Do you live by your family, if not, why?

[candybomiller]

We don't live by family, but will be moving in the next 6 months or so to be closer to family. We LOVE where we live now, but being closer to family has become a priority of ours.

[brittone2]

We relocated out of our "home state" where both sets of parents were. My parents have wanted to move south for a long time and I think only stuck around (this was in PA) because DS was born. So when we moved, we asked them if they'd like to check out the area etc. and they wanted to. They ended up relocating about 25 mins away from us, which is perfect and we really enjoy having them close.

My niece, ex SIL, and her husband (we have a good relationship w/ my ex SIL and her husband) ended up relocating here from Minnesota of all places. It was a weird sequence of events, but they needed to move and there was a perfect job opportunity in the same small town in which my parents live. They live about 45 mins away from us, and 30ish from my parents.

It is really nice to have SOME family nearby for us, as we get along great w/ my parents. I do miss my siblings and their families, but now when we visit, we can consolidate. We travel up north with my parents a few times a year for holidays etc. and if my brothers/their families are in town, they can visit my parents and us (and in my one brother's case, his daughter) all in one shot, so people are somewhat willing to travel to see us.

The ILs still live back in our homestate, and it is one of the major reasons I'd prefer to never move back ;) I'm happy w/ them at a distance, as is DH ;)

When DH is done graduate school I hope we'll be able to stay in this area, but there are no guarantees. We may end up on the opposite coast from my family, which would be difficult.

If housing prices/cost of living is substantially cheaper, consider what airfare would be to visit a few times a year. You might be able to afford a few visits a year, and still have a great quality of life and the opportunity to SAH.

[ellies mom]

Our parents and siblings live in the same area of CA about 600 miles from us. Our extended familys live either in the midwest (his) or the East Coast (mine). We met in CA but moved to the Northwest for work. We love it here and have no desire to move back to CA. At the same time, I really miss my family and wish DD had her cousins and grandparents close by. Her life seems a little lonely sometimes when her only family is her dad and I, especially for holidays and birthdays. We are trying to get everyone to move up here.

[aa2mama]

I've lived away from my family for five years. Once we had DS, I found that I was more homesick than ever. We ended up moving closer to our families, five hours drive, and it is a lot easier for me than being farther. At least now we can visit for a weekend without having to take time off work. I would move back to our hometown in a heartbeat, but DH doesn't feel ready to go back.

[Wife_and_mommy]

We live w/in a half hour of my parents. It's great when we can use them but it's not too often because my dad and my mom works fulltime still. DH doesn't like to drive down to where they are though I do utilize her for sitting occasionally.

DH's parents are far away. They'll be retiring soon and will spend some time near us but mostly will stay far away.


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[hez]

We're smack dab in the middle between our parents. 4 or so hours to my parents' house, 5 hours to DH's. Career-wise it made sense, and we're within weekend-visit distance for both, which was important to us.

I think it depends on the amount of time you foresee spending with your extended family and how much both sides would choose to travel to visit each other. I grew up with my closest grandparents 4+ hours away, so moving this far from my parents wasn't that big a stretch. If I'd grown up with them in the same city, it'd be a whole 'nother paradigm. Of course, my parents believe we (the ones with the dog and the toddler) should do all the driving to see them, so that's a difference of opinion we're still working through.

[spencersmommy]

Thanks for your replies. It is a hard decision. We live in CA with high prices. Our friends moved to Tennessee and love it! They say their neighbors became adopted family. We though they were crazy, but I visited them last weekend, and seeing what they have (larger home, big yard, great schools!), made me reconsider...possibily...hmmm, we'll still be debating for a while, but DH and I can do our jobs anywhere, so we'll see...
Thanks!!!

[spencersmommy]

I hope I didn't sound materialistic (bigger house, yard, etc.) in my last post. It's not about what we have, but since I have 2 active boys and a tiny yard now, I just want them to be able to play baseball with Daddy in backyard, KWIM? It's the quality of life I am looking for, not the big house and stuff. Sorry...

[tylersmama]

We moved out of our home state (Ohio) originally due to DH's job transfer. When his two year commitment was up, we decided to give Colorado a try, thinking it would be a short-term move and we would eventually settle back in Ohio when we were ready to buy a house and have kids. 5 years later, we're homeowners and parents, and still here. We totally fell in love with our new home state and all the great outdoor opportunities. It is difficult to be so far away from family sometimes, but we have built a great support system of friends here. At this point, we can't imagine moving back to Ohio, even though we miss our families.

[aa2mama]

I really didn't think that you sounded materialistic at all. And in your original post you mentioned the possibility of being a SAHM. You have valid factors for considering a move. As for wanting a backyard, I LOVE taking DS outside and letting him run around. Until this house we had always lived in apartments and it is so nice not to have to pack up and drive somewhere for him to play outside.

I would consider various factors such as how far you would have to travel, how often you would be able to do it, etc, weighed against the pros of moving.