Husbands Job moving?? (Tulsa, Sapulpa, Jenks: rent, buying a house, buying)

[okpondlady]

My husband's job is moving from Eufaula to Jenks within the next year (estimated). We have the option of moving and buying a house or buying a car to drive. There really isn't an option to get a different job. He don't have the training that most people want (his is OTJ) and no one here would pay him what they do.
Since we live in Checotah, I just don't know if I want to move to basically between Sapulpa and Memorial, South of 111 and North of Beggs or so. About a 15 mile radius of 111.
We live in an older house purchased in the 60's by my grandparents, my dad lived there for several years, now we do. It ain't much (3br, 1ba) but it is paid for. Our car is 10 yrs old, but it is paid for. If you only have to drive 10 miles to work each way you don't need a new one...

So here is my dilemma. Do I swallow my OMG $100,000 for a decent house.. Or do we go with buying a car. In the long run buying a car would be less expensive but it would take him 2 extra hours commuting and adding in the price of gas... well let's just hope he can find someone to ride with him. We also haven't been informed if the company will be giving us a moving package. I would think, since he has been there 21 years, they would do something. At least if we do decide to move, it would put us ahead on our house down payment.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by okpondlady

My husband's job is moving from Eufaula to Jenks within the next year (estimated). We have the option of moving and buying a house or buying a car to drive. There really isn't an option to get a different job. He don't have the training that most people want (his is OTJ) and no one here would pay him what they do.
Since we live in Checotah, I just don't know if I want to move to basically between Sapulpa and Memorial, South of 111 and North of Beggs or so. About a 15 mile radius of 111.
We live in an older house purchased in the 60's by my grandparents, my dad lived there for several years, now we do. It ain't much (3br, 1ba) but it is paid for. Our car is 10 yrs old, but it is paid for. If you only have to drive 10 miles to work each way you don't need a new one...

So here is my dilemma. Do I swallow my OMG $100,000 for a decent house.. Or do we go with buying a car. In the long run buying a car would be less expensive but it would take him 2 extra hours commuting and adding in the price of gas... well let's just hope he can find someone to ride with him. We also haven't been informed if the company will be giving us a moving package. I would think, since he has been there 21 years, they would do something. At least if we do decide to move, it would put us ahead on our house down payment.

I know I would move. I certainly wouldn't want that long of a commute. There are good deals to be had on houses in Tulsa from what I hear.

[#1soonerfan]

I would second that opinion. That would be a LOOOOOOONG drive and w/ gas at $3.75 a gallon, any sort of savings by not moving would be more than eaten up by fuel costs and car wear & tear.

I don't know if your budget is 100K for a home, but if it is, I wouldn't look in Jenks. You'll be hard pressed to get anything for $150-175K there. Instead look at Sapulpa or Glenpool. You could easily get a home for $100K or even a little less and be in easy commuting distance.

[sgrizzle]

If they don't relocate you, and you are unsure, rent a place near his job and keep the old house. I would suggest you move however, You likely won't find anyone to ride with him and losing 2 hours a day in the car will make him hate his job.

Consider the value of your time. If he makes $25 an hour, then he is giving up $535/month worth of his time every month. That makes that house payment a bit more manageable.

[techienomad]

I like the rent idea before buying. That way you have options if things turn out different or something else comes up. I would go against the long commute and buying a new car.