moving for a job?

Question

I live in Waco, TX, and am interviewing for jobs in Houston, Fort Worth, and Jacksonville. If I were to get offered all three, which one should I take, since I would have to move there. DOn't know which area would be best for my wife and 12 year old son.

Answer 1

Jacksonville's pretty good. The traffic is horrible but is okay. We are a business city so you won't get any Disney World crap here. The schools are okay, you should check the sites out. I've gotta go right now, so I'll just provide you with the sites.

Answer 2

I don't know anything about any of the cities mentioned, but I know ALOT about moving with a family due to work.
Our family has moved 5 times since 2000 due to promotions that my husband has recieved with his company. We have moved all over the country, mostly to areas we know little or nothing about. We have three girls, currently aged 12 yrs, 8 yrs, and 5yrs.

Here are my suggestions:
1/ Isyour wife "bought in" to the idea of moving? Moving is very stressful, even when everyone is in support of the move. I know many families within my husband's company that are not bought into a move and the familial ramifications are simply not worth it.
2/ What kind of personality does your son have? While he may not be in favor of moving, you need to think about what matters to him. You can sell a big move as an adventure with the right elements in place.
3/ Soul search to decide what is most important to you as a family. Is it proximity to extended family? Good schools? Activities? Religious opportunities? House size? Yard size? Cost of living? Safety - both natural and criminal? The list goes on and on and only you and your wife can decide what should be on the list. Make a list, then rank it.
4/ Does your wife work? Stay home? Either way, see what opportunities there are for her to be fullfilled in the new move. The first few months will be the hardest adjustment time for everyone, but you will be wrapped up in your new job. Be sure your wife - and son - have a good chance of finding a way to connect in the community or work force as well.
5/ Identify how long you anticipate this place to be your home. Is this a permanent move or a short term relocation in anticipation of future upward promotions? We lived in one location that we knew even as we accepted the position would not be a good "fit" for our family. It was purely a move meant to help my husband's career. However, it was an area full of wonderful historic opportunities, so we did our best to view it as a long term educational trip. It's all how you look at life.
6/ Utilize the internet!!! Go onto websites to check out what the locals have to say. About.com is great for an overview. Look at the local Chamber of Commerce's website. Check out individual town's websites, school websites. Whatever areas that you ranked as important, check out pertinent websites and determine the mood. See if it fits your family.
7/ If at all possible, visit the towns you have never been to. If you have the money, it is so worth it. Go into libraries, grocery stores, convience stores, rec centers. These are the people you'll be living with, not the hotel desk clerks or waitresses whose job it is to serve you. You get a great feel for a place by seeing the places you'll be frequenting if/when you move there. Ask people questions. Find out what they think is the best and worst things about living in an area.

Good luck to you and your family! Our moves have been promotions within the same company, just different locations. It sounds like you are interviewing with different companies, which means different company cultures to deal with. Be sure you find out as much about the company culture as you can. You want to avoid completly uprooting your family for a job with a company that you find out a little too late is simply a bad fit!
Good luck!