Pros and Cons of Moving

No amount of money or opportunity would persuade me to leave the home, city, friends and family that I love. I know lots of people who move all the time, and they are perfectly happy, but I would never do it.

I'll share my friend's story. I hope it will help. If you're not religious then take what you can from a story that is about faith and listening for answers to prayer.

I'm going to name my friend Mary so it's easier for me instead of typing "my friend" over and over.

My friend Mary is from a small town in the Idaho/Montana/Wyoming area. She met a guy at college who was studying engineering. He was from Chicago. They married and when graduated he was offered a job in Oklahoma. They wanted to stay in the Wyoming/Montana/Idaho area because the loved to snow ski, boat, water ski, camp, hike, bike, and more. True adventure sort of people.

He took the job in Oklahoma because they decided it was a good paying job and Mary could stay home and they could start their family right away. He could pay off his school debt within 10 years and have savings to boot. So it was where they were supposed to be.

They lived in Oklahoma and had 4 kids, life was good. Mary had good friends and her kids were well liked and happy. When time came for them to reach their goal hubby started applying for each job with his company in their goal area and some were offered. They'd kneel and pray, asking God if this was what they were supposed to do. Each time they'd get a "No, this is not your job". SO they'd decline the offer.

Hubby was in line for a couple of similar jobs, same pay rate or slightly above but nothing that screamed this is the perfect job. He wasn't unhappy with his job or employer, they just wanted to be in a different area of the USA.

He started doing applications for other companies in their goal area so he could be fresh with his interview skills and have some ideas of what other companies were offering for his job so he would know if he was getting the appropriate money or if he might need to do some classes to gain other skills too. He told Mary if he got any interviews he'd take an extra day to look at housing and schools while he was there.

He got a call asking him to come to for an interview so off he flew. He felt pretty good about the interview filling his purpose but again he had no real interest in changing companies.

He went to the interview and when they asked him what it would take for him to leave the company he worked for he made up an elaborate salary thinking there was no way they'd offer him that.

The next day he flew home with a whole lot of information about housing and school. That afternoon his phone rang and the company he'd interviewed with happily offered him this job with the exorbitant salary he'd quoted to them. It was 30% more than he was currently making.

They prayed that night thinking it was going to be another NO from God but God said to them "I told you the time would come for you to move to your home and this is what I've been making for you".

SO they took the job offer, their house sold in 2 weeks, they flew to their new state, walked into the first house out in the country and put in an offer. The area they moved to had several families that were members of their church and were inactive. Now all those families are active and they do crafts at Mary's house every week and she's so happy they waited and listened to God. They have their own branch now.

There were multiple reasons for the timing for their move. They were where they were supposed to be for many reason's. The time comes when it's time to move forward.

Their kids went to a new school, high school, jr. high, elementary school, and an infant. Everyone supremely excelled in the new school system, they played sports and the 2nd son even got college scholarships on his achievements. They did what they felt was an answer to prayer. It was their time and it worked for them.

If he's offered the job it sounds like there are no real cons to moving.
It might be hectic figuring it all out but try to look at it as an adventure.
Besides all the other good points you have mentioned - moving is THE best way to clean out stuff that's been collecting in closets for years.
Moving now would be better so your daughter is established before she gets to high school.

Sounds to me like it would be a great move. However, what is the job market like in this place you are moving to? If he hates this job, would he be able to find another fairly easily? I just moved to the Dallas area (with my same company), however I know if something were to go bad, I have tons of other job opportunities I can take.

Regarding your daughter, this could be a good step for her. I moved around a lot as a kid. We moved in high school (9th grade) and I was there until I graduated. Most of the people I graduated with had been there their whole life. Small town, same group of friends. They were terrified of change. They all went to the same two or three colleges in state and most of them still live in the area close to their parents. For some people that works, but it's because of fear of change that they are stuck. Being able to face change and deal with it is a great skill for your daughter to have.

Your husband has been stuck in a miserable job for 10 years? That's draining, and I can understand why he is excited.

I think there are some more things to consider before you decide. How does your job compare to his new job in terms of pay, income, and benefits? You say that his pay will increase if you move, but will your family income increase, or will he have a higher paid job but you will end up with a lower paid job? If so, there might not be a net increase for the family. What is the cost of living in the new city? If salaries are higher in the new city, but the cost of housing is also drastically higher, again, the increase in pay may not result in a benefit to your family lifestyle. There are online calculators that figure this out for you. Are the public schools there good, or would you have to pay for private school?

On the other hand, if your family income will go up, and it will go up more than the cost of living, and the schools are good, think of what that could do for you! Get out of debt if you have any. Go on an extra family vacation every year. Plus a happier husband. These are all things that can make for a more relaxed happier home. Since you are concerned about your daughter, you might think of something specific you can do to make her happy - a summer pool membership or the dance (or karate or whatever) lessons she always wanted.

Change is always hard, but don't let fear keep you from doing this. Especially when vetoing the move for no logical reason, just fear, could lead to having a resentful husband.

you don't EVER 'know.' there are no big decisions like this that are 100% perfect and completely without caveats.
your 'cons' are not inconsiderable. giving up a great job with great benefits is obviously a concern.
but the pros seem to way outweigh it. and your main objection really is fear-based.
i'd do it. there are no guarantees, and you can't be certain it won't crash and burn. but that's always the case. and it sounds as if there are such significant gains to moving ahead that sometimes you just have to shove fear aside.
good luck, hon!
khairete
S.

My husband is in the exact same boat as your husband! He just finished interviewing for a job (out of state) that will also put him back in the field he used to be in (and wants to be in again)!! They called him today to discuss salary, so things are in motion!!! Also, just like you, our last move was a TERRIBLE decision (for his job - it was a wonderful job, but a horrible place to raise a family). We are also in our 40's by the way.

So, I completely understand where you are coming from. However, let me say that if your husband gets the job, "GO FOR IT!!!!!" (as long as it's a good place to raise a family). Do not pass up this opportunity for your husband to be happy in his job again, and back in his previous field.

Just like you said, you will find another job, and I believe you said your husband is the breadwinner, so definitely put his potential new job first.

Your daughter will be fine - even with her anxiety issues. There will be an adjustment period for her, of course, but I have no doubt that she will be fine. As long as she sees your and your husband's excitement and has a ton of love and support from you two, she will be fine.

As I said, just make sure you live in a good town with good schools, and you will be fine. Change is good - it's refreshing. I'm sure you will love your new state that will hopefully have less snow than Indiana! Good luck! (fingers crossed for both of us)!

I have learned that life changes even if we don't make the choice.

Could your husband go ahead and try it out for a couple of months before you all move? It's already Feb and these job things, if he gets it, tend to take a couple of weeks to really finalize - at the minimum. So then you're almost in March. You might want your daughter to finish out the year. We did that years ago when my kids were toddlers and it was brutal on me but glad we did as I had a very good job and the company my husband joined turned out to not be what he thought it'd be. So after ~9 months of this (hell) he came back and I hadnt' given up my job etc so now it's like it never happened. Most companies would understand not wanting to move your child getting close to school year end and might offer a bit of extra comp to have him take a small apt near his new company. It's not ideal of course but it lowers the whole risk profile significantly. Otherwise it's a tough call bc you can't predict the future and you'll never know how your daughter would have fared in the place you didn't end up. She is young enough that a move shouldn't be out of the question though. And selling your house also shouldn't hold you back. People do it all the time.

It looks that as you said, it is still a possibility, so do not stress out but think positively:
Moving is not always a bad thing, especially if it is a great opportunity for your husband and your family.
It is sad for kids to leave family (if they live in the same town or close) and friends in the beginning, but, believe me, they get used to it and make new friends, learn new things and learn about life; life changes and it is not always what we want it to be, good or bad, mostly good.
Sit down with your husband, talk about this decision, and think together carefully about your job, and his new job prospect (finances, acquisitive power and how everything/everyone will be affected with this change, etc) Talk and analyze the situation together; write things down and mostly be positive and happy for your husband. I imagine that at this point, he is doing his homework (search about the company, benefits,city and neighborhoods, etc.) and yourself as well like finding out about schools, housing, and all those things that are vital for you as a family,etc.
With any moving because of a new job, comes risks, and good things as well, and if this is a good opportunity, balance your expectations, needs and make a decision together.
We have moved a few times, within the same city and out of state; it has been an adjustment and a crazy journey every time, but still a great experience. The hard part is the moving itself, the packing, the stress to have everything ready, etc, but it is something that needs to be done, the more organized this step is, the more successful it is going to be, so if you see it coming soon, start planning!
Good luck and take it easy!
A. :)

Research, well, the company he is interviewing with, and MAY get a job with.
You could even possibly Google search, what other employees say, about working for that company etc.
And will they help with relocation costs? Finding you a place to live etc.? Some companies, do. Some, don't.
And what benefits do they have for employees?
And what is their track record etc.?
Is there high turn over in that company?
Why are they looking to fill the position?
Is this an international or national company that is stable... or it is a Mom and Pop type, small business type company?
Is the company growing etc.?
Or stagnating?
That is what I would also, look into.
Because the company culture, of a company, matters.
Too.

I say sounds like a good thing. What state are we talking about. That would be the only thing that would influence my decision.

I don't know what I would do if it was a decision I had any say in. I grew up with a Navy dad and we moved all the time, didn't matter if we wanted to and we didn't have much say in where we went either. I went to three different high schools, two in my 11th grade year alone. It can be hard, but it made me who I am today.

Growing up military, the one thing we ALWAYS had was each other. I am extremely close to my family (I'm 30, married, 3 kids, but that doesn't change the bond with my family). My older sister lives 8 hours away and we all have trouble with it. Not "need help" trouble, we just all wish they were closer - especially since she had a baby last week. It's SO hard that we weren't with her during labor, we didn't get to hold the baby when she was born, we didn't get to be there to help my sister with whatever she needed. So family being near is a huge requirement for me.

With that being said, if the opportunity was great enough, I might be willing to make the plunge.

I guess you don't know if it's worth it until you do it. I'd lay out all of the pros and cons, literally make a list, and go from there.

It's hard for me to say what the answer is (and there probably is no right or wrong answer); all I will tell you is my own experience. We moved when I was in 7th grade, and then again when I was in 9th (both times for my dad's career). I cannot tell you how difficult it was to move in middle school. I can still remember how terrible it was. It didn't help that we moved to a very small town where nobody ever moved in or out (except us LOL). My dad commuted to a larger city for his job back then.

I ended up hating high school too and went far away to college and never really came home again. One of the things I loved best about college is that I got to start new just like everyone else in the freshman class.

I was an anxious, nerdy, bookish tween and teen. But I turned out OK.

My mom and dad's 2nd move did work out well for them as my dad's business took off. So there was a silver lining to it. I just thought they never realized how awful it was for me to move. They seemed perplexed when I started acting out and doing poorly in school (when I had been in gifted program all of my early years).

If you do do it - just try to be sensitive to your daughter's needs (and it sounds like you are).

Good luck.