Job Relocation

[joanharris]

My husband has been offered a job with a relocation package in Wisconsin. We currently live in the Mid-Atlantic region and we're having a hard time deciding. If the job were in NC or SC, we would move in an instant, but Wisconsin really wasn't on our radar. How much do you listen to your gut when deciding? I can provide more specifics if you're curious, but I'll likely delete.

[ssmjlm]

I don't know that I couldn't be on the coast, but depending on the area, I would be open to it. Also distance from family would be a factor for me.

[monsterz]

What about WI are you hesitant about?

[keweenawlove]

I would move to Wisconsin in a second if I could but it's a big jump from the mid-Atlantic region. What area of Wisconsin? Madison/Milwaukee are completely different than northern WI.

[sjh722]

How do you handle winters? WI winters are loooong. My sister lives in Milwaukee and she loves the city, but she said the cold weather and how it's so dark so early all winter are really getting to her. (And we are from SW Michigan, so we are not strangers to cold or snow!).

[joanharris]

Aug 20, 2014 10:15:13 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

I can't imagine a reason one would be OK with NC or SC and not WI, unless it's weather.

Can you go check out the city this weekend before deciding? Or perhaps over labor day?

I'd do it, but I love moving to new places.

We'd move to NC or SC because we'd still be reasonable driving distance from family.

They're offering a couple of trips to the area, but that would be after we accept the offer.

[orangeblossom]

Things to consider:

Relocation package
Cost to relocate (outside of what package is offering)
Job market for you
Cost to visit family
Cost of housing
Insurance costs
Timeline for staying

I would consider why you may not want to move.
Definitely talk about how long you would want to be there.
Are you okay with being a SAHW/M until you can find a job?
How will this improve your life?

[joanharris]

Aug 20, 2014 10:22:18 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

I don't know that I couldn't be on the coast, but depending on the area, I would be open to it. Also distance from family would be a factor for me.

We currently live 5 minutes from my in-laws. We have a 3 year old daughter who ADORES them and a 15 week old son, too. They are very helpful, but can be overbearing at times.

[crashgizmo]

Aug 20, 2014 10:39:36 GMT -5 joanharris said:

Aug 20, 2014 10:15:13 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

I can't imagine a reason one would be OK with NC or SC and not WI, unless it's weather.

Can you go check out the city this weekend before deciding? Or perhaps over labor day?

I'd do it, but I love moving to new places.

We'd move to NC or SC because we'd still be reasonable driving distance from family. We take a vacation to Outer Banks with my in-laws each summer and it would be much more difficult to coordinate from WI.

They're offering a couple of trips to the area, but that would be after we accept the offer.

I think that's kinda crappy- how are you supposed to accept the offer if you haven't had the chance to see the area? We relocated for DH's job last year and they brought us out just to check out the area, before he accepted the job. 

Winters would definitely give me pause in moving to WI, but I hate the cold. Other than that, I have heard great things about Madison and Milwaukee. 

[joanharris]

Aug 20, 2014 10:26:00 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

I would move to Wisconsin in a second if I could but it's a big jump from the mid-Atlantic region. What area of Wisconsin? Madison/Milwaukee are completely different than northern WI.

The job is in Oshkosh and we would likely live in Appleton. The lower COL is a huge temptation.

[badgergrl]

Feel free to pm me. I have lived in wis all my life....

[joanharris]

Aug 20, 2014 10:29:16 GMT -5 sjh722 said:

How do you handle winters? WI winters are loooong. My sister lives in Milwaukee and she loves the city, but she said the cold weather and how it's so dark so early all winter are really getting to her. (And we are from SW Michigan, so we are not strangers to cold or snow!).

I grew up in Ohio so I'm no stranger to snow and dreary days.

[badgergrl]

Appleton is a nice area with very good schools. It is also very politically conservative.

[Deleted]

We moved to another area of the country so DH could pursue a job opportunity and we'll likely move again in the next five years.

I think moving is worth it if you go in with a plan. For my DH, moving was a no brainer; the job offer was THAT good and the experience of having this organization on his resume will pretty much make his career.

So we're milking this opportunity for all it's worth but we'll move again if one of us gets another offer that blows us away (either because of the salary, company or location.)

If this job could lead to bigger and better down the road, then I think you have to consider it. It doesn't have to be your new forever home.

[joanharris]

Thanks!

[aurora]

Aug 20, 2014 10:09:44 GMT -5 joanharris said:

My husband has been offered a job with a relocation package in Wisconsin. We currently live in the Mid-Atlantic region and we're having a hard time deciding. If the job were in NC or SC, we would move in an instant, but Wisconsin really wasn't on our radar. How much do you listen to your gut when deciding? I can provide more specifics if you're curious, but I'll likely delete.

Having the right (outdoor) lifestyle is really important to me, so I listen to my gut a lot when deciding where to live.  I think it's OK for you to make the decision based on whatever priorities are most important to your family.  If what's most important is your kids getting to see their grandparents frequently, then it's fine to turn down this job despite the good opportunity for advancement.

Your other reasons (selling the house you just bought, pain to move) sound more like you're trying to justify not wanting to move in my reading, but obviously tone doesn't convey well on a message board. 

[oakleaf]

Appleton and Oshkosh are both great areas. Not as happening as Milwaukee or Madison, but a decent amount of nightlife and things to do.Great place to raise kids IMO and WI has great state parks/trails.