***PLEASE HELP - Should we relocate for Charlotte to Dallas? (Irving: transplants, real estate market)

[IL2NC2TX]

My husband and I are really battling with this. We wanted to test the waters with relocating to Dallas for no other reason than to leave some family drama and seek better career opportunities. We bought a house almost a year and a half ago - new and our area seems to be selling well.

I have a scheduled interview in Farmer's Branch, TX and Richardson, TX next week for a great job and now its hitting us that we really may be leaving. We are freaking out about the school districts (we have a 7 year old and a 10 month old) and daycares.

My husband is not working (SAHD) so we are also worried about that. He has a MBA and is very marketable so we know he can find something. Our fear is that we may not sell our house right away - the company has offered a sign on bonus but no relocation - our credit has some issues and we are by definition "cash" poor so paying out of our pockets would be tough. The family situation is definitely tough and we do need to leave but don't know any highlights of this area that would make us go to city where we know NO ONE.

Should we wait it out for another year? Is it easy to meet young couples in the area? I know these seem like silly questions but I must ask them.

Any advice is appreciated.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by IL2NC2TX

My husband and I are really battling with this. We wanted to test the waters with relocating to Dallas for no other reason than to leave some family drama and seek better career opportunities. We bought a house almost a year and a half ago - new and our area seems to be selling well.

I have a scheduled interview in Farmer's Branch, TX and Richardson, TX next week for a great job and now its hitting us that we really may be leaving. We are freaking out about the school districts (we have a 7 year old and a 10 month old) and daycares.

My husband is not working (SAHD) so we are also worried about that. He has a MBA and is very marketable so we know he can find something. Our fear is that we may not sell our house right away - the company has offered a sign on bonus but no relocation - our credit has some issues and we are by definition "cash" poor so paying out of our pockets would be tough. The family situation is definitely tough and we do need to leave but don't know any highlights of this area that would make us go to city where we know NO ONE.

Should we wait it out for another year? Is it easy to meet young couples in the area? I know these seem like silly questions but I must ask them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Just in reading between the lines, I might suggest that you delay your move. You seem uncertain about doing it, and it's hard enough to relocate when you are sure you do want to do it.

Family drama? I've been through my share of that, but moving away didn't necessarily end it for me. Of course, my situation was pretty unique. Perhaps there are some other ways you can deal with your family issues?

With credit issues, and shortage of cash issues, making a move is even more difficult. Perhaps the next step would be to repair that before anything else?

You might as well proceed with your interview, though. It is good experience, and the opportunity that presents itself might just sway your decision. Potentially, if your prospective employer likes you enough, they migh help with relocation.

The DFW metro is much larger than Charlotte, and it would have whatever you're looking for in terms of schools, neighborhoods, etc. The people are reasonably friendly, and everyone on this forum would be very willing to help you with advice. I wish you good luck, whatever you decide.

[Grainraiser]

The issue I would have would center around being able to sell your current home. Nothing worse than having two mortgages breathing down your back. As simple as it sounds you and hubby may want to sit down and make a pro's and con's list. Some times the answer is lot easier than you thought it would be. Goodluck on whatever you decide.

[CLT]

I just moved to Irving(Valley Ranch) from Charlotte a few weeks ago, and I would recommend the Dallas area!!! From your ID, i'll assume you're from Illinois...FWTW...I grew up in northern IL. The residents here are friendlier than the Charlotte transplants. Most of the charlotte transplants are your stereotypical Northeastener. I have found that most Texans have similar midwestern values. The infrastructure here is much better than Charlotte, Dallas has more people and overall less traffic. The crime in Charlotte is worse, so you might want to consider that since you have kids. I don't have kids, so I'm not sure about schools.

The job market here seems better too, being in the financial services industry...I recieved muplitple offers in a short period of time. There is a diverse job market here, so your hubby should be able to find something quickly. Charlotte is primarily driven by Bank of America, Wachovia, Lowes, and Nascar. I know BofA and Wachovia are haveing major layoffs.

The real estate market in both cities are pretty similar though, as in it could be worse. We only lived in our Charlotte house for less than two years, and after commission and some of the buyers closing cost we were lucky to come up on the positive end. Our house was on the market for 32 days.

If you're strapped for cash, I would recommed you stay where you are because moving from far distances will drain what cash you do have. Although we got a relo package, seeing some of the receipts was an eyeopener.

But, if you HAVE to move.....from someone that has lived in both areas...Dallas would be the better choice.

[IL2NC2TX]

Thank you all very much. I had my interview - both companies are offering some sort of relocation package - so that is a big relief. We are definitely looking to make our lives better and I think Dallas is a great fit - I am going to do it smart though and continue to do my research. I should be receiving my second offer today and I am going to give them an answer by the end of this week. Wish me success!

[IL2NC2TX]

Originally Posted by CLT

I just moved to Irving(Valley Ranch) from Charlotte a few weeks ago, and I would recommend the Dallas area!!! From your ID, i'll assume you're from Illinois...FWTW...I grew up in northern IL. The residents here are friendlier than the Charlotte transplants. Most of the charlotte transplants are your stereotypical Northeastener. I have found that most Texans have similar midwestern values. The infrastructure here is much better than Charlotte, Dallas has more people and overall less traffic. The crime in Charlotte is worse, so you might want to consider that since you have kids. I don't have kids, so I'm not sure about schools.

The job market here seems better too, being in the financial services industry...I recieved muplitple offers in a short period of time. There is a diverse job market here, so your hubby should be able to find something quickly. Charlotte is primarily driven by Bank of America, Wachovia, Lowes, and Nascar. I know BofA and Wachovia are haveing major layoffs.

The real estate market in both cities are pretty similar though, as in it could be worse. We only lived in our Charlotte house for less than two years, and after commission and some of the buyers closing cost we were lucky to come up on the positive end. Our house was on the market for 32 days.

If you're strapped for cash, I would recommed you stay where you are because moving from far distances will drain what cash you do have. Although we got a relo package, seeing some of the receipts was an eyeopener.

But, if you HAVE to move.....from someone that has lived in both areas...Dallas would be the better choice.

Thanks! That is what I definitely wanted to hear - (sometimes you have your thoughts of what you want to hear versus what you really hear) but moving is scary regardless - Your right about the northeastern attitude being different - my brief stay in dallas made me miss the scenic view of Charlotte but I definitely recognized a HUGE difference in people!

Both companies are offering a relocation package - just a matter of who will do more - I am wondering now what are the next steps -

I would love to build more equity in our home - but I don't want to deal with the renters directly - should I contact a property management? Should I engage a realtor on just selling it if the company pays my housing expenses in Texas? I'm biting my nails because I really don't know the next step and I don't work well that way...

[amya1577]

I have to ask...did you end up going forth with your move to Dallas?

[gowe]

Sorry to hear about your situation, but i think you will enjoy moving to Dallas Texas. For one, you will leave your drama behind like you said and second you will enjoy the weather. If You truly decide to move to Dallas, I would consider your husband situation. With no job in this economy, I would suggest that you get a small nice for rent. Unlike many Northern cities, you can find nice, safe and affordable apartments in Dallas. Also, your husband shouldn't have too much issue finding a job here with a Master. At the worst situation, he can get $15/hr temporary job anywhere.