Move or Not to Move

T.,

I know what you are going through. Its hard to move when the kids are happy where they are and you are comfortable in the area. I have to say though if money is the problem your best bet is to move to a place you might not like, but you will save money. Think that its only temporary and you and your husband will save some money to get a better place in the future. Kids will ajust just find and they know how to make friends right away. You will have less of a burden on yourself and husband if you try it this way for a while. At least maybe till you finish going to school. Good luck on your decision hope it helps some.

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Unfortunately kids don't get to pick where they live. As parents you need to decide what you can afford and go for that. As another mom said, it may only be temporary. If the new neighborhood is close enough to the old one they can still visit with their friends and I would assume they would still go to the same school.

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Hello T....
I am a neighbor (Dickinson). I would say to move. My family and I lived in Clear Lake Shores/Kemah and moved to Dickinson a little over a year ago. We moved to clear credit card debt. I AM SO GLAD WE DID!!!! I found it a little weird to move from a nice house in an expensive neighborhood to a rented town house (by DHS)...but, the way I see it, better to make it easier for yourself now and when you finish school, then you can move to a more permanent home...why struggle anymore than you have to?
The only way I would say not to move is if the next home is in San Leon/Bacliff...I dont like the fact they have no police department...(thats a whole other story)As long as its LaMarque, Dickinson, Hitchcock? Move to where its cheaper...

Good Luck in your decision,
M. :)

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This sounds like a good opertunity. As long as the place is safe and healthy, which I'm assuming since your aunt lives just around the corner, that it is.
Moving can be hard on the children, but as long as you make it out to be an exciting adventure for them, they will assume it is.
Good luck.

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This is a huge decision. You have to ask yourself if you would really want to invest in something that depreciates (ie. a trailer) it might not be a great idea. On the other hand you have to do what is best for your family, if saving money means peace of mind then that's a decision you have to make. It's hard to pull children out of their comfort zone and possibly move them to an area with less children and possibly less parental supervision. Sometimes the "easiest" financial choices actually become what isn't necessarily best for our family.

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I personally would jump on it and move. I would save the difference and use that for a rainy day. Its really a good idea. I am sure there are kids in that area that your kids could play with too. Be aware of them and get to know the parents of the kids too. Or you could drive the kids to friends houses. It will be an adjustment. But I think people are going to cut back on things like lawn care. Money is tight right now and saving 370 a month will do you some good. Just my opnion. Good luck.

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so the kids can be happy? Kids can be happy no matter where you are. They will follow your lead. When they show regret or unhappiness, you don't allow it and show them how much fun life can be no matter what. Your kids' comfort zone is not a reason to make this decision. What's best for your family is - less bills = less stress many times. Less stress on Mom and Dad = is more time to play with kids = happier kids (that's what they want anyway).

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If you need the money, move. If you don't mind being a little strapped for a while and making sacrifices, stay put.

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As long as you are happy, the kids will be happy. I raised my daughter in a mobile home. For many years we lived in a small trailer park with some good and some not so good neighbors. She was always happy and healthy. Our home was clean and loving. This is what counts.

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I would not move. think hard on how you can spend less. House to trailer? No way. Neighbors that you know & feel safe with verses a trailer park with random people that you do not know? No thanks. 5 people in a single wide-really? Please do not take offense. I'm thinking of the kids. If you can juggle things around to stay in your home, that's better. good luck.

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I would say move. The kids will still be able to see their friends and when school starts they will make some new friends too. By moving you'll be saving $300+ a month...that's more than $3000 a year. So, if they are not able to just run down the street to play with their friends, think about what you could do for them with that extra $3000 this year.

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Glad the decision is made- funny how that works out sometimes. I would have definitely said "Don't move". If your kids are old enough to be out running in the neighborhood and going to school- the move would be really hard on them. Especially moving to a neighborhood w/ no kids. Sounds like this would have been a temporary move anyway- so why uproot them for a short time? Having moved as a kid - I always felt that I would have been better off at my old house adn never fit in as well at the new. We have also moved our kids- before any of them started school-and if I had it to do over again I would have insisted on a neighborhood with lots of kids and who cares about the house. My husband had a few things he wanted in a house and neighborhood and we ended up in a neighborhood with very few children. That has meant MUCH more driving for me as we "import" children to play every weekend. And frequently when we do get kids over they end up staying the whole weekend cuz my kids just don't want them to go home. Hard to have someone come over and play after school- it means one of the moms has to drive....usually in 5 o clock traffic. And we are in the middle of Sugar Land- not like we are out in the woods- but getting out in rush hour traffic is not my idea of fun just to run a kid home. If you can struggle thru the next couple of years and stay put- or move to an equally kid friendly neighborhood- then do it. Kids aren't in charge- and if it is a matter of not being able to afford where you are at all or move- then,of course, move. But if it is a question of "things are tight but we can manage" ,then stay put. You might gain a little extra money by moving but find you lose more in time, friednships, etc....

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T.,

Check out DaveRamsey.com. He's got great financial advice that will help you and your husband devise a plan and a budget for getting out of debt and getting back on track with your finances. I think that's the first place to start. Once you start thinking differently about money and start saving you'll have financial peace! We found him about 18 months ago and since then we have paid off our cars, credit cards and other debts. We only have a student loan left and that will be paid off in October! Good luck!

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if you are unhappy and struggling, the stress comes out as tension between you and your husband. the kids will sense that and the stress will start to affect them too. the best thing for your kids is to not have mommy and daddy stressed out all the time because you both are fighting very hard to make ends meet. if they see you two unhappy and frustrated, it in turn makes the kids unhappy and frustrated and everyone winds up constantly bickering. i have seen first hand what struggling parents does to a family. the kids get stressed, their grades start slipping, their discipline at school gets worse....it's not just a matter of dollars and cents. think about things like is the new home going to be closer or further away from your school and job? are you going to be spending more or less on the utilities? what about closeness of necessities such as grocery store? what with the recession and all, gas money to do everything is a definite factor as well, so i guess what all this boils down to is that you and your husband need to do a side by side comparison of what your cash inflow/outflow is going to look like where you currently are vs what it will be where you might be going

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Great I'm glad it rented, because I think its best you stay. Sounds like its the best place for you and your kids.

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If you feel that the new location is a safe and healthy place to live, you can put that in the pro side of your pro and con list.

Are your kids in school? what are the schools like where you are moving to? Place the answer on your pro and con list.

Will the downsize in the home be physically comfortable for all of you? Place it on the list..

As long as the parents are secure with their decisions and can stay positive, moves can be lots easier, than when the parents are unsure and share their worries and fears with their children.

I like to make big changes seem like an adventure and a learning moment for all of us. I say we cannot make a wrong decision if we have done our best to choose carefully and think about our options. I also believe that we do not make wrong decisions if we have done our best, we are just learning from our mistakes.

Saving money when you have 3 kids is a very powerful thing, especially in this economy. I am sending you strength and clarity.

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Hi T.,
You do not mention how old your children are? If you love your neighborhood, then I would stay. It is so difficult to find great neighbors who are supportive of your children and your children seem to be happy. Not only are you thinking about moving to a neighborhood who may or may not have children around, you are also planning on them switching schools. That is a double blow. I would continue to sacrifice your budget to benefit the kids and your peace of mind with your great neighbors. There are other ways to cut spending so you can continue to live happy. I hope this helps.

How much longer do you have before you finish school? How old are your children? If everybody plays in your backyard, they must be young. You say your daughter is the biggers problem, so she must be either a pre-teen or early teen, which makes it really hard. How different would the new school be to the current one. I moved three boys from one district to another with no problems. Kids usually adjust pretty well. Find out where the kids in the trailer park are and what they're like. If your kids wouldn't fit in or if the cultures wouldn't mix very well, I'ed say stay put and struggle a little more financially. If it's just a laterial move, go for it. Now you are paying $9140 a year in rent. If you move it will be $4800 a year, a difference of $4340 a year or $370 a month. Look the situation over and decide if it's worth it.

Your aunt is very generous to offer the mobile home and yes you would save $400 a month, but I seriously urge you to stay in your present location with tons of children around. We had no children my son's age when he was little. It was a great neighborhood but he was so lonely. Mobile homes can be neat and plenty large enough but if there are no children around, it will be hard on your kids. I recommend you do your best to stay put.

Money is always a problem. Have you put together a list of where you're spending? Maybe you can cut back in certain areas. Ask the kids to participate in the cutback on spending. Get ideas from them where they can contribute to saving money.

Good luck! J.

I don't know what to answer you on whether or not to move, but if money is the only reason - are there other ways you could save money & not have to move? example - cell phone bill, grocery bill, eating out less, etc.
I have used & can recommend these sites - which are all free to use & just give you recommendations!
www.billshrink.com - Will help you find the best credit card, cell phone plan & gas prices (new).
www.smartsource.com - will show you great local grocery deals (HEB, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc. - it shows you their current sales - no coupons needed)
www.couponmom.com - free acct - they do the work of checking the Walmart / Target / CVS / Walgreens circulars & Sunday newspaper coupons to show you how to combine them to reduce your grocery bill - also do many regular grocery stores
www.mint.com - you can create a free acct & then once you give it access it will track all of your bills & income so you can see where you are spending your money

Good luck & God Bless

If the trailer is in a decent neighborhood, the $370 savings would be great right now considering you financial circumstances. If it's in a family trailer park, there will be children for your children to play with. How far would you be from your old neighborhood? My son faced this problem a few years ago, and my grandson was resistant because he was afraid he would miss his friends, but weekly play dates maintained the friendships which have remained strong for the last 3 years. Would it be feasible for the children to continue to attend their current schools? I must say that changing schools might be easier than living with parents who are trying to stretch the budget too tightly. I am sure you will make the right decision. Best wishes to you all.

It sounds to me like, from what you have said, that the move might be a good thing. Children adapt well to new schools and friends, and can be happier if their parents are happier and more secure with their finances. Just be careful in a mobile home to get out in really bad weather for safety. You didn't mention if one school district was better or not, but that should be a big consideration as well. Good luck!