Single mom of 3 babies...Should I move from Houston to Atlanta??? (Roswell: rent, day care)

[pdlgarza]

I'm a single mom of three toddlers. I have a potential job opportunity in Atlanta that pays fairly well...I think. I'm not sure what good pay for a single mom of 3 is in Atlanta, but I think they're gonna offer 90k. My biggest concern is safety. Is Atlanta safe? Are there nice, safe, family oriented neighborhoods close to buckhead? It seems like the housing market is pretty attainable. The weather really doesn't scare me since I am currently living in the arm pit of Texas. One of the negative for me is that I don't know a single soul in Atlanta. Thoughts?

[BobKovacs]

At 90k/year, you can likely afford a very nice home is some of the safe, better areas of the metro . My only concern would be the cost of daycare, and the fact that if one of the kids is sick and you can't send them to daycare (that never happens with 3 toddlers, right? lol), you're going to be missing work. Now, finding something close to Buckhead will be a different story altogether, unless you consider a 45 minute commute "close". I'm assuming you're asking because the job offer is in Buckhead?

[j0ja]

90K for a single parent with 3 small children living in Atlanta is not bad: it is an above average wage range for 1 working person. Many here make less than that, even if both parents are working. You will be able to find an affordable house in a decent neighborhood assuming you want to purchase a house. If I were you I might rent first to see how I would like it if I were new to the area. I would look in the Roswell area towards Alpharetta if I worked in Buckhead, it isn't that far away relative for Atlanta and you can find things easily in your price range.

Bob mentioned in his post the daycare costs: that will be a big one for you, for sure. It will easily cost you in the range of $100-$170 per child per week at a day care center in most areas of this city. Even with a sibling discount that adds up fast.

[atlantagreg30127]

I hate to also bring this up, but as I'm known for my bluntness...

As Bob touched on, daycares here will not keep a sick child. With THREE toddlers, your odds of one of them or the other being sick is pretty good, so you're talking about frequent days where you'd have to leave work to go pick them up when the daycare calls you and says, "Your child is sick - you need to come get them NOW".

Regardless of what the laws are or should be, the fact, is that not many employers in most sectors here put up with that long. I've worked for many companies that once a parent takes what they deem as "too much leave" for sick kids, they'll find some way of eliminating that person's job - even if they resort to using the excuse of "restructuring the department" or simple layoffs due to business, in order to avoid any run-ins with legals. Some companies won't even hire you off the bat if they know you're single with multiple kids, for this very reason... though they do it discreetly and not obviously, again, to avoid legal hassles.

I'm only bringing this up because you've stated that you're single and have three toddlers, and know no one here. If you're completely alone here and you don't have family and/or close friends locally who can assist you with your kids while you work full time, I just don't see how you could swing it unless this job you're being offered is from a place that has in-house daycare with isolation med rooms for kids when they're sick. That's RARE to find a company here with that.

If you have family/friends in Houston, you may wish to stay put at least until your kids get older. Family/friend support at this stage is worth more than anything at this stage, including a job with what seems like a high dollar figure in it.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I hate to also bring this up, but as I'm known for my bluntness...

As Bob touched on, daycares here will not keep a sick child. With THREE toddlers, your odds of one of them or the other being sick is pretty good, so you're talking about frequent days where you'd have to leave work to go pick them up when the daycare calls you and says, "Your child is sick - you need to come get them NOW".

Regardless of what the laws are or should be, the fact, is that not many employers in most sectors here put up with that long. I've worked for many companies that once a parent takes what they deem as "too much leave" for sick kids, they'll find some way of eliminating that person's job - even if they resort to using the excuse of "restructuring the department" or simple layoffs due to business, in order to avoid any run-ins with legals. Some companies won't even hire you off the bat if they know you're single with multiple kids, for this very reason... though they do it discreetly and not obviously, again, to avoid legal hassles.

I'm only bringing this up because you've stated that you're single and have three toddlers, and know no one here. If you're completely alone here and you don't have family and/or close friends locally who can assist you with your kids while you work full time, I just don't see how you could swing it unless this job you're being offered is from a place that has in-house daycare with isolation med rooms for kids when they're sick. That's RARE to find a company here with that.

If you have family/friends in Houston, you may wish to stay put at least until your kids get older. Family/friend support at this stage is worth more than anything at this stage, including a job with what seems like a high dollar figure in it.

I have to agree with the above. I am a single mom with one child and I could not imagine not having my mom helping me! However, another option would be to become a member of an online mommy group (ex. atlantamommas.com) and you will quickly meet wonderful mothers. Most are stay at home moms and will be a great support system. I am not sure if you are religious or not, but my church has been a great support system. Becoming a member of a church and meeting folks will also be a great support system. I moved here from another state without knowing anyone, but I did have my mom.

How about a nanny? I don't know much about this option but having a nanny might work out better then daycare.

Good luck and pm if you have any questions!

[genki]

I agree, a nanny or au pair would be the only way to make it work. I think that daycare here can be $800-1000 per month, per kid, which when you triple that, would pay for a nanny. If you have family support where you are, I would stay put for a little longer unless you can arrange a telecommute and a nanny. My humble opinion!

[RoslynHolcomb]

I only have one child and I'm not a single mom and I can't imagine being over here without any family support with three children. I don't have any family in Atlanta and it's very hard. I'm still at home now because I haven't found a job yet that would pay enough to justify the daycare expense. It would take more than half my salary. With three kids your $90k would be eaten up pretty quickly. I think I'd wait until at least one or more are in kindergarten. My son starts kindergarten next year, and with some luck I'll be able to find a job then.