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What would you do? (Re: moving cross country, long)

bubbs147bubbs147
in Northern California Babies

So we're both in a rut.  My firm is having a hard time, hit hard by the economy.  I don't think we're closing our doors any time soon, but everyone (even us owners) have taken a 30% pay cut.  And I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We also aren't paid holidays, and are not accruing PTO.  So all holidays and days off are unpaid.  DH is still getting his full pay, but the firm hasn't had raises in three years.  So we're both down.  The house (like many others) isn't worth what we owe, but we can't negotiate anything on our mortgage since we make enough right now.  (We are still barely scraping by monthly, between expenses and daycare.)

So we have been batting around the idea of moving back to Florida, by my family.  Cost of living is incredibly cheaper.  We could get a big lakefront house for half the price of our small lot home here.  We would have family around (my parents, sister's family, my extended family) to help.  (No family here.)  

On the flip side, we have an amazing group of friends here that is our local family.  I would be incredibly sad to leave them.  And the girls love their daycare/preschool.  So I would be sad to uproot them.  I own a portion of my company.  But it's hard to not consider moving.  Financially, it would be much easier.  But I just don't know...to imagine starting over at jobs, just sounds so daunting...

If you got all the way to the end, thank you:)  What would you do? 

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Re: What would you do? (Re: moving cross country, long)

  • hersheykisshersheykiss

    That is tough, but if it was me, I would move in a heartbeat. My family's health, wealth, and well being means more than anything. The girls will have a good school in a new location, you will make new friends, and we will still be here to help with support. You will also have your family close to you in FL.

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  • 2bearichards2bearichards

    What is the job situation like in Florida?  Would you be able to find something quickly or before you get there?

    If I was guaranteed a job, I would move in.  It sounds like it is a good financial move for you and there is nothing better than being close to family (that is, if you like them!).

    Good luck with your decision!

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  • Mrs.BoomBoomMrs.BoomBoom

    After seeing the segment on the national news this morning about houses under 150K around the country, I was ready to call DH and tell him we were moving!  After being in San Diego for two weeks, I told DH to start looking for a job there.  I figure we'll make new friends and the kids will adjust to changes in schools.  It would be so nice to have family around to help (if they really would and wouldn't inject their own contrary opinions) and have a much lower cost of living (assuming you could still make more)

    Isn't Florida in worse financial shape than we are?  Wouldn't want to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.

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  • MeritageMeritage member

    I agree with the other posters in that it all sounds great for moving, except that you haven't given any details about the potential for a job in FL.  If you have a job lined up, I would move in a heartbeat.  Your girls are so young, I wouldn't give their daycare/preschool a second thought.  They're flexible and you'll find a great situation for them anywhere else.

    We loved NorCal, but moved soon after my first son was born as we had the opportunity for a higher quality of life elsewhere (easier to live on one income, larger house, etc.)

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  • bubbs147bubbs147

    We would definitely work to line up jobs before we even considered moving.  Florida is definitely in a bad place too, bad economy, etc.  But we wouldn't move without jobs.  DH is considering sending resumes out.  I guess I would have to dust off my resume (been at this job since I graduated college 10 years ago!) and send it out too.  From a quick look at craigslist, there are positions open in both of our fields.

    Thank you so much for the input.  My biggest concern would be keeping the girls happy.  And I know we would all miss everyone out here, but to be close to family again would be so amazing... 

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  • CelynCelyn member
    A friend of mine in Virginia just posted a listing for a beautiful old farmhouse, all renovated, on 2 acres for $139,000.  That's less than what we've lost on our house here.  I can't say I don't find it ridiculously tempting to move at the moment.
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  • lukafacelukaface
    If I were you, I would move in a heartbeat!  I oftentimes wish I wasn't raised here so that I didn't have any ties to California.  I love it here-but the cost of living is outrageous and when I think about how far our money would go somewhere else, it sometiems makes me sick. 
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  • MommySteph2009MommySteph2009

    It's a tough call, DH and I just moved from our families (from the Bay area to Sacramento), about 2 years ago.  We moved so we could afford to buy a house and raise our family.  It's not a cross country move by any means, but it was a start over process for us both.  We both had to find new jobs, make friends, etc.

    I think it's worth it if you are bettering the situation overall for your family.

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  • llamakinsllamakins
    All good points from previous posters. I would also look at long-term job market in that area of Florida for your specific jobs. You can make new friends and find great schools, but you want to have a place where you and your DH can continue to grow in your professions, beyond the offers you might get short-term.
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