moving with a LO to a new city, yay or nay?!

mjsweetgirl

DH has an amazing opportunity with a new job, that is his dream job, that would move us to a new city a few states away. We've lived without family before, about 1400 miles away, for DH grad school. We really loved living on our own and living our own life. We moved back to CO in 2008, I got pregnant a few months later. DS has lived his whole short life near our families and closer to my parents. I am scared in my heart to move, but in my head I know it would be a great opportunity for DH and our life would be great there too. The job is in the Seattle area. I am really really torn. We have a lot of help here. Help meaning an overnight about once a month, occasional babysitting, and just being near family. But on the other hand we are tired of family drama and are ready for a new adventure. I'm just looking for others with a similar experience and how their families handled the news. TIA!!!

saturdaynightdoubletree

We lived in a triple decker above DH's aunt's parents, aunt and uncle across the street, grandfather across the street... and no family more than 75 miles away. Free babysitting, lots of family dinners and parties... fun, but stressful. Once DD was born it was really hard on me... if I went to the store and came home without saying hello and goodbye to the family around us, they would put a major guilt trip on me... it was awful! (but still great having family so close by).

May-July DH was sent to the Gulf for the BP oil spill with the USCG... I moved down to my parents house for a while, my dad happened to be laid off while I was there. It was so nice being able to go to the store alone, go out with my friends after DD was sleeping and know she was in good hands... etc, etc. 

Then we got a phone call... and an opportunity to move from MA to TX. DH's opportunity to do more with his career, more money for us to be more comfortable, lots of perks. I had never lived out of MA, wanted the experience, but wasn't sure about being so far away from family. To throw an extra wrench in the deal, I was 26 weeks pregnant at the time. We decided to go for it. I'm so happy we did! It is very hard being this far away from family... but I don't miss the guilt trips and pressure of bringing DD by to see everyone all the time. I feel like there's so much more time and energy focused on our little family... and it's amazing! I miss New England, the fall, etc... but I love the experience of being somewhere else... no pressure... no stress... no drama we can't turn our phones off to. The extra income has made things easier with DD too... she goes to DC to socialize, we do music classes, lunch dates, etc. that we didn't have time or money for before. It has been hard meeting people, but I think that's also due to the fact that I'm in the 3rd tri fat, pg, and lazy, haha.

It's up to you and DH what feels right. It's a hard adjustment at first, but was well worth it for us. Sorry for the novel, and GL with your decision!

*sallymad*

Yay! 

I would move in a heartbeat if we had the opportunity, esp if it was before dd started school. If she was already in kindergarten and she loved the school I might not, but I guess it depends on the job offer and location..... 

rebus82

Well, we're moving to the other side of the world next year (likely Germany or Tokyo) and, honestly, my biggest concern is the plane ride to get there. I'm just so excited to get the hell out of this town that most concerns with living somewhere else just fall by the wayside. We don't get much help with childcare as it is, so I don't think we'll really feel like we're missing much in that regard. 

My parents just smiled and said they'd visit when we told them our plans. They'll miss us like crazy, but my dad was military when I was a kid and we moved all over and never lived near family, so he understands. MIL on the other hand is living in a constant state of denial. If we mention moving she says to shut up because we're not taking her grandson away, and then she doesn't answer the phone for a week, missing a chance to see said grandson. It's rather juvenile and very annoying. She probably won't accept the reality until she calls us to hang out and we remind her that we're on a different continent. And SIL just whines about how B will miss her (I really doubt he'll care), yet she absolutely refuses to get on a plane to visit.

Sweets2005

I would go!

Mommy2B_Hart

I would go.  In a heartbeat.

Chrysallys

I moved to a new country when DS was two months old so of course I'll say yay. It's so hard being away from my friends and familly since I lived in the same place for 37 years, but I look at it as an adventure and a new beginning. We have opportunities here that we never would have had back in the States. Good luck!