Need tips about moving w/ family (adapt, jobs, Budget, cheap)

[Mike78613]

All,

I need some assistance. My wife and 2 kids (9 & 3) are looking to move back up to the Mid-West and I never experienced a move w/ family. Right now we own a house and of course we both have jobs that are doing ok. Nothing to wow about.

I need some help to see how I should make this move and make it a happy-move.
I got a job offer, but it does not pay me what I am getting here right now. I am about $2000.00 less per year offer. To me it’s not about the money, but living more free life. Living back in the 4-seasons, colder weather and more towards family activities. Also the new job offer says I will get annual bonus plus raises every six to eight months. I’m thinking I will sur-pass my salary that I am making now in less then a year. Also the job is management not a supervisor; which is what I am now. So I feel its more a better opportunity down the road. So please keep all this in mind.

As for this job, they wanted me to start around February. Now I can try to put our home on the market and see what happens, but I am thinking it might not sell due to the holidays – but I could be wrong since the city we live in is pretty hot seller (city).

So for the one’s out here, what would you do? Should I just accept the new job offer, maybe move myself and live in efficiency? Efficiency out there cost about $400 - $500, but I am going there w/o dept or car payments ect. I can live like a broke college student lifestyle (Ramen noodles & water/cheap soap and shampoo, keep in mind I can cook !!) I am thinking that if I do this I can at least send payments to my family so DW can make the mortgage payments (direct deposit).

Any tips or anyone been in a situation like me and decided to make the jump as I am thinking about doing?

Thanks for any suggestions, oh and of course your opinions !

[nicolepsy]

DO whatever you have to do to live a free life.
good luck to you. it'll all work out fine im sure.

[Seaharbour]

To me it’s not about the money, but living more free life. Living back in the 4-seasons, colder weather and more towards family activities. Also the new job offer says I will get annual bonus plus raises every six to eight months. I’m thinking I will sur-pass my salary that I am making now in less then a year.

I say if you really want this job, go for it....do what you must if you really want to go, we are...we are also moving to a colder climate, more activities, better postion but less money..most things in life are a trade off...remember that...if your wife is supportive, do the temp housing...your lucky your home will sell here, many are not so lucky..be happy and go for it!!!

WE have moved alot...we are moving one last time to where we grew up...its worth it in our opinion!

[Mike78613]

Thanks U2.
I feel it will be better by all means, wifes not to happy about the pay, but I will be working that out to see if they can match my salary (at least)

[Seaharbour]

Well its 2,000 a year difference here, right? that is a drop in a bucket..imo We are taking a 30,000 cut pay per year...six figs to the 70s but we feel its worth it, we miss were we both grew up...

Are you sure its just the money here?

[movingtohouston]

Keep in mind that you are moving to the midwest and as long as you aren't going to major city like Chicago or something, most likely your costs for things like food and housing are going to be lower as well. I don't know where you live now but after you sell your house you may come out ahead.

My family has moved several times. This last move my husband took a pay cut as well but we moved from Ca to Texas. Cost for most things here in Tx are lower than what we paid in Ca. His job is better, he is home more often so it was a trade off that we could live with. As for your children moving, they should adapt fairly easy. We moved mid school year and once the kids (ages 10, 11 and 2) got caught up with school they fit in real well. We got them involved with sports as soon as possible so that they would have an opportunity to meet some kids their age outside of school. We also talked with them extensively about how good this move would be for us (Dad not working so much, more money to fund their activities etc...)they were for it. For my youngest he was pretty much oblivious to his new surroundings. I made sure that the first thing I did when we got into our new home was to set up his room exactly like I had it in the old home and he was fine after that.

Good luck to you. Whatever you decide to do it will be the right decision for your family.

[Rook73]

Did you put the salary through a cost-of-living calculator? I've found them useful...
http://swz.salary.com/costoflivingwi...coll_start.asp

That one should be good. Hope it helps you.

[CosmicWizard]

Mike78613 wrote:

To me it’s not about the money, but living more free life

You've already answered your own question, and I agree 100%. My wife and I made a big move a year and a half ago. I took a $12,000 pay cut and my wife took a $6000 pay cut. We have a better quality of life in our new location. We live in a nicer home in a much nicer neighborhood. Commuting to and from work is far more pleasant. We spend more time in nature. To us, it was worth the paycut. Think of this....have you ever heard of ANYONE on their deathbed wishing they would have stuck with a better paying job? As you say, it's about living a more free life, not about making an extra $2000 a year. Don't sweat the small stuff. $2000 spread out over the course of a year is just $5.48 a day. Ask yourself, is it worth it to pass up an opportunity to live a more free life over $5.48 a day. Chances are, if the $2000 is really crucial to your lifestyle, between you and your wife you can easily find a way to earn an extra $2000 above and beyond your job.

blessings...Franco

[Mike78613]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Also I wanted to let “movingtohouston” know that I will be leaving Austin, TX to Denver, CO

I am willing to give up my huge 2-story (3000 sq) cookie cutter home w/ custom pool to live a simpler life. I would be willing to own a smaller and older home and promise my kids family picnics and scenery. Even though Austin is wonderful city, but this is not home to me.

I originally left Colorado back in 1996 (21 yrs old) and did not look back and thought back now for about 3 years to what I really missed out on not living there. We go up to Colorado to visit at least once every two years and I just miss it so much! Not the people in general, but the lifestyle to give to my family. My wife is not happy about the salary cut or moving (honestly), but then again she never was the bread-winner either. I know I can gain $2K-$4K back if I wanted to in part time job. But I probably don’t need to.

-But I offered to her that " If we were to move, she would only have to work part time (if even that) and not worry about a babby-sitter due to my youngest starting school next year”. She thinks its BS and I am just bluffing and not believing it. I think it would be a great move and get a smaller home/mortgage payment. MAN, I wish we never got rid of our 1st home. Only 1300 sq ft. purchased it for $90K (new) and payments were only $675.00 a month compared to my $1700 mortgage that I pay now and live about 7-miles closer to town (LOL).

My mother, which also lives in Austin helped us greatly about baby-sitting situation and never really asked us for money, but with what I could of saved for not paying baby sitting money and instead buying a huge home and w/o my moms help I think we could not afford it in the beginning. Day sitters charge about $800 a month here. My wife is not looking at the big picture of the help we had to afford our home now. I know lots of you been there. I am just wanted more to life then a fancy house or that new SUV that I have to bust my *** for and not show anything else or spending quality time w/ the kiddos.

Don't get me wrong, I can sale my home here, move into a smaller home HERE but I would not be happy here. There is nothing here that I really enjoy. Great for singles or younger folks. I try to make the best of it, but I still feel bored. Austin offers lots of entertainment, music, lakes and parks, but Denver has more to offer in what I want, plus I love the COLDDDD!! Also moving to the Denver area it would not take 4 - 10 hours to get away from civilization if needed. I know I am not going crazy. Yes, there is more to life then just money I know that for sure!

We can always shrink our budget, but I think my wife loves her huge home, nice car. I sacrifice to drive and older paid off vehicle over my new Tahoe which I got rid of this past year ($500 payment, bye, bye) I want to live frugal but can my wife? LOL!!

I wonder what I can do to change her mind………

[oc2nyc]

Mike78613,
I don't really see your problems getting any better just by moving to CO. It seems to me that you and your wife are not on the same page as far as quality of life is concerned. If she is not happy about living a more simple lifestyle where you are, what makes you think she will all of a sudden have a change of heart once you move to CO? Every reason you mention for leaving consists of only your desires, not your wife's. I don't blame you for wanting a more simplified lifestyle, but at what cost if your wife is completely unhappy? I think you should think this through, and maybe find some sort of a compromise on where to live. Moving will not change the basic differences in the way you and your wife want to live. Basically it's that old saying, "Wherever you go, there your are." Moving will not always make life easier unless you both plan, and agree, to make adjustments in your lives. Otherwise it just the same thing in a different place.
I also find it funny that you are moving from Austin and say how much you dislike that area. If you go on the Orange County CA board you will see a thread that asks where everyone is moving to, and most are wanting to move to Austin, saying how perfect it is to raise a family. I guess it is all relative, considering they are moving from So. Calif. Many are moving to Co as well. I guess either way you will be better off than us Californians! Good luck to you whatever you decide.