I need help with a decision (Winchester, Luray: mortgage, student loans, buying a house)

[Walter9453]

I current live in the Chicago suburbs where I grew up. I'm married with 3 small children. I work part-time in a hospital that I LOVE; My husband and I make about $92000 combined. We live comfortably, in a small house, cars are almost payed off, student loans and mortgage being our only debt. The things is, I don't love the town we live in, the schools are not good so we send our kids to a private school (which is amazing. I absolutely love the private school they go to). All of our family, who are very helpful, live in the area.
We recently visited friends in the DC area and I fell in love with it. I applied to a job and they gave me an offer for 76000 with a relocation package and 40000 in student loan repayment. The town is an hour west from DC (Purcellville) so it's not as expensive as DC, but more than here. My husband wouldnt have a job yet so we would live on my income until he finds something (his work is not high paying). I would have to work full time with a lot of driving time....30 min each way (Winchester), occasionally having to drive about an hour each way (Luray) on a rural road so winter might be horrible. I won't see my kids as much, but the town and schools are wonderful!!!!

What do I do!?!?!

[Flamingo13]

30 min. drive is NOT a lot of driving time! Not sure what kind of commute you have. If you have a job in Winchester, why wouldn't you look for a house there? (I also don't advise buying a house until you are SURE you like the area and want to stay for at least long enough to not lose money)

[Walter9453]

The schools are not as good in Winchester and I really like Purcellville. Is it worth the move away from family?

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Walter9453

The schools are not as good in Winchester and I really like Purcellville. Is it worth the move away from family?

I would say probably not.

It is a beautiful area, for sure, and you can't beat the proximity to DC (although it's not super close), but you will probably struggle a bit financially and it sounds as if you will spend more time away from your children than you do now. If you enjoy your family and you benefit from living near them, then I believe that is a HUGE factor to consider.

I would probably only consider doing this type of move if the income increase was substantially more OR the change in jobs was going to increase my changes of further career advancement. Or, lastly, if everything about where you are now is horrible, and it doesn't seem to be the case.

[Walter9453]

If I were to be full time here, Winchester would be about a13,000 increase. The town we live in I don't like....and there is no where else in Illinois that appeals to me. Also, Illinois taxes are extremely high...not a great place to live.

[spencgr]

From you multiple posts, it appears you want validation to move. So, why not?

Only you can decide if the increased time away is worth it.

[Mnseca]

Originally Posted by Walter9453

I current live in the Chicago suburbs where I grew up. I'm married with 3 small children. I work part-time in a hospital that I LOVE; My husband and I make about $92000 combined. We live comfortably, in a small house, cars are almost payed off, student loans and mortgage being our only debt. The things is, I don't love the town we live in, the schools are not good so we send our kids to a private school (which is amazing. I absolutely love the private school they go to). All of our family, who are very helpful, live in the area.
We recently visited friends in the DC area and I fell in love with it. I applied to a job and they gave me an offer for 76000 with a relocation package and 40000 in student loan repayment. The town is an hour west from DC (Purcellville) so it's not as expensive as DC, but more than here. My husband wouldnt have a job yet so we would live on my income until he finds something (his work is not high paying). I would have to work full time with a lot of driving time....30 min each way (Winchester), occasionally having to drive about an hour each way (Luray) on a rural road so winter might be horrible. I won't see my kids as much, but the town and schools are wonderful!!!!

What do I do!?!?!

Think carefully. 30 minutes is considered a short commute here. It will probably be hard for your husband to find a job that doesn't require driving into NoVa, which will be pretty bad with traffic. Also, 76K here is barely enough to live on, and even in Purceville I'm not sure you can feed a family of 5 on that, or buy a house. And I doubt the schools here are as good as your private school. I absolutely hate the schools here so far, but private starts at 20K unless you're really religious. What exactly made you "fall in love" during your visit? What are your expectations for this area; things you don't have in Chicago?

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by Mnseca

Think carefully. 30 minutes is considered a short commute here. It will probably be hard for your husband to find a job that doesn't require driving into NoVa, which will be pretty bad with traffic. Also, 76K here is barely enough to live on, and even in Purceville I'm not sure you can feed a family of 5 on that, or buy a house. And I doubt the schools here are as good as your private school. I absolutely hate the schools here so far, but private starts at 20K unless you're really religious. What exactly made you "fall in love" during your visit? What are your expectations for this area; things you don't have in Chicago?

I would disregard this.

It sounds like you are excited for the move. The debt forgiveness also sounds like a big driver for you. Most people love the schools, and they are generally very well rated. There are non public options of various qualities and flavors too. It sounds like you've thought this through and are looking for a change.

[Walter9453]

Thank you everyone for your responses! What I like about Loudoun County was the small town feel, the historic downtown and there is so much to do outside....the weather is great too, especially in the winter. That's basically what I'm looking for, small town, charm, lots of families, local farms, great schools.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Walter9453

Thank you everyone for your responses! What I like about Loudoun County was the small town feel, the historic downtown and there is so much to do outside....the weather is great too, especially in the winter. That's basically what I'm looking for, small town, charm, lots of families, local farms, great schools.

I, too, live in western Loudoun, and love it. I think you will be very happy here. Your commute will be against traffic, and will be relatively easy. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

Maybe.

Not sure what your husband does, but most professional jobs are going to be east of Purcellville; likely very far east. Purcellville is considered by most to be very far from the normal job market. If you choose to live there, you must assume his future job would be a pretty far commute. If he is fine with that, then you are good.