Moving from West Coast to East Coast

Make sure you have your job lined up before moving. Don't count on the jobs necessarily being there. THAT would be the main concern.

As far as your kids are concerned, kids adjust. Especially ones that are that young. 1st grade and preschool? They're JUST starting their schooling. They will make new friends and they will adjust to their new schools. This would actually be the least of my worries.

We moved from Denver, CO to the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA when the kids were going into 6th (yeah, we moved our Autistic son to a new school for his first year of middle school), 3rd (our daughter left behind her best friend) and 2nd (again, lots of friends left behind). We moved from our beloved house we'd built to a rental (which was still nice, but didn't compare to OUR home). We chose to move to be closer to family, but we made sure my husband had a stable job first. We've been here now for over 5 years and absolutely love it. We've bought and remodeled a new home, kids have more friends than they can count, *I* have more friends than I can count, husband's job is great and he LOVES it, life is really, really good right now. Every once in a while, we ask the kids if we should move back to Denver. Every time, they say "no way!". We loved, *LOVED* Denver, but THIS is our home now.

Guess how long it took the kids to get used to their new home, new schools and make new friends. Took about a week. A WEEK. Kids adjust amazingly well. Make finding a job the priority if you truly want to move.

We are a military family, so we move...a lot. Go for it! Your kids will adjust. Plus, they'll love being closer to family.

I would be a little concerned about jobs. Could you or hubby go ahead to VA and start the job hunt? I think it will make for an easier transition if one of you gets a job before the rest of the family moves out.

A. - I moved from California to Belgium. We drove across the country and dropped our car off at the base depot for shipping. My daughter was 4 when we moved.

There was a mom on here who lives in Richmond. What is it about Richmond you like?

Unless you are independently wealthy, I would NOT move across country unless I had a job lined up. You can rent a place to live, but I would NOT move without a job.

We were excited about our move. If you are excited, the kids USUALLY pick up your lead. If you are hesitant or nervous? They will sense that and play into it.

I sent a message to my girlfriend who lives in Richmond and has her whole life. I will copy and paste her answer here!!

Have at least one job!

We've made numerous moves over the years & kiddos adjust easily, especially when they are that young. The only thing I suggest is making sure you have jobs lined up. As much as I'm good with moving & actually enjoy it, I would not go anywhere without a job offer (unless of course we were independently wealthy). It's imperative to know that you have a way to support your family or the stress of the move will just be compounded with the stress of having to find a job(s).
Hope you guys find what works best for you!

I am sorry but the impact on the kids is the least of your worries. You say "I think the jobs will come". Really? How do you know? Do you know the job market? What is your skill set? Your husband's skill set? I think you and your husband need to think more seriously about the job prospect than the affect on the kids. Have you reached out to any placement companies? Or any companies? I would NEVER move without a job. Just wouldn't do it. I'm not willing to gamble with my families future on a maybe.

We have moved a lot. Growing up and married. We moved back to Houston when our daughter was 17 and a junior in High School. Our son was 13 and in 7th grade. THAT was crazy!! But my husband's job moved to Houston so we did too. So I think your 1st grader will be just fine. Kids are agile and recover so quickly. They will be okay.

Good luck!!! I look at moving as a new beginning and a new adventure! I actually LOVE to move!!! I'm strange.

Start sending out applications now and see if hubby can get some interviews. Set them up for similar days if at all possible. If he gets a job offer he needs to seriously consider it. He can stay with family while you stay at home and keep kids in school and get the house ready to sell.

Start getting rid of stuff and get boxes then start packing up stuff that you don't need. If you have a garage you can put a bunch in there.

I think if you're serious about the move then talk to family. Ask them how they'd feel if all of you just showed up and stayed with them until you got back on your feet (sell your house so you can get another one).

Get the job lined up first then move.

Kids are resilient. Go. They will benefit from being close to family.

I did that move (Sacramento to Maryland actually, but I was born and raised in the Bay Area before ending up in Sac).

The distance isn't an issue on little kids really, if it's too far to see their old friends there is no difference between 100 miles and 3000 miles. But culturally it's different out here. Depending on how at home you feel out there, just be prepared to adjust. Behavioral norms are different. Things are just generally more formal. etc

We're four years in, though, and things are good. I did have a job lined up before I moved. That would scare me, but if you feel confident more power too you. I didn't LIKE the job when I got here, and almost immediately started looking for something else, but I was glad to be continuously employed.

Having family close by is always a help. Your kids will adapt.