Moving to another country - shall I take my cat?

[BrainSurgeon]

We are moving to another continent and I have a dilema.
I was making preparations for our cat (18 months old, rescued stray) to come with us when a neighbour asked me if I would consider leaving him with her.
She has another cat that is very well looked after and loved by the entire family. My cat is best friends with her cat, they are the sweetest thing to watch then they are together, they play and are very affectionate to each other. My cat is also pretty independent, roams outdoors most of the time and has another couple of good 'mates' in the area. He is not affectionate with us at all, I am reluctantly 'allowed' to pick him up but he doesn't like cuddles anymore (he did as a kitten, but acts all "grown up" now..). My cat, husband and son are totally indifferent to each other so no love lost between them.
I would miss him a bit but tbh I don't really see him that much, and I also want to do what's best for him.
So can I ask WWYD - let him stay in a place he knows, with his friends and a new loving family (he knows them and their house already), OR do I take him with me on a long and probably very traumatic trip, just to keep him with his "old" family?

[MinimalistMommi]

Let him stay with the lady and his playmate.

[Sparklingbrook]

Cats on the whole would rather change their owners than their territory. Sad but true.

I would say if he was the most affectionate cuddly lap cat ever and he never left your side it would be a difficult decision.

I would let him stay where he knows with his friend in these circumstances. he will be happy that way

[momnipotent]

It sounds like he would have a nice life if you left him behind with this lady so I would consider that. Usually I am disgusted by people that surrender their animals when they stop being convenient but that is not the situation here.

Would also depend on where you're going. If he likes to roam free outside, he would not enjoy where I live where for a good 4 months of the year it is very cold and snowy.

[Poledra]

Sounds like it might be best to leave him with your neighbour. You're not abandoning him, you're making a decision in his best interests.

Disclaimer; I might be prejudiced here as we got our lovely cats from someone who was emigrating!

[Sparklingbrook]

If the neighbour hadn't asked then you would have gone ahead and taken him, it's such a lovely offer and it's probably that she is quite attached to your cat.

[Acolyte]

I was all ready to be horrified that you'd leave a beloved cat behind. But, having read your post, yes I would leave him with your neighbour, especially as you know he would be well cared for.

[BrainSurgeon]

Aaah thank you, I was afraid I'd get flamed (especially by Acolyte) but my instinct tells me he would be much happier where he is.

I think you're right Sparkling, he would choose his territory and mates over his "humans".

Will talk to the neighbor today

[helzapoppin2]

We went to the US for five years on a job transfer, leaving behind two cats and a dog with willing friends and rellies. Home in UK now. One cat and the dog are now at the boarding kennels in the sky. Both had long and happy lives. Remaining cat is back with us, but on last legs!
As with your lady, all were keen to have them, and help us out.
Having done it and returned, I couldn't really imagine relocating them abroad. Different climate, wildlife, diseases, etc, etc make me think it's safer to keep them in this country with a caring person.
How would my cat have reacted to the local racoon?????