The Golden Bachelorette: I'm Convinced Joan Vassos Is Not Moving To NYC With Chock Chapple Anymore (She Hasn't Been Wearing Her Engagement Ring Often)

Amid rumors that The Golden Bachelorette couple Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are setting up a home base in Wichita, Kansas, I’m growing more confident that they're abandoning their dream of moving to New York City. Sparks flew instantly between the couple when Chock competed for Joan’s affection on The Golden Bachelorette season 1. As their love grew stronger, both worked through complex emotions surrounding dating after losing their former partners. Joan and Chock learned to lean on each other, and they ended the season with an engagement.

As Joan and Chock looked to their future together, one challenge remained: Joan lives in Maryland, while Chock lives in Wichita, Kansas. Before their engagement, they agreed to purchase a home together in New York City. Joan and Chock planned to divide their time between Maryland, Kansas, and NYC, allowing them to build a life together without giving up the lives they already had. Unfortunately, it seems things may not have worked out as planned. As speculation mounts about Joan and Chock’s living situation, I believe their NYC dreams are beginning to crumble.

Joan Wasn't Wearing Her Ring In Her Most Recent TikTok

Is Her Relationship With Chock In Trouble?

Joan recently shared a video on TikTok where she modeled several of her favorite outfits. While she delivered impressive looks, fans were distracted by one noticeable detail: Joan’s missing engagement ring. Her left hand was conspicuously bare, leading many to wonder if she and Chock had called off their engagement.

Removing engagement or wedding rings is often the first indicator of a split. With Joan and Chock constantly battling breakup rumors, it feels very intentional to make such an obvious change without addressing it. I wonder if Joan’s bare ring finger hints at deeper issues within her relationship.

Fortunately, a missing ring isn’t always a sign of trouble. There are many reasons why Joan may not be wearing her ring. It could be getting repaired or resized, or maybe she prefers to wear it on formal occasions. Chock commented on Joan’s most recent (and ringless) Instagram post with “I’m a lucky guy!” seemingly confirming they are still very much together.

Joan & Chock Haven't Given Any Recent NYC Updates

Their House Hunt Seems To Be On Pause

Joan and Chock announced their engagement in November 2024 but haven't shared news about finding an NYC home. Joan and Chock devoted themselves to house hunting after The Golden Bachelorette finale aired, but they were met with disappointment. After they lost out on their dream home in December, Joan admitted she’s not willing to settle for anything less than perfect.

Joan suggested she and Chock would put their house hunt on pause until the spring, when the market improves. However, spring is now here, and there are no new NYC updates. I believe this may signal that once the initial excitement died down, Joan and Chock reevaluated their plans.

It’s likely that maintaining two homes in opposite parts of the country, as well as constantly traveling for media appearances, is enough for the couple. During Joan and Chock’s rare moments of downtime, they probably want to enjoy the peaceful moments rather than looking for a third location. It makes sense that Joan and Chock are backing away from their NYC dreams as they focus on more important things, like their wedding.

Are Joan & Chock Taking Things Slow?

They Have Yet To Announce A Wedding Date

Despite getting engaged just weeks after meeting, Joan and Chock are in no rush when it comes to their relationship. They’re enjoying their engagement, with a wedding not likely until late 2025 or even early 2026. Despite Joan not wearing her ring, she and Chock appear stable and happy together. I wouldn’t be surprised if moving to NYC is simply no longer a priority for them.

Joan and Chock both had full lives when they met. They have families, friends, and careers, which can be complicated to merge in even the best situations. Because Joan and Chock’s relationship has been so public and unconventional, I believe it’s smart of them to focus on making sure everything else is in place before rushing into marriage.

Joan and Chock’s NYC dreams may never come true, but that doesn’t mean they’re destined for failure. They hatched their city living plan back on The Golden Bachelorette before they’d ever experienced life outside the mansion. Now that Joan’s getting more comfortable in Wichita, and her fame continues to grow, it’s unsurprising that they’re reevaluating. The ability to adapt is a positive sign for Joan and Chock’s future, and it proves that they’re putting their relationship first.