Advice

[geogat]

My wife and I have a big decision. We live in NH and I may have an opportunity to get decent position in the Orlando area. We both love Disney and our 5 year old daughter has grown to love it as well. Our long term goals have always included getting to Orlando and hopefully one day working for the mouse. Moving down there now would close the gap to that dream for us. Problems.. we have a 5 year old daughter that is close to her 3 cousins. We are close to my siblings and our parents. We have a house that we would need to sell or rent. And we are just not sure if Orlando is the best area to raise a daughter. I am looking for suggestions.. thoughts.. ideas...

Thanks!

 

[MerMom60_94]

My wife and I have a big decision. We live in NH and I may have an opportunity to get decent position in the Orlando area. We both love Disney and our 5 year old daughter has grown to love it as well. Our long term goals have always included getting to Orlando and hopefully one day working for the mouse. Moving down there now would close the gap to that dream for us. Problems.. we have a 5 year old daughter that is close to her 3 cousins. We are close to my siblings and our parents. We have a house that we would need to sell or rent. And we are just not sure if Orlando is the best area to raise a daughter. I am looking for suggestions.. thoughts.. ideas...

Thanks!

If your daughter is an only child and will likely remain an only child I would be hesitant to take her so far from family, particularly her cousins. That's just me, though. I would want her to have that connection as she grows up. I would also be concerned about schools in that area and how they measure up to where you are now. A lot depends, though, on how often you could make it home and how often family could realistically come to visit you. Be careful about making assumptions about people coming to visit you though. I have a sister who moved half way across the country with the assumption we would all want to spend our limited funds and time for vacations visiting her. She gets very hurt that that has not been the case. Those are just a couple of thoughts that come to mind for me. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[disneyfans95]

Thoughts..

First off, are you in the hospitality field now? If not, you should start working in it, in your area to get an idea.

I have been in hotels for 24+ years (from line level to exec management). It is a ton of hours and work. Remember you work when everyone else is off. You will work nights, weekends, holidays etc.

The pay is not great to start. Sure I make great money now, but it was a long road and you have to fight to stay "on top". In our field it is easy to know if you are doing well. There are many measurables you have to hit. From profit, customer satisfaction, turnover etc.

I love what I do. But I have seen a ton of people come into it and burn out in a hurry.

Also Disney pays less then the industry standards, so keep that in mind. My understanding is the cost of living in the Orlando area is higher so that is a tough combo.

I have seen couples that retire and go to Disney to work part time and that seems to work out well. Keeps them busy, Disney gets reliable help and they get an ok wage to supplement retirement.

But to move there and make a career out of Disney without having time in the industry would be a bold move. It would mean uprooting your family. Plus remember there are layoffs all the time in hotels and you might find youself working for Marriott in 4 years and driving by Disney instead.

I vote for staying where you like, with family around you once you have kids. Prior to kids, my wife and I moved everywhere we could with my job. Since it was only us, it was great seeing parts of the country and opening hotels. But once we had kids, we moved back home ASAP and I never looked back.

 

[MomRN]

I would think, and I'm sure some people from the FL area would disagree, that if you moved to Orlando, got season passes and started going to Disney all the time, it wouldn't be as exciting as that much anticipated once a year (or however long) trip.

Also, someday she will grow up to a teenager and hate everything and everyone.... okay, maybe that's not entirely true... but she may not care for Disney anymore. I've seen that on the boards before.

If all things are equal, I would stay where you are. If you are in the position to make more and advance, I would think about it. There would have to be more pros than just Disney.

 

[robinb]

I think that if you were to move this would be a good age for your DD to move so she doesn't have to change schools. Once she starts school she will have friends and companions to take the place of her cousins.

 

[ilovejack02]

One of my close disfriends just moved there from Nola.

She has two DD's . They are making lots of friends, got their WDW annual passes and have joined
Give kids the World ..http://www.gktw.org/.

While they miss their family here in Louisiana tons, they are liking Orlando quite a bit and of course their family is HAPPY to visit them lol.


I will send this thread to her, I am sure she will be happy to help you out, with areas and such.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Is the job an opportunity that would benefit your family overall?

THAT would be my deciding question.

If the new job had stability, good pay, great benefits and it was something you liked, then go for it.

If it is just an okay job, I'd pass.


I'd take the Disney out of the decision. Living near a Disney park isn't all that it is cracked up to be, and NOT a reason to go uprooting your life. Disney is a great company to for FOR, however, IF you can find something in a field of which you are tops.

ALso, do your research on the schools.

 

[Buckalew11]

We're married with one dd. We're waiting until she up and out before we head to FL but that is our thinking--at least part of the year.

Since DD was very young (she's 16 now), she's been very involved at our local college. It is still where she wants to attend in 2 yrs. After she's settled into college (or after she gets out) we'll head that direction. There is just no way I could separate her from family, friends AND the college!

 

[JessicaR]

Your daughter is 5, she will adjust. You have to decide what is best for you right now. Is the job worth it to up and move for? Weigh the pros and cons.