weeks of their engagement, Joan and Chock spent a lot of time in the city and posted photos all the time.

In November 2024, Joan and Chock posted an NYC apartment update on Instagram. In the clip, they talked about the day they spent looking at apartments. Though they hadn't found a place, their real estate agent was going to continue looking for a place for them. Chock even said they expected to be in a place by the end of 2024. That didn't happen, and Joan and Chock stopped talking about the apartment. For a while, it seemed as if their NYC Big Apple dream was dead, but The Golden Bachelorette couple recently got back to their NYC apartment hunt.

Sources: Chock Chapple/Instagram, Splurge! Magazine/Instagram, Joan Vassos/Instagram