London v NYC help need to make quick decision

[monkeypuzzeltree]

Hello, hoping for some points of view. DH has been encouraged to apply for a NYC role. It would be a big career step and who knows how much tougher things will get in London.

I'm fully supportive of him but while a few years ago this would have been a dream, we now have 2 kids and doting grandparents. They'd find it tough for us to leave.

It could be a great experience for us all, children are v young so schools are less of a current issue. But I feel guilty to take their family away.

Plus as a sahm, am I going to just end up doing the same thing in either a cramped appt or a stepford wives suburb!

Can anyone share their experience in making this decision. Funny how suddenly you have to make massive decisions so quickly!!

Thanks!

If he has been encouraged "to apply" for a position you don't need to worry about these things until he is offered it. Why not go ahead and keep your options open and then make the decision if its there to be made?

I know what you mean but he'll look like an idiot if he get it then says he can't go. It's an internal move.

Is he taking his UK terms and conditions with him? He will get a woeful amount of holidays if not - maybe as little as 10 days + public holidays. Also remember, his visa (and your one) will be linked to his job. You will have to leave the country quickly if the job is terminated. This is probably not that likely but worth remembering.

The East coast of the US is not that far away, especially from London. I was always comforted by the fact that I could jump on a plane in the evening and be "home" in the morning. The small time difference, means jet lag isn't much of a problem either. GP can still visit - it is not like Australia, just means a bit more expense and a bit more planning.

My family relocated to NY when I was younger, we lived out in Connecticut. My mum loved it and was pretty upset when dad got moved back three years later! I remember being quite overwhelmed by the size of the schools (massive compared to most of ours) and not much else.... But I did pick my whole career because I wanted to move back there... When I did, I hated it and came home 6 months later :) I found the city really claustrophobic (I grew up in London) and really missed friends and family (I know 6 months isn't giving it much of a chance, but I was basically working all of the time so had no chance of meeting people to be friends with!).

I still work with a lot of people who live there and the main complaint I hear is about the cost of housing and the commute. The average commute time is around 90mins each way if you don't live in Manhatten or Brooklyn.

I think my family as a whole generally really benefitted from our time there and if its not a permenant move, you don't have much to lose. I'd probably go for the job and see what happened, but I'd never choose to live in Manhatten again. Good luck!!

I'd also say keep options open and see what they offer. We moved from London to NYC a few months back and love it here (although I do miss London!)

It's not Manhattan/Brooklyn or a 90 minute commute in stepford wives territory! There are other options. We live in the oft-forgotten borough of queens and I get to work by subway in 45 minutes. We have a nice 4 bed house for what a 2 bed apartment costs in Manhattan or trendy parts of bklyn

Thanks ladies. He is going to go for it, it's a great job and will have a LT impact on his career. So we shall see and I'll be back with many more questions if it goes ahead!!

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

NYC is fab - I'd definitely say to go for it & it's not far on a plane so grandparents can visit lots. There's also tonnes of fun mum & baby / toddler groups so I reckon you'll have a blast too! Good luck