Vicki Gunvalson Explains Why Briana Culberson's Life in North Carolina Works For Her

Late last year, Briana Culberson bid the hustle and bustle of the glam life in the OC a fond farewell — and moved with her family to North Carolina. Her daughter's move has been an eye-opening experience for Vicki Gunvalson, who has noticed how much Briana is thriving in her new-ish environment.

"She bought a beautiful ranch style home on 25 acres. They have deer in their backyard. They're getting some chickens. She and Ryan have been on this quest to really lose weight and get healthy, which they have done. Between the two of them, they have lost 65 pounds and they're just happy," The Real Housewives of Orange County mom told The Daily Dish recently. "Even her posts and even her demeanor — she's just happy. And the life I wanted her to live in Orange County, Calif. was not what she wanted. She wants rural. She wants to go to the corner and get her strawberries and her sweet corn, her bacon from the pig farm. It's crazy, but that's what she does. She's very organic and very clean eating. No processed foods anymore."

While Briana has struggled with her health over the years, including a Lupus diagnosis, Vicki notes that she seems to really be doing great and has even been working hard as a nurse. "She works at the University of North Carolina at one of their satellite hospitals. And I think that the Orange County life — the busy, keep up with the Joneses, the blond hair and the tall shoes and the big boobs [life] — she's not that girl. She's my country bumpkin, living life large girl. They're two hours away from the coast and she's an hour away form the mountains, so she gets a little bit of Orange County lifestyle, just in a different environment."

The move does mean that Briana and Vicki get to spend way less time together. However, the change of scenery does mean they are closer to Ryan's family who lives near them. But, Vicki is making sure she checks in on them as often as possible.

"I go out there every other month. And at first I was going out crabby 'cause I was pissed off it took me eight hours to get there," she said. "But now I go out and I just take those three or four days; I can just enjoy every moment and then I book my next trip. So that's my new normal."

And, all those visits have got Vicki contemplating a change of pace as well ... someday, that is. "You never know where I'm gonna retire. I've got a long way, probably 10 more years of working hard [but] I might end up in North Carolina," she said. "Who knows? I don't know. We've talked about it because to live apart from her is not going to be easy for the rest of my life. We're really close. I miss her so much."

Check out throwback photos of Briana, below.