You guys I have a BIG decision to make. NFR;)

[misshark122]

We found out DC isn't an option at this point.

Our options are
1. Stay here and husband will deploy to Afghanistan again

Or

2. Move to Australia for 2 years. Not a big city though, a regional city called toowoomba about 2 hrs drive outside of Brisbane. Bright side: good friends of ours live in Brisbane. Husband wouldn't deploy.
Bad side:
Not in a big city, very far from family 27 hour travel at best...

We'd have to start the process for bringing our dog over and it's pretty expensive (though we can afford it) and intense. It's daunting and I worry about him on the plane, he'd have to go in cargo and he's a 10year old little guy 8lbs. When we get there he'd have to be in a quarantine facility for 30 days. But I can't leave him again for 2 years (left him with parents when we lived in china).


Just lots to think about. Baby will be 3 mo old when we move.

Dh says I can buy a reformer though;)

Thoughts? We have to tell her pretty soon what our decision is.

[texassmith]

I would stay. That move with a new baby would be rough, plus with such a young child, you might not have a ton of opportunities to explore the area for the couple of years that you are there (not that it would be impossible, just more complicated).

[misshark122]

Our friends moved to china with little ones... They actually brought their 5 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old to Everest base camp! So I'm not worried about not being able to travel because of the baby.

It'd also ensure that dh does not miss out on 8months of the baby's life, and he wouldnt be going to a war zone. That's a pretty big yes factor.

I am torn though!! It's lots to think about.

[rizzo]

Hmmm! That's a big decision. I'm sure you don't want to be separated from your H again especially with a baby. I vote for Australia. I'm a AF brat and I loved growing up overseas. I think it's a great experience to give your child. Plus you have friends near by so you won't be totally alone. And it will give your family a place to visit. My family lived overseas for 8 years straight.

[esynergy]

As someone who thinks traveling with little ones isn't a big deal and can be fun, I would move to Australia for a couple years. Most importantly, I'd want to avoid DH being deployed.

How would your families feel about you being so far away? I'd definitely make them visit and plan for a couple visits home, too. DH's family is 4,000 miles away and some years we see them more than my family who are 2 hours away. I realize Australia is farther than England is for us though!

[Deleted]

I grew up moving every couple of years all over the world. I think travel with an infant is totally doable if you're committed to it. I also lived in Australia and loved it (although not where you're looking) so I think that would be pretty cool.

As a new mom, and this is based only on my limited experience, i would rather live in a new country and have my husband around than have him deployed--although I don't know the length of the deployment, or whether you have a support system where you are now. That info might change things...Things to think about

[cb4409]

Having the option to avoid deployment would settle it for me, especially with a newborn. Plus, Australia would be a fun adventure!

[misshark122]

We live in CA and family is all in FL so it's not like they are right here to help. I have friends here but as a miltary wife, friends come and go and I am sure I can make friends there. He'd be with an australian army
Unit so hopefully I can meet some other wives..

[jchokie79]

Oct 18, 2012 13:17:48 GMT -5 cb4409 said:

Having the option to avoid deployment would settle it for me, especially with a newborn. Plus, Australia would be a fun adventure!

This for sure.

[Deleted]

I would definitely pick Australia. It would avoid a deployment and be a new and interesting experience.

[Deleted]

I just looked up Toowoomba and it looks cool! There are a number of colleges/universities, plenty of dining options, and looks like a pretty nice place to live.

[olives]

Australia, hands down. Because 1. your husband won't have to deploy and 2. while moving with a 3 month old may not seem like fun, it's doable. A 3 month old doesn't care where they are living. If you had an older child that was in school with friends they didn't want to leave, forget it. You'd never get them to cooperate.
Do it now while you can. good luck!

[bimbi284]

Oct 18, 2012 13:17:48 GMT -5 cb4409 said:

Having the option to avoid deployment would settle it for me, especially with a newborn. Plus, Australia would be a fun adventure!

This!

Put another shrimp on the barbie!

[littlemissladybug]

Oct 18, 2012 13:17:48 GMT -5 cb4409 said:

Having the option to avoid deployment would settle it for me, especially with a newborn. Plus, Australia would be a fun adventure!

this exactly

[joanis018]

Oct 18, 2012 13:22:05 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

If you move to Australia, you will get rid of SWF for good. Don't talk about it at the Pilates studio.

hahah :Y:

I guess I'd have to say Australia as well. Honestly, the worst part to me sounds like the hoops you have to jump through for your dog. It would kill me to put Brady on that flight and then quarantine him for 30 days!! That really sucks. Sorry DC isn't an option.

[bimbi284]

Oct 18, 2012 13:22:05 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

If you move to Australia, you will get rid of SWF for good. Don't talk about it at the Pilates studio.

VERY good point!!

[sa]

This is a big decision. I would choose Australia.

I think it's a great opportunity and it will be nice to have your husband with you.

But I don't like this time difference from the rest of us here one bit.

[Deleted]

You need to move here. Seriously. I am jealous.

[hz80408]

Austrailia! Like others said, that way you and H can be together with the newborn. Although you'll have to accommodate traveling with a baby; the baby would also be at the age that it can come along whever you go and you wouldn't have to worry so much about occupying it like you would say a 5yr old (this is from my 3 years of nannying; the kids were 9mo and 2.5 when I started). The dog would be really hard. Small breeds tend to live longer though!

[karebear304]

We're coming up on some of the same decisions - not overseas this round thankfully, but still likely pretty far from both families. I'm probably no help for you because I can't even decide myself, but I'd lean towards Australia for a couple of reasons.

1. My H is very hands on at home and I know he'll be a huge help with the baby. He already cooks, cleans, etc. no problem, and having him deploy for 8 months with a newborn would really freaking suck for me.

2. My parents would be financially able to come visit Australia at least once while we were there for at least a month (maybe twice) and would be able to fly me & baby back if they wanted to see us more. H's parents would not, so it'd be up to him to talk to them about that, but I know for me I'd see my parents.

The only way I'd choose the deployment route would be if I moved in with my parents while H was deployed. They'd be totally fine with that, so that's the only thing that would really hold me back from Australia (having the out of living with mom and dad).

Okay, this is making no sense b/c I'm now thinking of our own situation, but basically if you'll be by yourself when H deployed I'd pick Australia. If you could move with your family when/if he deployed I'd consider staying over here.

[niknik]

Australia, no question. You will have your dh and be able to travel some and the baby will have his Dad for that time in his/her life that everyday brings a new change. I think it would be great fun and you don't have to learn a new language

[mrsguz]

I would pick Australia so your husband will be around.

[summerkutie]

I'd definitely pick Australia so that you wouldn't be without your H again especially with a newborn. Plus, it's nice that you guys have friends there which will help you settle in a little better. You won't have to worry about being separated from your H again for a long period of time or him being at war. Those are two huge bonuses to uprooting your life.

GL with whichever decision you guys make! Keep us posted

[mrst2]

I would pick Australia. The only downside is getting the dog there, but hopefully that will work out ok.
Having a new baby and your husband home would outweigh anything else for me.

[FormerCityGirl]

How does your DH feel about deployment? I know some friends that would want to stay because they want to deploy with their units and feel very strongly about staying with them. That's would be the only thing that would make staying stateside an option.

I feel bad about what your dog would have to go through, but infants change so dramatically and quickly that staying with you and Baby Hark would make the decision to move to Australia a go. I think it would be an adventure, but since he could possibly miss some big milestones I'd take the Australia option. If he's willing to buy you a reformer, you could always get a place that would allow you to do some private sessions there if you got bored.

[kris356]

Another Australia vote, mainly because of the no deployment. My college roommate lives in Sidney and loves it. All of her family is in the states and while she misses them, she does love the adventure of living abroad.

I do feel bad about the whole dog issue, that really sucks he has to ride in cargo.

[adlove]

Hearing that your family is across the country from you as it is right now solidifies my vote for Australia.

I totally commiserate with you on the dog issue, our pup couldn't come with us here (quarantine here would be up to 6 MONTHS!!) but I think the initial hardship will be offset by the fact that you'll get to have him there with you for the two years!

Being away from family is hard as you know, but having your husband there will be worth it. I find that this stint abroad for us has really strengthened our relationship.

Have fun!

[honey987]

Oct 18, 2012 13:19:50 GMT -5 jchokie79 said:

Oct 18, 2012 13:17:48 GMT -5 cb4409 said:

Having the option to avoid deployment would settle it for me, especially with a newborn. Plus, Australia would be a fun adventure!

This for sure.

This. Just curious why the dog has to be in cargo? This is a big fear of mine if we have to move overseas. We purposely got a little dog so he could fly with us, but I didn't look into it internationally.

[xokell2]

Lol Mav! I vote Australia!

[veruca5839]

I vote Australia as well.