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Need help in convincing myself to relocate. I currently live near Raleigh NC. I have lived in this area all my life. Most of my friends and family live here. I have a great opportunity to expand my career in Houston, taking the job is a solid career move, but I feel guilty just picking up and moving so far away from my family. My wife and I have recently had our first child, and the all the grand parents love her to death. We had a family tragedy many years ago with the death of my 18 year old younger brother and I think my daughter has helped bring closure to that and hope for better things. Everything I read of Houston is great. We have near our dream home here in NC, but the housing market seems much more affordable in Houston, with many many very opulent homes. I think the lack of state income tax balances out the much higher property tax on these homes, but it seems you have to pick your neighborhood carefully. Schools seem to be much better too. Has anyone made a similar relocation in the past? Any advice on just packing up and leaving my family behind ?
Need help in convincing myself to relocate. I currently live near Raleigh NC. I have lived in this area all my life. Most of my friends and family live here. I have a great opportunity to expand my career in Houston, taking the job is a solid career move, but I feel guilty just picking up and moving so far away from my family. My wife and I have recently had our first child, and the all the grand parents love her to death. We had a family tragedy many years ago with the death of my 18 year old younger brother and I think my daughter has helped bring closure to that and hope for better things. Everything I read of Houston is great. We have near our dream home here in NC, but the housing market seems much more affordable in Houston, with many many very opulent homes. I think the lack of state income tax balances out the much higher property tax on these homes, but it seems you have to pick your neighborhood carefully. Schools seem to be much better too. Has anyone made a similar relocation in the past? Any advice on just packing up and leaving my family behind ?
I normally tell people "Come on!" but in your case, with all you've got going in Raleigh, I'd think carefully. I have moved all over the country, some places not-so-far from family/friends, other places a long way off.
You're going to have to balance career gain (what is this career move really going to get you? Bigger retirement? Lots more money? Way ahead?) vs. loss of closeness to your family/friends. It's a long way from Texas to North Carolina, so it won't be like you were moving to Atlanta and could run up the road to see folks on the weekend. You're talking plane trips or week-long car trips (to make it worth the drive; you can drive it on a 4-day weekend, if you don't mind killing yourself). You have to factor the cost of going home into your living expense, and know that you're talking about using all your vacation time to go home, rather than for fun trips--and you're going to get to go like, twice a year.
Houston is a great place (search some of my posts on the subject, also cheryjohns, serveral others), and I love it. It's done well by me. I drove to work yesterday with the top down, 4 days before Christmas. Love the tropical atmosphere, the big-city amenities. Real Estate is cheaper here than in NC, but you have to factor drive-time in---where will you be working vs. where do you want to live? The Woodlands offers heavily wooded areas that (sans mountains) resembles Carolina. It can be a real hike, though, if your office is, say, in the Energy Corridor, Galleria, downtown, or even worse Medical Center or Clear Lake. You could be talking an hour each way, very very easily (and in bad weather, Katie-bar-the-door).
Strongly urge you to take a weeks' vacation (if you can) and DRIVE to Houston and look around. It makes Charlotte look tiny. Traffic can be scary. Are you ready for that?
Yes, we have lots of affordable homes here, but is an affordable upscale home worth the sacrifice in family closeness?
What's most important to you? Only you can be the judge.
I moved to Houston from Minnesota recently and loved it here. However, I moved for a different reason. The reason that I moved is b/c of my children. It's way too cold in Minnesota for kids to play outside. I left my family, my good job, many friends to come here. My kids now get to play outside all the time. The weather is nice comparing to where I'm from. However, not a day go by that I don't miss them and wish that they're here with us. I'm finding myself regularly looking online for airline tickets to come back for a visit. Also, not a day go by that I don't remmeber the sad look in my mom's eyes when I told her that we would be moving.
As far as cost of living, it's not that cheap as the hype. Many Californian compared it to the cost of living in California and yes, it's cheap. However, compare to NC and if you'd like to stay in a good neighborhood, plus gas, things might be balanced out. Traffic and the amount of car here is insane compare the NC.
In your case, you seems to almost have everything. You might want to look harder for a career opportunity in NC. That way, you can have both: career and your families.
By the way, we rented a house that is twice the size of what we have in MN.
After the first few days in the big house, the excitement cool off and I would trade it to have my family close by.
Tough, tough, decision that only you and your wife can decide Sunblock. It sounds like from the post that you already have the great job located here in Houston. It also sounds like you are already homesick and you have not even left the house. Just like Malvie posted, I would normally say jump on it ang go for it. But you sound as if you have many, many doubts. Discuss this with your wife thoroughly before making any decisions to stay or go. You do not need us here to tell you what to do though, because you already know. On a lighter note you can tell your parents and her parents that they could come visit yall in the beautiful and Great State of Texas!! Tell them things are bigger and better here in Texas. We here already know this because we get to experience the things first hand everyday. If you do decide to come on down to Houston, welcome friend! If you don't, then you are always still welcome to visit! Good Luck with your decisions Sunblock! P.S., Sunblock, you will never know what could happen if you do not take a step out of the house!
I moved from North Carolina to Houston and I can tell you that things are very different in both locations.
Yes, the cost of living is lower down here but there are some things in NC that you just won't get down here like actual seasons.
Down here in Houston, it's either uncomfortably hot (summer and spring) or just kinda warm (fall and winter).
I also miss ACC hoops (Go Heels!), NC BBQ, Krispy Kreme and being able to get anywhere within the city in 30 minutes or less.
Here in Houston, it can take 30 minutes just to get to the freeway. LOL
While I am happy living in Houston for the most part, there are things I miss about NC.
Thanks for all the feedback, I already told my wife I am going to have to figure a way to get all my NCSU basketball games haha.
several of you PM'd me with more detailed advice, thanks I appreciate that.
More about me, I have happy with my surrounding in NC but worried about my career. I own a company that I built from the ground up, its a one man show but earns me a very decent salary. I am very good at what I do but I am not very good at marketing which is needed to survive in the industry. At worst more years will pass and my numbers will decrease, or with some creative work on my own I may triple my income ... Not knowing though is very stressful and stress takes a greater toll on me than most people. There is little opportunity for me to get a local job doing what I do currently. At best, I would have to take a paycut and start in another industry where some of my skills overlap. I have very lousy insurance, My father also owns a company, his health insurance runs him about 1500 a month. Houston is the world captial of the work that I do. There are several companies in the area that would be a good fit for me. The industry is growing and people with my level of experience are in great demand. I have interest from a few to buy my company, and then give me a great position with items like health insurance and benefits. Also I can focus on the tasks I am best at, and remove some stress of the future from my mind. I will also go from working on a near 24x7 basis to having a regular shift like the rest of the world.
Thats the job side of it, its more about a move for a secure future. For other issues my wife is nearly on board, the nice homes in the area in our same price range helps with that, I will be fine with weather. The few recent summers in NC have had some bad 100+ humid stretches, I just stay indoors mostly. May find the warmer winters to be quite enjoyable, what the high there today 72? ... For homes I would find a neighborhood to balance out my property tx vs lack of state income tax. This puts me in the 7k range for annual tax, but I would rent for a period of time first. I would most certainly visit the area and new staff at any company before making such a move. For cars I am a very frugal person, My newest car is 8 years old, and I am fine with just liability coverage.
My only guilty feelings are taking my daughter away from the grandparents, We are just into our 30's my parents are early 50's.
Thanks for all the feedback, I already told my wife I am going to have to figure a way to get all my NCSU basketball games haha.
several of you PM'd me with more detailed advice, thanks I appreciate that.
More about me, I have happy with my surrounding in NC but worried about my career. I own a company that I built from the ground up, its a one man show but earns me a very decent salary. I am very good at what I do but I am not very good at marketing which is needed to survive in the industry. At worst more years will pass and my numbers will decrease, or with some creative work on my own I may triple my income ... Not knowing though is very stressful and stress takes a greater toll on me than most people. There is little opportunity for me to get a local job doing what I do currently. At best, I would have to take a paycut and start in another industry where some of my skills overlap. I have very lousy insurance, My father also owns a company, his health insurance runs him about 1500 a month. Houston is the world captial of the work that I do. There are several companies in the area that would be a good fit for me. The industry is growing and people with my level of experience are in great demand. I have interest from a few to buy my company, and then give me a great position with items like health insurance and benefits. Also I can focus on the tasks I am best at, and remove some stress of the future from my mind. I will also go from working on a near 24x7 basis to having a regular shift like the rest of the world.
Thats the job side of it, its more about a move for a secure future. For other issues my wife is nearly on board, the nice homes in the area in our same price range helps with that, I will be fine with weather. The few recent summers in NC have had some bad 100+ humid stretches, I just stay indoors mostly. May find the warmer winters to be quite enjoyable, what the high there today 72? ... For homes I would find a neighborhood to balance out my property tx vs lack of state income tax. This puts me in the 7k range for annual tax, but I would rent for a period of time first. I would most certainly visit the area and new staff at any company before making such a move. For cars I am a very frugal person, My newest car is 8 years old, and I am fine with just liability coverage.
My only guilty feelings are taking my daughter away from the grandparents, We are just into our 30's my parents are early 50's.
If grandparents are in their early 50's you have some time.
I really can relate to wanting to stop owning the company and let somebody else sweat bullets over new business, payroll, insurance, etc. Been there, done that.
With what you've now said---come on down, the water's fine! There's a lot to like here; 1st class museums, restaurants; 2nd class sports (we have all the major ones, but 2nd class = see Astros, Houston or Texans, Houston...), Excellent music offerings in whatever genre interests you (we're an emerging rap scene, lots of jazz, lots of country, lots of rock and roll, plus all the major performing arts: excellent symphony, opera, etc). Lots to do (if you're bored here, it's your fault).
From your first post - I would have suggested staying put.
From your second post - I would suggest coming on down OR hiring a marketing person for your business there.
Hi Sunblock, our family was in a very similar situation to you a few months ago, we live in the UK, have two very young children, in our 30's and i would say have a nice life however my husband was presented with a fantastic opportunity of moving to Houston (he specialises in oil and gas sector) so as you can imagine this move would be extremely beneficial for his career.Although our families are not nearby they are in the same country and visit often, it was a difficult one for us but we have decided to make the move which we'll be doing in the next few months as it was neccessary for us to think about our future and the children are at a good age to move now.We are excited about the impending move and are confident we will have made the right decision afterall as difficult as it is to leave behind our friends and family our door will always be open for visits/holidays and then there's skype.Good luck with whatever you and your family decide.
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