Need advice: Boston or DFW (Houston, Plano: insurance, house, find a job)

[RoeTheRoamer]

We currently live in Boston area, Quincy precisely. Have a pending offer working in Plano. According to the comparison of cost of living, my income in Plano will probably have more stretch, but not much. Wife is a nurse, need to find a job in the area if we decide to move. The expected total income in Plano will be around $160k. We plan to buy a house regardless moving or not.



We have three kids in grade school (the oldest kid will go to high school next year). They currently play club soccer and ice hockey.


Wife strongly wanted to move because of the cold & long winter in northeast and because the public schools in Quincy is not as good as in Plano/Frisco, at least from the scores on websites such as greatschools.com. The kids strongly oppose the idea of moving of course. I am hesitating because of the hot summer in Texas, as well as the disruption of kids' school and sports.


What would you suggest?



Thanks in advance for the advice.

[calgirlinnc]

You will be able to buy a much nicer house here than in Boston for the same price.

Do you want to deal with snow and ice or hot summers?

Have you visited here?

Where is your extended family?

Which job offers you a better situation in 5 years?

Have you or your wife ever lived anywhere else?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Plano has outstanding public schools at all levels.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by calgirlinnc

You will be able to buy a much nicer house here than in Boston for the same price.

Do you want to deal with snow and ice or hot summers?

Have you visited here?

Where is your extended family?

Which job offers you a better situation in 5 years?

Have you or your wife ever lived anywhere else?

Price per square foot in Greater Boston is still a lot more than in Plano/Frisco. Schools in Plano are much better than Quincy. Your kids will be getting a Newton or Lexington level education for a metro west/central mass housing price. The only concern would be weather or not there are hockey programs available. As a MA transplant, the heat is much easier to take than months of cold and snow. The only drawback is the property tax rate. You’re paying roughly 2.5 - 3 percent of your assessed value every year. Remember there are lots of viable communities in North Texas. Not everyone has to live in West Plano.

[C24L]

I would move to DFW

[RoeTheRoamer]

Thanks everyone for the input.



We don't have extended family in the States. Career wise, I am not 100% sure which area is better. I am in data analytics and predictive modeling field. Currently I am in insurance industry and would be in finance if I decide to move.



We had lived in the west coast for a few years and the kids like outdoor activities, if that is a factor.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

Price per square foot in Greater Boston is still a lot more than in Plano/Frisco. Schools in Plano are much better than Quincy. Your kids will be getting a Newton or Lexington level education for a metro west/central mass housing price. The only concern would be weather or not there are hockey programs available. As a MA transplant, the heat is much easier to take than months of cold and snow. The only drawback is the property tax rate. You’re paying roughly 2.5 - 3 percent of your assessed value every year. Remember there are lots of viable communities in North Texas. Not everyone has to live in West Plano.

DFW has had legit Jr. hockey for a good while. Seth Jones, Tyler Myers - more of a Houston kid, Blake Coleman, Nic Kerdiles and Stefan Noesen all play in the NHL now. Jones and Myers are legit stars. Coleman is carving out a strong career. Stefan Noesen has found a home in New Jersey.......he and my son began playing hockey at the old Ice Bound in Plano ~20 years ago. They were teammates for three years and opponents for several more. Stefan was on the Ice Jets club team that won a legit National Championship in '06 (or so). As a little kid Stefan used to cry because his parents would not allow him to play goalie.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by RoeTheRoamer

Thanks everyone for the input.



We don't have extended family in the States. Career wise, I am not 100% sure which area is better. I am in data analytics and predictive modeling field. Currently I am in insurance industry and would be in finance if I decide to move.



We had lived in the west coast for a few years and the kids like outdoor activities, if that is a factor.

It is absolutely a factor. DFW is an incredibly underwhelming - dare I say lousy - place to live if you're into outdoor recreation.

[RJ312]

Stay in Boston. Uprooting children is majorly traumatic.

[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

It is absolutely a factor. DFW is an incredibly underwhelming - dare I say lousy - place to live if you're into outdoor recreation.

This - you will spend probably 6 to 7 months out of the year inside to avoid the bad weather.