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Even though I don't really understand the reasoning, you seem to have a hard requirement to be close to an airport which has non-stop flights to Ireland. Have you thought about Boston - which is the closest city to Ireland on the East Coast and consequently has the shortest flying times? Of the cities on the East Coast with year round non-stop flights to Ireland (BOS, NYC, PHL), the Philadelphia area has the lowest cost of housing and living in general. Washington (IAD) does not have year round non-stop flights to Ireland (summer only).
Also if you're Mormon ( I just conjecture this from your SLC origin), a new Temple will begin construction in Center City Philadelphia within this next few months if that has any influence in your decision making. Philadelphia Pennsylvania LDS (Mormon) Temple
IMO, one of your biggest challenges will be to find a single rental in any of the 3 cities for 9 occupants - 7 of which are children - even for $3K/mo. You may need to audition with the kids alongside to find a willing landlord. You may find owners of rural houses in places like the Lehigh Valley, the Lancaster area and possibly the more distant South Jersey areas more receptive to your requrements. BUT, you may have to compromise on quick and easy access to big city vibrancy and top quality health care - if that's a concern.
No problem, while working in a study abroad program at my school another airport that seemed popular was Detroit, which is about a five hour drive away so I would also check there to see what kind of deals they have.
Anyways, if you have any specific questions about Pittsburgh in general feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my ability
Well that's cool, I did not realize Detroit was so close a drive. We have a lot of friends in Mi and my husband works closely with Detroit PD. The flights out of Mi in general don't seem to be a lot cheaper than flying from SLC, not sure why.
I will probably have more questions as time goes on, so thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by acenturi
Even though I don't really understand the reasoning, you seem to have a hard requirement to be close to an airport which has non-stop flights to Ireland. Have you thought about Boston - which is the closest city to Ireland on the East Coast and consequently has the shortest flying times? Of the cities on the East Coast with year round non-stop flights to Ireland (BOS, NYC, PHL), the Philadelphia area has the lowest cost of housing and living in general. Washington (IAD) does not have year round non-stop flights to Ireland (summer only).
Also if you're Mormon ( I just conjecture this from your SLC origin), a new Temple will begin construction in Center City Philadelphia within this next few months if that has any influence in your decision making. Philadelphia Pennsylvania LDS (Mormon) Temple
IMO, one of your biggest challenges will be to find a single rental in any of the 3 cities for 9 occupants - 7 of which are children - even for $3K/mo. You may need to audition with the kids alongside to find a willing landlord. You may find owners of rural houses in places like the Lehigh Valley, the Lancaster area and possibly the more distant South Jersey areas more receptive to your requrements. BUT, you may have to compromise on quick and easy access to big city vibrancy and top quality health care - if that's a concern.
Because we have family in Ireland & we would like to fly some of our older children out on a regular basis, as well as ourselves. Living closer to NYC or now that you mention it Boston, something I admit I had not thought of until now, would make this cheaper & give us access to direct flights with an often shorter travel time.
We aren't Mormon, but that's interesting about the temple.
I had wondered if having so many children might make it hard to find a rental, thus far we have been fortunate & while we own a home now when we have rented in the past we have not had any troubles. We could purchase a home out right when we move, but I would prefer to rent until we get to know the place better. I guess we will have to see how it works out.
I was guessing from the coffee included in your name, that you were not Mormon (or at least not actively practicing). I know quite a few former Mormons. The Pittsburgh area is low on LDS numbers, generally; no temple here. Nearest is in DC. Numbers on paper may say one thing, but in actual fact, not much of a visible LDS presence here.
Ireland has a consular office in Pittsburgh, if that is helpful to you or your family, in re: travel/document purposes. Boston and Chicago also have Irish consular offices. The Irish embassy is in NYC.
Philly is 5-6 hours from Pittsburgh and has direct flights to Dublin. You will not want to drive from Pitt to Philly each time, though. Philly, Boston, NY and DC airports all have direct flites to Ireland; all will have higher costs of living and lifestyle changes vs Utah or Pittsburgh, to be factored in.
Nonstop flights are more expensive than those with connectors. You will live in and be in your home and home city for far more time than a few flights a year over and back across the pond will take, so pick the place you like the best, and which overall you feel fits or suits you and your family's needs best, then look at the flying stuff separately, maybe?
You pretty much have to go with your heart, in the end. If one thing and one thing alone knocks a place you've chosen off the list, then either you didn't really want to go there, or perhaps, your list is simply impossible to fufill. If you choose based on one list item alone, over all else, you might come to think of that place in terms of "we picked here because of X" versus "we picked here because it felt like home", if that makes sense.
I had to choose between North and South Hills when we came back, but choosing Pittsburgh vs. staying abroad where we were or going on to another expat assignment in another country, was an easy choice. I really, really wanted to be back here, and we found "the one" after months and months of looking at houses, and that further cemented the deal.
Compromise is key when making major, life-altering decisions, and context is the key to life, in general. What compromises are you willing to make in this move; what is its context, in your life, to this point?
Visit the places you most want to be for at least as long as a week. Any less time and you simply won't have time to see the essentials, check out schools, see life as a potential resident vs a tourist. Spend some time and money up front now, to avoid wasting much physical and mental energy and shedding tears, down the road.
Consider, too, that the Eastern and MidAtlantic US is very different from Utah for many reasons, least of which are topography and possibly, climate.
Change/difference can be a fabulous thing! But you need to acknowledge that for some (or many) in a larger family, not everyone will be on the same page as you are about that, or be willing to so easily make compromises in the same or similar ways you will. Include the kids in the decision making process, as much as possible, and be as up front about any easily foreseen negatives, as soon as you become aware of them.
Renting with a large family is doable anywhere---if you can afford pretty much anything, then certainly it is easier to do. But if you are flexible and motivated, or the kids are, and willing to make compromises as to location or maybe doing without certain amenities in favor of more rooms so fewer people have to share BRs, then just about anything can be done if you want it badly enough.
I was guessing from the coffee included in your name, that you were not Mormon (or at least not actively practicing). I know quite a few former Mormons. The Pittsburgh area is low on LDS numbers, generally; no temple here. Nearest is in DC. Numbers on paper may say one thing, but in actual fact, not much of a visible LDS presence here.
Ireland has a consular office in Pittsburgh, if that is helpful to you or your family, in re: travel/document purposes. Boston and Chicago also have Irish consular offices. The Irish embassy is in NYC.
Philly is 5-6 hours from Pittsburgh and has direct flights to Dublin. You will not want to drive from Pitt to Philly each time, though. Philly, Boston, NY and DC airports all have direct flites to Ireland; all will have higher costs of living and lifestyle changes vs Utah or Pittsburgh, to be factored in.
Nonstop flights are more expensive than those with connectors. You will live in and be in your home and home city for far more time than a few flights a year over and back across the pond will take, so pick the place you like the best, and which overall you feel fits or suits you and your family's needs best, then look at the flying stuff separately, maybe?
You pretty much have to go with your heart, in the end. If one thing and one thing alone knocks a place you've chosen off the list, then either you didn't really want to go there, or perhaps, your list is simply impossible to fufill. If you choose based on one list item alone, over all else, you might come to think of that place in terms of "we picked here because of X" versus "we picked here because it felt like home", if that makes sense.
I had to choose between North and South Hills when we came back, but choosing Pittsburgh vs. staying abroad where we were or going on to another expat assignment in another country, was an easy choice. I really, really wanted to be back here, and we found "the one" after months and months of looking at houses, and that further cemented the deal.
Compromise is key when making major, life-altering decisions, and context is the key to life, in general. What compromises are you willing to make in this move; what is its context, in your life, to this point?
Visit the places you most want to be for at least as long as a week. Any less time and you simply won't have time to see the essentials, check out schools, see life as a potential resident vs a tourist. Spend some time and money up front now, to avoid wasting much physical and mental energy and shedding tears, down the road.
Consider, too, that the Eastern and MidAtlantic US is very different from Utah for many reasons, least of which are topography and possibly, climate.
Change/difference can be a fabulous thing! But you need to acknowledge that for some (or many) in a larger family, not everyone will be on the same page as you are about that, or be willing to so easily make compromises in the same or similar ways you will. Include the kids in the decision making process, as much as possible, and be as up front about any easily foreseen negatives, as soon as you become aware of them.
Renting with a large family is doable anywhere---if you can afford pretty much anything, then certainly it is easier to do. But if you are flexible and motivated, or the kids are, and willing to make compromises as to location or maybe doing without certain amenities in favor of more rooms so fewer people have to share BRs, then just about anything can be done if you want it badly enough.
Good luck!
We have a lot of friends & family who are Mormon, love them to pieces We also have a lot of friends & family who are former Mormon. It's an interesting mix lol Utah in general is an interesting mix when it comes to religion. I love certain areas of downtown SLC, some area's remind me lot of Ireland actually. As far as religion goes we have always been non-denom and we are happy being so.
You always have such fantastic replies, I love reading your posts. Thank you! You ask some REALLY good questions, some that were there in my head but not in the forefront. There are a lot of factors that play in our move we have a lot to think about, and also a lot of fun things to discover - since the move is voluntary it's been enjoyable because we can take our time & do this the way we'd like. Thanks, once again, for taking the time to reply, you're great
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