Switching Schools MidYear (Atlanta, Jersey, Weston: for sale, real estate, insurance)

[elanmom]

We are going to be relocating shortly and I would like to know if there is anyone out there who has had to move their children mid school year. I think this is what is terrifying me the most! My kids are 11, sixth grade, and 7, second grade. I am more concerned about the 11 year old, as she has been in the same school since kindergarten and is a quiet child.
Also...I have heard East Cobb schools are very good. Would like to hear from anyone that has kids in East Cobb schools and any helpful tips you can give me. Thanks!

[kaday]

Hi Elanom,

We are in the same boat! (I'm also looking at East Cobb for the schools).

My kids are a bit youger than yours but we have moved many times due to my husbands job. Many of our friends move every 2 years, almost all with school age kids. I have to say it really depends on the personality of your child more than anything. My oldest (7) is very sensitive and quiet and moving has been very difficult for her. She does adjust eventually but it is a long and painful transition. My younger child is extremely outgoing and very adaptable. The good news is they do all eventually adapt. For some it is longer. Somethings to consider, I have found temporary housing to be very hard on kids. Try to avoid that at all costs. Go from one home to the next even if you have to tolerate living through a remodel or painting job. Also we wait until the last possble moment to tell our kids. Otherwise they worry and stress about it longer than they need to. We tell them when the for sale sign goes up or in some cases we have had the real estate company not put up a sign. We always chose a home in a neighborhood chock full of kids. Then it is possible to meet a few before school starts. We have on occasion brought our kids along on a house hunt so they can get excited about a new home...we'll show them nearby parks and things like that.

This time we are moving from Massachusetts. I'm looking forward to milder winters! Good luck!

[elanmom]

thank you Kaday for your reply. Your thoughts are on right on par with mine. We dont want any kind of temporary situation, we want to settle right in for the kids' sake (we have a 7 year old too). Also keeping it quiet till the last minute. (they know we are moving and selling the house, but no specific details as to when) I have heard wonderful things about East Cobb schools, had a friend who's child was in them, and she was sorry to have to move away due to job change. My girls are in a private school right now with only 2 classes per grade, and I see the size of the schools are much larger. I worry about that being overwhelming...but I went to large city public schools and in some ways I suppose it could be a good thing. Any thoughts?
We too are looking forward to a warmer climate, we are coming from NJ, originally from NY, and have talked about doing this for years, but now its really here...where are you moving to? We are still considering Gwinnett as well.
When are you moving?
You can reply in a private message and maybe share some more tips?

Thanks!

Elanmom

[trelane]

We're doing the same thing, relocating from South Florida. We considered all the ramifications (temporary housing, dad relocating ahead of the family, etc), and while moving during the holiday break to give the kids the best shot at adjusting was the most expensive, we opted for it.

We are purchasing an East Cobb home, and have not yet sold ours. Our kids are grades 6 and 9, so I don't have advice on elementary schools. However, we looked intensively in the Walton and Pope HS districts and found a nice home in the Pope area. Walton is the better school according to the stats, but we found less bang for the housing buck.

All of the schools we interviewed told us they have extensive experience with kids tranferring in and out mid-year, and that the kids do alright.

My suggestion is to contact a couple of the schools and speak with the guidance office. They have a wealth of information.

Good luck!

[kaday]

We should all get together for coffee when we settle in!

[elanmom]

Sounds like a plan, Kaday!

I feel better already knowing there are people doing similar to what we are doing. Sometimes I get the feeling people think we are crazy (moving mid year, moving when our kids seem to have "roots" down. )But we really think the lifestyle change will be good.
anyway...
in regards to your post, Trelane,
Florida was our ORIGINAL relocation destination! What part are you from?
We found after my husband spending a lot of time down there that prices were higher, as was insurance, taxes, etc. and finding a job seemed very challenging. We were looking in Central Florida on the East Coast, Port Orange.
A friend that lived in East Cobb recommended Walton, and Dickerson, but we are certainly open to others as long as they are good. Interviewing the schools sounds like a good idea. My kids are in 2nd and 6th grade.
Keep in touch.
OUr house is about sold. We're keeping our fingers crossed there are no glitches.
Elanmom

[kaday]

Elanmom,

You are so lucky on your house sale. We aren't even on the market yet (what's the point this time in the season). Tonight we realized my spouse will be starting work in early January and we have to find him temporary housing. I'll be here just me and my girls until we can sell this place! Yikes ...it is happening too fast!

[elanmom]

YOu know how it goes with a sale, it "ain't over till its over".
We haven't closed, and have run into a few glitches, but are hoping to be "ok" and closing within a month!
We really just got lucky and never even listed...this person just happened to be looking in our area, and found out we were selling.
The rest is history...
Hope to see ya down in Ga.!

[trelane]

Elanmom,

We live in Weston, a Ft. Lauderdale suburb. Moved here from Long Island NY ten years ago, when I lost my job, my wife was in danger of losing hers, and we decided we just didn't want to live the NY lifestyle any longer.

We love So. Fla. as its called, but think Atlanta will be a real opportunity.

Good luck on the house sale!

[elanmom]

Where were you on LI? We are from LI, my husband, originally from Bellmore, me from Queens, then Levittown. we lived in valley stream, and Atlantic Beach on LI before Jersey. Now to Ga.! We seriously considered Florida but ruled it out because of taxes, jobs, home prices increasing etc.
Has it gotten very expensive and overbuilt where you are in Weston? did you ajust to the weather there quickly when you moved down?
we just decided overall that Atlanta would be a safer move for us.
Will miss NYC and the family on LI though, but that is life.
You can reply in a private message if you like.
would love to hear more about Fla/Ga./LI
Thanks!
Elanmom