Would you give up nice weather and affordable cost of living to be near family?
My husband and I have 2 child we now live in Vegas but my whole familly is on Long Island New York where my mom, 4 sisters and 2 brothers live. My sons would also be near their cousins, my sons are 2 yrs old and 6 yrs old. The 6 yr old is really close to his cousins and misses them, but I’m thinking that Tampa would be a better choice as far as weather, cost of living. That lifestyle would more coincide with what I want for the future possibly to become a stay at home mom or continue
working parttime. I am a pharmacist and my husband is a pilot(just starting off). We’re definately moving but its hard to decide on which to chose NY or Tampa, With the real estate costs in NY and high cost of living I’d be handcuffed to my job, but then I’d be close to family, we have noone in Tampa just like in Vegas and we felt totally isolated for the 5 yrs we’ve lived in Vegas, which would you chose if it were you in the same situation.
13 Responses
barebuns d
18 Feb 2010
Jman
18 Feb 2010
Candy Canes
zoya k
18 Feb 2010
i would family is every thing even if you don’t see it yet you well
maimunky@verizon
18 Feb 2010
I’d choose Tampa b/c it is closer to travel to NY then it is from Vegas. Unless your family can work out something that can help you financially so that you can live in NY, if not then you’d be up to your throat in bills/debt whatever you’d like to call it.
kimba
18 Feb 2010
I’d move to NY to be near my family. Even if you stayed working part time to make some extra$ , you’d have family to help with babysitting. Holidays together etc….tough choice
julie
18 Feb 2010
I would choose nice weather, but then again I live within a block of my mother AND my in-laws so I’ve never exactly felt "isolated" lol….truth is I feel quite a bit suffocated sometimes 
Ever seen ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’?
Taboo
18 Feb 2010
Well I will tell you that we are leaving NC (I’m from Illinois originally) because of being near my family (who also moved to NC – 6 mos after I did) – they have caused a lot of stress on our marriage because they want my daughter – not saying your family would do that – but you want to make sure the decision to move is not for others but 100% for your family.
Being around cousins and family is nice however – you can have friends that are like family and you never know what your future lies.
If you are a prayer – I say pray on it and be specific in your prayer and God will answer. I prayed for a stay home job – I have been offered 3 good paying ones! If you stay focused on your first promise to your family – you’ll be good.
MommaDoo
18 Feb 2010
It depends on how much you love your family. If your in Florida you’ll be on the East coast and it will be easier to travel to NY from there and vise versa.
kikime
18 Feb 2010
Well you said your husband is a pilot so if he works for a commercial airline I’m sure you can get a huge discount on air fair and you can see your family more often. Not to mention they could come down to see you in Fla for vacation.
I think at this point you have been away from your family long enough to know how you feel about it, if you cant stand to be without them then move closer to them. If your ok with the distance then go with the cost of living because its only going to get worse!
m-smooth
18 Feb 2010
Go to florida it would be more convient for you living wise but you could still see your family doring holidays and other special occasions
James C
18 Feb 2010
Happy marriages depend on PARENTS ,making the same choices, Life is like that ! I do not have to live with you.
mommy&wife_t
18 Feb 2010
Move close to home and just continue woring.You could just pinch and save so in the future you wont have to work.It’s more important to be closer to family.
Sara
18 Feb 2010
My parents made a similar decision. They were married and grew up on Long Island, and had my two brothers there. They were doing okay but everything there is so expensive, so my aunt and her husband moved to Pennsylvania, and then we followed. They were happy with the move, because everything here at least in PA is much better. Everything is cheaper, the schools are a lot better, and the "crowd" is as well. However, being close to other relatives is a very nice thing, especially around holidays and when your kids are growing up. I was very close with my cousins when I was growing up, and I knew I was very fortunate.
I think if I were in your situation however, that I would move to Tampa. Economically, our country isn’t doing so well and you want to make sure you don’t get in to deep financially. You can also always visit your family on Long Island, and maybe you can convince them to move to Tampa as well.
It is not only much safer to move to Tampa, but it’ll be a better environment for your kids to grow up in as well. Unless you have a looooot of money to live in a high rent district and send your kids to a private school, Tampa is defiantly the way to go.
I would choose Tampa for a number of reasons. Myself weather for one but more important are other factors, education, economics, crime rate in the area you are wanting to move to, property values and sales or rents.
I myself have been in both areas and for me raising children Tampa would be much nicer then NY. I would suggest looking on the Internet at some sites that deal in demographics of the two areas that you would like live in. Do some comparing of crime, cost of living, education, etc and then make your choice that way.
Though true family is important, I would look at it this way You would be closer to them in Florida then Vegas, the cost of them coming to visit you or you them would be less and you would overall have a much better climate for you and your family.
Good luck on your decision and your move.