best age to move?

If you were going to move to a different town.. when would an 'ideal' time be for a child of school age?

I don't mean time of year, but what age range/grade ?

Any insight or btdt?

best age to move?

I think all of it would be an adjustment. When I was growing up - we moved when I was just out of 2nd grade, then again in the middle of the school year at 7th grade. It all stinks, but most kids are resilient and will adjust. It's certainly easier to move during the summer though.

Re: best age to move?

I would say elementary school. I moved to a new town/school going into 3rd grade, eventually I adjusted and made new friends.

Re: best age to move?

Once they start school, I'd say the sooner the better.

Re: best age to move?

We moved before Kindergarten. We actually relocated OOS but had always planned to sell our house and move somewhere else on LI prior to our DS1 starting kindergarten. We thought that that would result in the least disruption especially since his nursery school was in a different town anyway. Worked out great for us. My son was 4.5 when we relocated and he adjusted wonderfully! We had no issues.

Re: best age to move?

Re: best age to move?

The earlier the better.

best age to move?

I move before K 3rd grade and 4 th grade. I adjusted to all. My dis was older and had the hardest time with the last move. She was in Jr high.

My mom always made sure we finished out the school year wherever we were. I think that helped.

best age to move?

our DC aren't in school yet and I would move tomorrow if I could but thats not an option for us. We plan to move, the latest, in 4 yrs. My oldest DC will be going into 3rd.
I moved around a lot in my early childhood. K, no real adjustment needed but I remember it vividly. 2nd grade, it wasn't that big of a deal. 3rd, was a bit strained and I remember not really having many friends. Then again, and thankfully the last time in 4th grade and that was a nightmare. I really didn't make friends well into the following year in 5th grade. I told my DH if we have to wait the complete 4 yrs, we have to be 100000 % on where we are going b/c I will never do to my DC what was done to me as a kid.

Re: best age to move?

It depends upon the kid. Some are more resilient than others. I would say pre k, k, first, and second are all fine. After second grade I think it is much more difficult, especially for girls.

Re: best age to move?

I think the earlier the better, but kids usually adjust. I'd try to move at the end of a school year, so at least they're starting the grade with the others.

This actually stresses me out b/c DS starts Kindergarten in 2 years and so I'm thinking we need to move sooner than later b/c I don't want to stay in our house.

Re: best age to move?

Before K ideal.

Re: best age to move?

I was so grateful we moved OOS before either kiddo started school. But def before 2nd grade. Jmo

best age to move?

I was in 3rd grade when we moved from queens to LI. I adjusted pretty well but it was definitely a shell shock. I was used to classrooms with 35 kids, a school yard with no playground and trailers with extra classrooms, extracurriculars were in separate rooms instead of coming to the classroom, the gym was separate from the cafeteria, and lunch was before recess. I was so confused lol.

Re: best age to move?

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I moved when i was in 3rd grade and 9th grade and both were pretty tough on me, but i had other circumstances as well.

My DH and I are trying to decide if we will stay in our current home (which we LOVE, but aren't 100% happy with our town), or if we will move.
Our DS just started kindergarten, so we'd need to do this sooner rather than later i'm guessing

Re: best age to move?

I would say before 3rd grade would be optimal but life happens. I moved many times as a child and it helped me later as an adult to adapt to change easily and meet new people comfortably. Its really more about the child's personality.

Re: best age to move?

We are moving now (closing in two weeks) My oldest DS just started 1st grade and he seems to have had a pretty easy time transitioning. He made friends in kindergarten but at this age there are no real cliques or groups yet. From what he says he already has friends and all the kids in his class have been very friendly. So I guess I would say the sooner the better if your child is in K right now.

Re: best age to move?

Re: best age to move?

I moved when I was 10, right before 5th grade started. I was annoyed as any kid would be but I adjusted and did fine in school both academically and making friends.

ETA - Any time before JHS is fine. Because multiple elementary schools funnel into one JHS it's an adjustment for every kid with lots of new friends to be made for everyone. I think it's easier to blend in as someone who has relocated.

Message edited 9/11/2016 6:08:56 PM.

best age to move?

I'd say before elementary school if possible if not then definite prior to middle school. I moved during high school and it was awful

Re: best age to move?

K. Or I guess as early as possible.

I almost moved back to the city before DS entered K but now that he is entrenched in the school I won't consider it until they are out of the school district. I'm actually thinking of moving within my town but will only look in their elementary zone.