To Move or Not to Move... - Omaha,NE

That is quite a dilemma! Good luck with the decision, I hope you make the right choice for your family. I was also thinking along the lines of having your husband rent a cheap apartment (or find a roommate, or room to rent?) in the city for a trail basis. At least for a few months to see how the new job goes and to give you both time to figure out the next steps. I actually know 2 families that are doing the same thing right now due to the housing market & other factors. Not the ideal solution, with only seeing him on the weekends, but it sounds like there might be no perfect solution to your issue right now. Good luck!

Many have said to move and rent your house.. Why not consider having your husband rent a small apartment at the new location? If it is only 2 hours away, he could come home on the weekend. This would buy you both time to get your current house ready for the spring market, give you time to build up some reserves (monetarily and experience/longevity) from your current job, and also give your husband time to get acquainted with new area to determine it is right fit. Likewise, you could then come down on weekends as well.

There are many rental options available, I would think you could find something inexpensive with a short-term (6 months to 12 month lease option).

Good luck

Rent out your house, get a temporary place in between your job and his job so that you each have a commute of about an hour. That way you don't have to give up anything immediately, and you will be able to see how his new job will go, etc. You will also get tax deductions from the rental of your house.

If he's your family's main income, then I would base the decision on what would be best for his career. If you can't pay your family expenses with your salary, then his job security is most important. No job is "secure" these days, but it sounds like you are able to compare the two company's financial results and prospects and it seems clear that the new company is more stable.

I have worked as a consultant for an Outplacement company, working to help people who have been laid of by companies find new work, for the past 21/2 years and seen so many people out of work and unable to pay their mortgages, etc. I would not let a house stop you (could rent it as other responder suggested).

I think you and he should make the move. I say this because if he believes his job is at risk then that's all the more reason to move for a better offer. You can make new friends. Does the new job offer relocation cost? If so that will be a big help to yall. You could rent your home and use the income to hold you over til you find a job. It sounds like he makes the bigger amount and without his income it will be tight for yall to make it. Again I say go for it. I completely understand your fears...my husband and I just made a big move like that. I have no family, friends or job currently in our new state, but we are very happy and the company he works for is awesome. Step out on faith.

The housing situation is not great right now. There are some great deals for buying since there are so many for sale but it's hard to sell what you already have. Another possibility not mentioned so far - can your husband commute to his new job? 2 hrs out and back is long, but I know a few who have longer commutes. Big changes in fuel prices can be a problem. How about your husband have a very small apartment (or a room) for the work week and come home on weekends? I know people who do that, too.
It's hard, but a lot of the time you just have to go where the jobs are.

I would also recommend to move. A method my cousins used was to rent out their house in Mesa, AZ and moved to Colorado where he got his job and rented a home there while he looked to purchase a new home and eventually sell his old one; of course this is assuming that Omaha has a good market for renting. Take this only as advice and not as your decision as you and your husband should come to angreement together on this.

i was thinking along the same lines as some of the others. have your husband get a apartment and then he can come home on the weekends. at least until he is sure he will enjoy the job and that he is not going to possibly loose his job. or you could rent out your current place in a few months and move to the same town as him.

My immediate answer is move. You can make new friends, find a new job (for you) and make your new house a home. I like the idea of renting out your current house too, even if all the rent does is cover the mortgage.

If I was in your situation I'd tell my husband to say yes. Then (at least at first) he could either commute (I know, I know) or move there on his own temporarily. A good, stable job is hard to come by these days and I just think you might regret passing this one up.

Good luck with your decision :)

Can you survive on his income alone if you move? If yes, then ask yourself will that make you happy.......you will have the time to foster new relationships in the new town.

On the other hand.......

How hard will it be to sell your home? Will you lose a lot on that? If so, ask yourself........what is the worse that can happen if we stay?

You lose your house and have to move to an apartment? Although not ideal it's still a viable option. It sounds to me like you really really don't want to move. Does your husband feel the same way? Will he resent you if you stay and the worst happens?

Explore your emotions. If you and your husband are on the the same team it doesn't really matter what happens financially. You will duke it out together. Do your best to be in whatever you decide together.

My husband and I have been talking about a similar situation that we are faced with. We had to move from our last house rather quickely, bought a house in our current location before our other house was sole. It took a year to sell it and we ended up taking out a loan for $10,000 to pay for the difference of when the house sold. It wouldn't have been as bad had we moved to a less expensive house- we would have still had to take out the loan- but we would have more money a month to pay it off.
If you do move- make sure you find a great Realtor- one who is excited about selling your house, and have the back up plan of renting if it doesn't sell in a number of months. If you can stay there while your husband works for a couple of months to try and sell it- that would help. And he would have a chance to look around and find a good neighborhood to live in. But DON'T BUY until your other house is sold!!!!!! Please don't make that mistake!
You also have to take into consideration if this move is financially worth it- Are they giving him the raise that he needs to move his family? or is it going to be just as tight making ends meet there as it is where you are at?
If you both feel good about the move though and the only thing holding you back is the house- see what assistance they are willing to offer for you to help you out with it. Our company paid the mortgage for the lower of the two while we were trying to sell our house. Other companies will help sell your house or they will buy it for you. See what they are willing to do to help you out. If this is your only concern and they really want your husband out there- they will work with you!
Good luck!
~C.

Sounds like you have considered everything. Is it possible to rent your home as is? There are many renters out there right now, and you can even lease to own a home there if he takes it until you can find a permanent place to settle.

Sometimes, you have to go with what will be best for the family in the long run. Not many great jobs happen that often. Also, 2 hours isn't that big of a drive to go to visit family and friends. We just moved 7 hours away from everyone we know, but we still manage to visit, or they come visit us about once a month.

I wonder also if you would be able to find a great job for your career in the new place as well?

if you are all the prying sort, I would quiet your thoughts, clear your heads and pray together and see if you have a good feeling about a particular choice. It always helps us. The one time we did a great move in an opportunity, we had a bad feeling about it, but we did it anyways because we were desperate. My husband ended up getting laid off only after 6 months and it was very difficult for us.

Good luck whatever you decide!

We are currently in a similar situation...my husband was suspicious things were not going well at work, but we didn't do anything about it. One day he came home and he had been laid off. We had no choice, but to take the first good opportunity that came along, which was 4 hours away. He works there and stays with family, and comes home on the weekends. It is hard not to have him here, but it was best for our family's situation and although we don't know when we will be living under one roof again, we know it is relatively short term. He will probably find some low-cost rental or something here in the near future, as you can only expect family to put you up for so long (and we have been doing this for 4 months now). I can't tell you what to do, but just wanted you to know that you are definitely not alone and that in this economy, I have heard of many families having to make these kinds of decisions. Good luck and remember to follow your gut!