Long Commute or Child Changing Schools?

Updated on January 08, 2012
H.C. asks from Olathe, KS
6 answers

Hi,
My husband will be starting a new job that is 1 hour and 30 minutes from where we plan on settling down. The job will only last 9 months to a year. My daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall. So, if we move to where my husband will be working she will go to school there through December or March and then switch schools. Or, we could live where we plan on settling down and my husband would have an hour and a half commute to work for 9 months to a year. My husband doesn't mind the drive because then our daughter won't have to switch schools. He would get off work at 5 and be home by 6:30 pm so the kids could still see him for an hour and a half before bed. Right now he gets home by 5:45 so it's only 45 more minutes. The reason we have been moving around is for my husband's job. He works outages at nuclear plants and when the outage is over he has to go to a new nuclear plant. The next job he is taking is in KS about an hour and a half from where we are originally from. He will be doing a field assignment and then get to work in the office (for the same company) where he plans to stay until he retires. We just don't know how it will affect our daughter switching schools. I know it is only Kindergarten, but she will make friends there and then we will have to move away. My husband really doesn't want her to have to switch schools. I don't either, but I also don't like that he will have that long of a commute. What would you do???
Thanks in advance!
H.

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K.B.

answers from Houston on

I'd do the long commute. It's not for too long and your husband doesn't mind. And you'll be where you plan on settling down sooner. And I think your daughter will really appreciate not switching schools mid year - that's pretty tough on everyone.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I suggest, first, that at Kindergarten age, changing schools is not so important. I also suggest that 9 mos to a year is a long time and things could change in that period of time. I'd do what is the most helpful for your overall family.

If it were me, I'd move to be close to husband's work. A long commute gets very tiresome after awhile and is costly with the cost of gas and car upkeep and depreciation. Most people are tired after a day of work and then more tired after an hour and half of driving. Will the time spent with the children be of the same quality as it would be if he were home earlier.

I really do not think keeping a kindergartner in the same school is all that important.

3 moms found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

Since your husband's job is only for 9 months to a year, I would stay where you plan on settling down. Since he doesn't seem to mind and it is a temporary situation, that is what I would do.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

It's a year. How about moving to where hubby is? A kid in kindergarten is just that in kindergarten and doesn't know about friends for the long term. They are happy to be in school.

Make sure you know that this is the last stop before retirement otherwise it is a moot point. Being a military wife we were always moving around to a new location. Kids are flexible younger than when they are teens. Be with your husband and make the commute short.

Good luck to you. When you know he will be retiring and it is etched in stone than get a house or a school otherwise just keeping renting.

The other S.

2 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

H.:

I'm sorry - you've asked this question before and I'm confused.
In November you wanted to know about schools in Kansas.
In September you asked this question
In August 2010 you were in North Carolina and then by December 2010 you were in Antioch, IL.

If his job is temporary - why would you up and move your family for a temporary job?

If you are going to be moving to a totally different place after this job is over - why not look for a job where you will be settling down?

if it were my family and we were moving to a totally different location - this is how I have read your questions on this - you are going to be "settling down" yet again in a different area...where? In my opinion, you guys must be rolling in the dough in order to afford these moves...or your husband's job moves you...which make me then question - What will your husband do for a job when this contract is over?

Your daughter will be in Kindergarten - not her high school - so if you want to be with your husband - then move with him.

If schooling is your #1 priority? Then go to greatschools.net and find the area where your husband can get a job and stay there.

If family is your #1 priority? Then go with him.

Please understand I'm not trying to be rude - I'm trying to understand your questions and what the motive is...family, job or school.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

A lot of people in my community work in one town and their families live in another one over an hour away. You know as well as any of us here that if the whole family does not move then he will have to get an apartment or a hotel that lets them stay by the week. The weather will be snowy, icy, below freezing while it's raining. It is going to be unsafe for him to travel like this all winter.

I would say you stay in the family home and maintain the life there. Then he goes to work and comes home when he can. It seems silly to try and sell one home and buy another, especially in this economy where a house may sit for a year or more before getting horrid low bids.

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