SPR: If you lived on LI/NYC and then moved OOS...

can you give me an idea of the steps you took to make it happen?

We live on LI and have a 17 month old DS. I have been wanting to move for a while now, DH not so much. But, we recently returned from a trip to Florida where family members have a lakehouse and DH loved it. My DS loved it so much, he was 10 times happier than I've seen him at home. I would really welcome a change of pace and scenery, I've lived on LI/Manhattan my entire life. Given the cost of living here, this is starting to make less sense.

So, DH called me today and told me that I really have him thinking about a move. I/We figure we'd move in about 2 years. My parents (dad retired) want to leave NY too and told me before they'd moved wherever we went so I know they'd be around and as involved with DS. We have an idea of the area we'd like to live in too.

So, how did you prepare for such a big move? How did you go about looking for work (that will be hard for DH, he's in finance at a Wall St firm)? How did you handle buying/selling your home? How far in advance did you start really thinking about it and working on it?

TIA.

Re: SPR: If you lived on LI/NYC and then moved OOS...

Wow you’re asking a lot

I always wanted to move back to Texas, but yes I got comfy in Long Island. People, places, job etc.

I TRULY and strongly believe if you WANT something you need to act like it’s a foregone conclusion. Everything is just leading up to that change. So I said I wanted to move about 6m preggo. I found the job online end of March, applied in April, interviewed the 5th of May, got the offer May 15th, Moved into San Antonio June 10th and at work by June 15th.

To move I looked for a job first. Once a truly GOOD opportunity arose, I made sure my license (insurance) was updated to be able to move to Texas. I took a transfer in office to a much smaller branch here in San Antonio. I knew it would be a pay cut but I looked at a million cost calculators and even found some actual state reports showing median pay for my job type. With this information I kept myself limited to that. I knew we’d survive if my hubby wasn’t working (I make more) but only for so long.

I consolidated all my bills to one payment with a loan. I managed all our bills to know if I paid everyone minimums (which I don’t normally) what liquid funds would we have. I factored in tax (lack of) for Texas and cost of living, food goes down, insurance went up. Found a number I could live with. I planned that we’d all live with my aunt for at LEAST 30-45 days to put ourselves straight. Instead I got an apt before I even arrived.

Still I stayed with her 3weeks with AJ. Jim stayed in NY and continued to work another full month. He moved out of our apt and moved in with his brother so we’d have no rent there or here in Texas. We gave as much notice as we could to our current landlord in NY.

Even before Jim got to Texas we had started job hunting. I needed him to have SOMETHING to supplement my income. He’s in Financial Advisor world. He found something oddly enough with the SAME company (different owner / they all are individually owned but run through corporate) for the SAME position here in Texas. So he was working in about a month.

We didn’t buy anything we didn’t absolutely need, all money was tightly held onto like it was the last we’d ever see of it.

Basically.. it’s the same idea of “I can never afford a child” You will FIND a way. If you really want to move badly enough you will FIND a way.. May not be great for a year or so (I hated that apt) but it will work out. Now we just bought our house back in May. Our own home, something I could never do in NY and AJ is happy in her daycare and I’m happy with them (this is her 2nd daycare here). We buy lots of stuff off craigslist but she has a slide and a house out back she’s happy, healthy and doing well.

Yes, I miss my friends in NY
I don’t have a lot of close family here but my Aunt is becoming grandma to AJ
This was the BEST MOVE EVER

Its hard work but I feel the long run is very MUCH worth the short term suffering. Especially while AJ was young enough (even now) that its all just change for her. Kids adapt VERY easily this young. Older they get resentful and they have friends its hard to say goodbye too (I know I was military brat who moved a lot)

ETA: looking for a job part: network, network, network. Jim found his by putting it out there he was moving, and a client of one of his clients had a contact in San Antonio who put him in touch with the guy who ended up hiring him. It was convoluted as heck. I also made sure he kept his ear to the ground (as it were) for any position in his industry. I did the same when I was looking. The transfer for me was just a fluke of luck! Sooner or later I’d have found a fit and moved.

Message edited 3/30/2011 1:07:21 PM.

Re: SPR: If you lived on LI/NYC and then moved OOS...

Several people we know moved OOS. It usually happens pretty quickly. I'd say within a year they put up their home for sale, look for jobs, and move. You just basically have to pull the trigger.

When it comes to selling, if you price it to sell, it will sell. That often seems to be the lagging piece. One friend we know didn't want to drop the price of his home and he has been paying mortgage for an empty house for almost a year. He totally regrets not selling it before they moved. At the same time, our next door neighbor sold their place for probably 10% lower than they wanted to but they didn't want to deal with the hassle of moving and dealing with owning a home in another state.

We are probably moving OOS. DH is finalizing details of his job. We will look for housing next month and hopefully be moving this summer. We currently rent so selling our home is a non-issue.

Re: SPR: If you lived on LI/NYC and then moved OOS...

bumping for the night time crew