Brilliant Idea or Completely Impractical?

[babytrees]

Definately do it. 18 months is an awfully long time without someone to depend on. Try really hard to find the money, it's a small price to pay for your happiness and peace of mind. I wish you well.

And thank you and your family for your sacrifices for my freedom

I totally agree with all of this!!

 

[KristinBelle]

Brilliant idea.

 

[budbeerlady]

Good luck with your decisions. (I would go to my family also) and thanks to your family for your service!

 

[reeeoga]

MOVE!!!!

And Go to Disney

And: Thank you ad your family for your Service

EDit to add: and take pictures od Disney and post them

 

[hopemax]

s for getting stuff that you will need to AZ--we've used ABF which saved us a ton of money over having movers come and pack everything and ship it and over Uhaul and their charges for mileage and the gas!!

With ABF they deliver a truck to your house and you load it--they only charge you for how much space you use--then they drive it to your new house and drop it off and you unload it! With all the family in AZ you can get it unloaded quickly!

I was also going to recommend ABF. My parents used them when they moved from WA to Florida, and it was great.

http://www.upack.com

 

[DMickey28]

If it was me and it didn't disrupt your older kids too much, I would do it in a second.

I live away from family right now and my DH used to travel ALOT for business. I can't imagine if he was deployed being alone. I would do it ....

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Will you be near a base to use Tricare? Or will you have to switch to Remote?

Luke AFB is in a suburb of Phoenix, and Davis-Monthan AFB is in Tucson. Not sure about Army bases.

As far as the idea to move goes, if you can swing it financially I would do it. My DH deployed for 4 months when DD2 was 4 weeks old. This was right after Thanksgiving. Within a week, I packed up the car and drove back to my parents house to spend the holidays and a few extra weeks. I do not regret it at all, and my folks got some great time with their only grandkids!

 

[katerkat]

Luke AFB is in a suburb of Phoenix, and Davis-Monthan AFB is in Tucson. Not sure about Army bases.

Duh - she did say Phoenix in the OP! I just read Arizona but not where. Anyway, I had no problem switching to Tricare in Jersey when I stayed with my family - just drove on down to McGuire and did the paperwork, and switched back when we came home.

ETA: I'm not sure how the Guard priveleges work, but you should be able to shop at Luke AFB, commissary and BX and whatnot. And they might have some family support things you can participate in as well. I met a Navy wife who moved out here to her parents for her husband's 6 month deployment, and she came to the base for a couple activities I told her about, like baby swim class.

 

[Disney Doll]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

And thank you, to both your husband and you and your children, for your sacrifices for my freedom.

 

[Sleepy]

Many military spouses do this during deployments and chosen unaccompanied overseas tours. I don't see a problem with it. You have to look out for what is best for you and the kids. Done tons of 6 month deployments with the 2 weeks out of each month before that deployment. Enough alone time to wish I did not have to do everything alone.

 

[mytwotinks]

I'd do it, but instead of a house, I would rent a nice apartment with a nice pool and playground area for the kids and some grassy spots that I didn't have to mow! I say find someplace with NO maintenance and try your best to enjoy yourself. You don't want to have to waist precious DL time taking care of a yard!

 

[Otto's Doll]

ETA: I'm not sure how the Guard priveleges work, but you should be able to shop at Luke AFB, commissary and BX and whatnot. And they might have some family support things you can participate in as well. I met a Navy wife who moved out here to her parents for her husband's 6 month deployment, and she came to the base for a couple activities I told her about, like baby swim class.

DH is full time Air National Guard, and we have full commissary and bx privileges. When he was activated in 2003, we were entitled to medical care and use of the pharmacy as well. We shop at the commissary 2x a month (live about 45 minutes from 3 different ones) and save a bundle doing so.

Good luck ~ and I would move to AZ too!

 

[va32h]

Duh - she did say Phoenix in the OP! I just read Arizona but not where. Anyway, I had no problem switching to Tricare in Jersey when I stayed with my family - just drove on down to McGuire and did the paperwork, and switched back when we came home.

ETA: I'm not sure how the Guard priveleges work, but you should be able to shop at Luke AFB, commissary and BX and whatnot. And they might have some family support things you can participate in as well. I met a Navy wife who moved out here to her parents for her husband's 6 month deployment, and she came to the base for a couple activities I told her about, like baby swim class.

We are already on Tricare Remote because we live so far from an active duty installation. My husband is active duty, not Nat'l Guard, so we would have priveliges on any base.

I've pretty much decided to do it - ironically my husband is the only one who is against it, for a variety of reasons.

My kids are thrilled about the idea. The older two are in Scouting and play sports, so they aren't worried about not making new friends. They are excited about living near their cousins.

I have gotten some moving estimates, and I think I can do it for $1500. That's doable. I am also going to lighten my load as much as possible by having a big yard sale before I go and getting rid of anything I don't absolutely love.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Wish I were nearby to help you pack.

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, sounds like it is worth it to help you and the kids for those rough long months. Besides maybe he will want to stay there when he gets back and start anew?

P.S. Tell your dh that I appreciate all he and the other soliders do!

 

[katerkat]

I have gotten some moving estimates, and I think I can do it for $1500. That's doable.

Heck - like I said - I'm paying $1200 for two months! I'd definitely do it for $1500 for a year or more!!

We are already on Tricare Remote because we live so far from an active duty installation. My husband is active duty, not Nat'l Guard, so we would have priveliges on any base.

Definitely check out the base when you get there, then. Air Force bases tend to be very nice in terms of family support. Our Family Support Center has webcams so you can see your husband if he's able to use a webcam wherever he ends up, plus lots of other services. http://www.lukeservices.com/