How do you know????

[nj08]

It's so funny that I read your post. I was thinking she must be my twin. See, my boyfriend lives in Maryland and went there to settle down first and eventually wants my son and I to move there with him.. I'm so scared. I don't know much about MAryland if anything at all and I'm not sure if it's where I would like to live. I currently live in NJ and love it there. I would feel much more comfortable staying in NJ than move somewhere that I know absolutely nothing about. I'm scared that I won't like the area and from what I've heard cost of living is expensive like crazy. What if we can't afford it. What areas are good. I want to live in a nice house in a nice neightbohood and diverse people. Great schooling and somewhere that will make the trancision easy on everyone.. Especially my son. Combined we make about $90. Most of my family live in NJ and I don't want to make a decision that may make my 6 yr. old son unhappy. I don't have any family in MD. And just like you I don't want to make a move that will have a huge impact on my child. So with all that said, I know how you feel.

[shibainu]

How is the job market when presidents change government.

[Rmx Christina]

cost of living balances with income potential... if you go somewhere where cost of living is cheaper, the income potential will be less and vice versa...

[mendygoodman]

Hello, I hope your decision gets easier. Moving is always tough. Moderator cut: realtor advertising

[Tuneful]

I wish you luck in your decision. I'm not married and I don't have kids. When I was growing up I lived in a region of the country that is considered quite Midwestern, and my family moved to a big Northeastern metro area when I was 11, for my dad to start his own business (and prospects of more $). My mom always said it was one of the worse mistakes my family ever made. No place is perfect but there were many things about our old area that we didn't miss until we didn't have them anymore.
I moved to MD (on a whim) in my mid 30s and have been here over 15 years. It's been broadening and I have developed a career, but I have also found it tough--to start with, expensive, congested, fast-paced, and far from family. I want to leave as soon as I can swing it in terms of my career. I don't know where they will put all the people who are slated to move into MD from future base closings alone. I think you are smart to consider all your options carefully. Take time.
Could another possibility be for him to take the job (If he feels he is completely stuck where he is and there are no other options) but make it a commuter situation for 6 months or a year (i.e., not decide yet about giving up your home and moving the kids)?
As for "how do you know," some folks find prayer helpful (I'm personally not religious)... or writing your feelings and thoughts in a journal (now that IS helpful for me).
Good luck!

[ebo202]

I was born, raised, and grew up here. To be quite honest, it's getting very crowded, but so is the rest of the world.

The pluses:
EXCELLENT public schools
Racial diversity is great
Pay is great around the city (In medical, about 55K+ for nurses minimum)
Excellent career growth potential (You don't like one job, there are a million more)
There is ALWAYS fun stuff to do... Museums, excellent dining, outdoors stuff.

Minuses..
Traffic SUCKS... Did I mention it SUCKS? It SUCKS.
Housing is ridiculously high.


I'd recommend that when you come, contact a realtor. Tell them what type of place you are looking for and they can drive you around, show you the good neighborhoods, the bad neighborhoods, shopping... You name it. I'm a real estate agent on the side, you can email me and I'd be happy to give you some more tips.

[fishfister]

Is going to be the tight spot in any locale in MD. Silver Spring and the whole Montgomery county area is like a different state within the state of MD.
My taxes here in PG county are not far removed from their's, my state income tax is no different but, there is a huge politically unfair void that we live in. I suspect it is the same as the mindset of what happened in NO after hurricane Katrina. PG is majority black, is it ignored because of that fact?
I am white and will point at the Fed, state and county governments and cry "Foul!".
Do they receive the proceeds of the Lottery/Lotto/Keno/Scratch Cards?! I don't see evidence of it at all in PG county though we do have most of the liquor stores and 7-11s that feed that gaming system.

[eastgurl]

If you enjoy your life in IL with the exception of your husband's job, then I wouldn't move. If your kids are doing well in your current envirnoment, I wouldn't not disturb their life.

Get a counter offer from the current company using MD's offer letter.