moving from one end of the country to the other!

[tricot39]

It was so easy moving away from home 15 years ago, but now I'm heading back with DH and 2 dcs. To move we need to sell 2 businesses, get me a job, sell our house, buy a new house and start DH's business anew. Luckily we have preschoolers so that's a bit easier, but I everything seems to depend on everything else. What should I focus on first? Are we better to sell up & rent in the new town to make the new house buying easier? Help!

[oreocrumbs]

Does the money depend on the businesses being sold? And do you have to be there to run your businesses?

I would start by trying to sell them, and your current house. Do you have family you could stay with for short bursts to start putting wheels in motion at the new end?

I would go down and research local nurseries/childcare whatever you need, and look at the houses to rent and buy in the area and the job market.

If you sell the businesses, can DH's new business wait untill you are moved to be set up or would he need to be putting wheels in motion now? I think the crux lies there. Also how easy do you expect it to be to get a job, and what is likely to be the start date from getting a job (e.g if you are a teacher then you may know you have a term to wait so could start applying sooner than if you have a job where you would need to start in a couple of weeks).

I would start by working out where the money needs to come from and work from there. But as a basic principle I would try and sell everything in your current location first, and then worry about the new place. Keep an eye on the property market for both and see what comes up first (alot will depend on your buyers - how fast they want to move etc).

Would you consider renting out your current home if you can't get a buyer?

[buggyRunner]

unless you know the area you are moving too very well (im presuming you do) then rent not buy.

I would sell the buisnesses first then the house. Look for a job when the buisnesses are sold.

Sell the house secondary and declutter now.

[tricot39]

Thanks. You are highlighting good stuff!

We need the business money to put into the new house. DH hopes to work from home in the future.

We couldn't leave with the businesses unsold and have them retain value. DH has a key role which would be difficult to delegate. He started the process of finding partners to buy him out last year. One sale seems to be shaping up well. The other (larger with a property) is more complex, involves an ongoing partnership and has a limited pot of potential buyers. DH would love to sell them tomorrow as he could probably work there but have his equity out until we were ready to go.

So it's reassuring you seem to agree with our order of priorities so far.

Up until yesterday I thought I would have no chance of a job offer until very close to our move. But an aquaintance has suggested I come in to see his boss...... They might be open to an agreement in principle if I'm really lucky! Their office is within a 20min walk of the area we are looking to buy in which would be amazing! Although it suddenly all seems too good to be true!

We are going for a week in may to try the city out for size. Hang around outside schools and visit playgroups etc. Would primary schools let us visit? Our son is 3 so it would be 2 years until he starts school, so would they expect us to wait for some open day or other?

I think we have enough time that we wouldn't have to rent our place - certainly it would be our last choice as selling tenanted property is very difficult based on my sole experience!

I suppose the bit I'm struggling most with is the moment when we may or may not have a house here and I may or may not have a job there...... I have a 3 month notice period which makes it difficult to know how it could work.

Just thinking out loud - presumably we put our place on the market if I get a job offer in principle and then hand in my notice at current job when we accept an offer on our place? ....... Aargh

[mummytime]

I visited primaries when my eldest was more than a year away from starting school. The only one that wouldn't let me, I ruled out straightaway.