I hope this is the right place for this, and that I can get some help and direction. I'll also try not to bore you with details. So DH and I have talked about moving to a nearby state, basically for a change. We've lived in two locations in Vermont all our lives, and are thinking now might be as good a time as any to make a move. He has applied for a different job in his big company, which would allow him to work solely from home. He has been told he's a shoe-in for the job, but we're waiting to hear if he got it for sure. That would allow us to move or not, basically. Pretty much same salary, too.

Financially, it would be maybe a little less expensive, definitely in property taxes. We're hoping to make enough on the sale of our house to pay off one vehicle and maybe dh's student loans. We live in a great community in Vermont. We have a daughter who will be going to Kindergarten in the fall, in one of the best, if not the best school districts in the state. We also found out recently that houses in our town are being reassessed and therefore retaxed. I talked to the assessor this am and our taxes will be going up dramatically starting this fall. I have no idea how we're going to afford to stay here.

I guess my question is where do all your proirities lie? Is staying in a fairly expensive house, where we're pretty much maxed out (and I watch 2 ft and one pt kids to make some fairly decent $), in a nice town, with great schoold worth it? The town we're looking at is one that also has excellent schools, and one where I have family and have grown up visiting, so it's a town we both really like and are familiar with. Would you say that schools are a top prioity of yours? Is house size? I'm trying to live much more frugally, and declutter, too! I'd be happy to downsize to a more "user friendly", well-layed out house. I know the decision is ultimately what's right for our family and everything else considered, and there's so much to think about. I'm looking for a little direction or advice on something maybe I'm not thinking about....Thanks in Advance!

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~Jenn~

Schools are important, don't get me wrong, but if DH and I wanted to move, we wouldn't stay for the school system. There are good schools everywhere, and I also think with some places, the parents involvement plays a big role.

That being said, I also wouldn't knowingly move into a town where the school was less than stellar. So do some homework and maybe find a new location where the schools are good, and taxes are lower? With awesome schools you usually do get higher taxes though.. they just go hand in hand.

Schools are important. However, you get what you put into it and school districts can change (not drastically but they can). Also, is family near by important to you? We live near my parents who do not drop by unannounced and give us our privacy but help out alot when we need it (especially with babysitiing). So living near my family is important. However, if we lived near my in-laws it would be horrible because they would not be respectful of us. So think about that as well.

Another thought would you need to work in the new area? If you do daycare how will you get new clients? Will the new town taxes go up? Usually once a year properities are re-assessed and taxes go up.

Just a few thoughts to think about.

I just faced the same question with dh and his job, and we decided to go for it and move. The wide world is full of interesting places, and although it's hard to leave what you are familiar with, maybe you are feeling ready for a new adventure. The school situation can be researched, and also remember- just because a school system is rated as wonderful- that doesn't always mean it will be wonderful for your child. All kids are different.

I have lived all over the country- coast to coast- and have fond memories of friends and beautiful places in each place. Sometimes change is a good thing.

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

Schools are definitely important, but not a good reason to put a large strain on your family. Research schools in the area you are wanting to move to and find the best one there.

If you would be better off financially then I would say go for the move, but research it thoroughly.

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

MY BLOG!

This is a tough one. My dh and I are looking to sell our house to move to a more affordable area too. For us, more affordable may be an apartment (fine by me!).

Are there charter schools in VT? Here in MI we have charter schools that are public schools with private school curriculums (they're also pretty competitive). That may be an option if you're unhappy with the schools in the new area?

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Schools are important, but remember you also have to parent your child, the best schools still have dropouts and kids who dont do well.
I would go for it, let your husband apply for jobs in other areas, and see how it goes God will lead you in the right direction and all will be for the best.
Sometimes less stress in life is the best medecine too.

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We buy things we dont need,
with money we dont have,
in order to impress people
we dont like?
(Ramsey, D)

The town where we live has excellent schools. Let me emphasize that: these schools are national award-winning, superior schools. Do you know where DD goes to school? In a neighboring school district. Why? Because our excellent schools are a victim of their own success. They are over-crowded.

As great as our local schools are, I am 100% convinced that the school that DD attends is even better. So much for a school district's reputation.

There are thousands of families who have been priced out of an area. When housing prices start to skyrocket, other expenses tend to follow suit. For instance, when we lived in the SF Bay Area we paid incredibly high gasoline prices. When the Attorney General asked the oil companies why they were charging more in our area, the reply was, "Because they can afford it." And high-priced neighborhoods also tend to accompany high-priced expectations. We have friends back in the Bay Area who gave their 8-yr old DD a spa-package birthday party for her and 5 of her friends - to the tune of $50 per child. What are they going to do for that kid's 12th birthday party? Her 16th?

We're sort of in the same situation as you. My husband's job demands that he travels frequently so his only requirement is that he be near a decent airport. My attitude is we should take advantage of that flexibility and give DD the experience of living in different areas of the country. However, I don't move just to move. I want to also give her some stability. And I wouldn't move JUST to take the equity out of my house to pay off bills although, combined with downsizing, that is quite appealling.

The crux of the decision is knowing that IF the move doesn't work out, you probably couldn't afford to move back. Can you live with that?

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."