Concidering Moving Towns, Need Help!

He needs to find a job before you pick up and move. It's hard on the kids to just hop around. Plus, without a job, he may not be able to easily get an apartment. Best to stay where you are currently living while he goes out to interview, even if that means driving somewhere else in his job search. (Best for you and the children to stay in the home.) Rather than looking for yourself (politics, etc), let your husband find where he can make a living. Then, after you end up there, you can find your niche.

I hope this is a little helpful.

Dawn

I would start by considering where he's most likely to find another job. Research which cities are seeing employment growth, especially in his field. Talk to recruiters in those towns or cities to get a sense of his prospects.

You didn't mention your professional background. Is your degree in political science or journalism? (Which path interests you most?) I would narrow down what you want to do next. If you're interested in government, you should aim to move to a state capital area for the best job prospects. If you want to do corporate writing, look for larger markets. The print journalism market is tough, so I wouldn't even go down that path.

Best of luck!

What is your husband's area of expertise? He can find a good head hunter and let THEM find the best opportunities for him.....

Hi A.,

I would look at these in this order.

1. Job markets in other areas that meet your family's needs as well as what they pay.

2. Cost of living in other areas as it relates to what the average pay in that area is i.e. housing, utilities, gasoline and so forth.

3. School in the areas of interest you have found by community...the differ widely by school district.

4. Crime rates, taxes, and such per area.

The first thing you will need is a job that pays enough that you can afford to live in the area. Then you will need a school system that works for your kids. Then you will need someplace where there are things to do so you can make friends, your kids can make friends and you don't grow bored.

The job and the pay in the area for that job is the biggest thing. My niece found this out the hard way. Her husband got promoted so they were moved from Ft. Worth TX to somewhat rural New York. It seemed great until they got there. She's a scrub tech and the pay in NY was a fraction of what it was in TX because the requirements to become one were lower in NY so they weren't compelled to pay as much. We are talking nearly half of what she had been making. The promotion and raise weren't enough to cover the pay loss she incurred. Then the housing was way more costly in NY, as well as utilities and fuel for their vehicles. They ended up paying more and making less. It was a nightmare. Add to that the fact that they moved to an area where there weren't a lot of interracial families in a mostly white community, it was hard to make friends. Not a good deal

Choose well, but don't be afraid to make change.

Good luck!

Lisa's dead on (from someone who has moved a LOT),.

Job market
Cost of living
Schools
Area Stats

I would also throw in
Weather
Culture
Hobbies
Point A to point B

But those are enjoyment things. HUGE and need to be looked at but not first.

Job + Cost of living are the BIGGEST. 40k in some areas is solid middle class living, with a house, cars, and a couple vacations. In our area, that's below the poverty line. We'd live better in Illinoise making 40k than in Seattle making 100k. What you can afford will determine the neighborhood, schools, and your basic way of life.

My list of secondary items has been hard learned. Doesn't matter if you make buku bucks, big house, best schools... If every time you walk outside you want to shoot yourself because it's muggy, dry, hot, cold, pouring, stinks, too loud, too quiet, too dark, too bright. Doesn't matter if you're super extroverted and social if the culture is reserved, or if you just want some privacy, and people just keep showing up at your door. Doesn't matter if you're only 5miles to work and it takes you 2 hours to get there, or 20 miles to work and it takes you 20 minutes. Doesn't matter if you're 5 minutes to AmTrak if the only train through comes at 3am. Doesn't matter if you have 2 cars when you never drive them because trains run every 6 minutes, and parking your cars cost more than the payment on your house. If you live to hunt, but live in an anti hunting area, or live to ski and there are no mountains, or love to see music and there are no nearby venues...

To find a GOOD place, all of the above need to be met. To find a great place, they need to be met for everyone.

Hi! You really need to stay still until someone has a job. Moving isn't cheap and you don't want to disrupt unemployment payments. Where do you want to go? Maine, Colorado, California, or a couple of towns away in Texas? I'm here in the suburbs of Boston, it's wicked expensive to live here. I have a rental house in the middle of nowhere in New York, it's cheap but unless you want to work on a farm, clean houses for one of the city people, or drive an hour + to work there isn't anything. Think seriously about where you want to be then start looking for work, real work, the kind you can stick with. My dh is always looking for someone, there are jobs out there. Get a pad and paper and both of you make a list of what you want then start researching! Good luck---

I guess I'm not undestanding what your question is. If you are wanting to move, then move. If nothing is holding you there, jobs are poor, you want more opportunity etc... and to top it off, your husband has no job, then go. Find an area with great schools for your kids, opportunities are more plentiful than your current area and start a new chaper in life, it's a healthy thing to do now an again.

The two cities I like best in TX are San Antonio and Houston....I do not live nor have ever lived in TX, but was married to a born TXan and his family was sort rich and not very tolerant of anyone that wasn't a TXan or very white. I'm sort of white, but never fit the bill.

If you have family that would be able to help out,go to them. If not, why not try a different state. I wish you all the very best.

I have family from many cities in Arkansas, and I have lived in Northern California since 1953....a very nice part of California. While travelling a couple of years ago to a family reunion, I also found Oklahoma to be a good place.

Being a transplanted Californian, I do prefer an earthquake to a huricane...but to each his own.

Blessings and safe keeping what ever you and your family decides.

I'd start with good schools first (that is what we did), then go by affordability within that area, and also check out the jobs available in that area. If it doesn't work out, then go to another top choice for schools, check affordability and jobs... if that area has openings, call, talk, apply, etc. and also look at houses in that area... you don't get hired for a while? Try outside of your field...

OR If you fall in love with an area (after a visit as well). Find a cheap place to rent and take any job that will take you and then work from there.

From my own personal experience, I will tell you that the DC Metropolitan area has not really been effected by the recession. We are doing very well compared to most of the country over here. There seems to always be SOME sort of job here, and there's certainly political and writing jobs here, too many if you ask me:) BUT there's major competition in those fields. It can be stressful here because things are fast-paced and rushed but if you pick the right neighborhood you can live around friendly people and go to a fantastic school. ...and in many fields, "advancing" is most certainly a possibility here.

BUT, I do not recommend this place if you are into a more relaxed environment. ...also, I'm sure several places fit what you are looking for. Do some research online, ask family, friends and acquaintances about their experiences. Good Luck