Michigan to Hickory. Good choice? (Mountain View, Clyde: house, find a job, theatre)

[UPnative]

Hello,

I have been offered a position in Hickory, NC. I have been searching for a new career in MI for about three years now with no luck. My wife is on the fast track with her career and has a bright future here in MI. So it feels like we're playing a game of who's career is more important. NC is warmer for sure and there seems to be a lot to do, but distance from family is a huge concern. I have an older sister with two young boys and a younger sister with CF. The guilt I feel from moving from family, taking my wife away from a job she loves and starting anew is overwhelming. I don't want to miss this chance because I have been unhappy in my career for too long. I just can't get the pro's and con's to come out. I have read about a lot of people moving for a spouses job, but none of which both have climbing careers. There is no chance of moving back as the area has little to no opportunities (UP of Michigan). It's beautiful but bleak at the same time.

I know experiences are as unique is individuals, but can anyone relate?

Thanks

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by UPnative

Hello,

I have been offered a position in Hickory, NC. I have been searching for a new career in MI for about three years now with no luck. My wife is on the fast track with her career and has a bright future here in MI. So it feels like we're playing a game of who's career is more important. NC is warmer for sure and there seems to be a lot to do, but distance from family is a huge concern. I have an older sister with two young boys and a younger sister with CF. The guilt I feel from moving from family, taking my wife away from a job she loves and starting anew is overwhelming. I don't want to miss this chance because I have been unhappy in my career for too long. I just can't get the pro's and con's to come out. I have read about a lot of people moving for a spouses job, but none of which both have climbing careers. There is no chance of moving back as the area has little to no opportunities (UP of Michigan). It's beautiful but bleak at the same time.

I know experiences are as unique is individuals, but can anyone relate?

Thanks

Well, I have known several people who moved to Hickory from the Grand Rapids area . . . w/ furniture jobs . . . and were very happy w/ the move. Of course, there are always adjustments.

The concern I would have would be w/ your wife's career. What industry sector is she in? Any chance for telecommuting? Will she even be able to find a job in her field? Is her field as lucrative as yours? Do you all have children or are you thinking about children? Not that you have to answer those questions online, but just a few things to consider. For ex., if you are thinking you might want to start a family soon, then perhaps this would be the time to do that and your wife could take a career break . . . Just things for you to think through.

I would def be considering what your wife will be doing w/ her time if you make the move . . . so I would be checking out possible employment opps for her . . . unless starting a family and having her stay at home is one of your short term goals.

Good luck!

[Catbirds]

I grew up in Hickory but moved to the mountains about 11 years ago. At the time that I moved, Hickory had the lowest unemployment in the state. Everything was great. Then the bottom dropped out and all these great jobs (fiber optics, furn. textiles) left. Then it became the town with the highest unemployment. It is a lovely little town with rolling hills and close to the mountains and around 4 hours to the beach. People tell me that things have gotten a little better. They are making it sort of a medical center and getting lots of retirees moving in. Housing went to crap so finding a deal on a house should be good. If you have young kids, I would look into the N.E. section. My kids went to Clyde Campbell Elem. and graduated from St.Stephens. Also, the Mountain View area is nice. Both of these area schools have great reputations and their education was great. My son is going to Appalachian State and is an honor student so he got a good start. What does your wife do? It may be difficult for her to do what she was doing in Michigan. There are beautiful parks and greenways. I haven't been downtown in a long time so I don't know what's happening there. It is a good place to raise a family. The negative from friends that moved from other places is that it can be a little hard to meet people. If you become involved with the Art Museum, or Theatre or my favorite place that I volunteered some, was The LandMark Society, which saves historic homes, in other words, try to meet people with common interest. Frankly, most people that live there now have come from other places. Even back in the 80's, I was introduced by a friend from Ill. to someone from another state as a native. She looked at me as if I was going to do some type of tribal dance or something and said, I've never met a native before. I always thought that was funny. Like any place, there is good and bad.