IL/GA/NC - Pls help

[marybarbara60102]

IL/GA/NC - Pls help with yr advice

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I have been reading these boards for some time now. I have determined that even though I don’t know you, you seem to have the best advice! I will be downsized from my company after 18 years of working as an Administrative Assistant in the suburbs of Chicago. I have lived here all my life. I think that I have 3 options of what to do. Please help with ANY advice that you have.


1. IL: Stay in Illinois. Sell home and downsize (as I will be starting out at the bottom of the salary pool) and look for another job. My husband hates his job and would like to do “something” else.

2. GA: Both my husband and I have the possibility of getting transfers with our current companies. We’ve never lived anywhere else. Cost of a home and real estate taxes would be far less. Problem – moving my shy 8th grade daughter to a new school & my office would be on the north end of Atlanta. Is traffic worse than the suburbs of Chicago? Crime rate? Schools? What city would I live in? Is Alpharetta too far time wise to Atlanta?


3. NC: Move to Apex, NC, where our friends live and open our own hotdog restaurant. Wouldn’t a change in climate/surroundings be nice? Cost of a home and real estate taxes would be far less. Problem – moving my shy 8th grade daughter, only knowing one couple, leaving behind corporate life of great insurance/pension/paid sick days/set schedule/401k/stock options/guaranteed pay check, and only knowing 1 couple.

 

[tinaluis]

It seems to me that the NC option is most appealing to you by the way you worded your post. Perhaps focusing on that first will be the most enlightening. Won't your shy 8th grade daughter be going to HS soon? I realize that she'll probably attend with some of her old friends, but HS will be a new experience anyway, so maybe it's a good time to make a move. I've never lived in GA, only driven through, and the traffic in Atlanta is pretty bad. I would say it's a notch above the traffic here in Chicago. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I live outside of Atlanta and will say that Atlanta is a great place to live! There are plenty of places to live in and around the Northiside (Gwinett County/Alpharetta) and the schools are really good up there. The commute in Atlanta is one of the worst in the country as far as average length of time.

I think your daughter will adapt, as many kids do, to a new situation. She'll just need your support and encouragement.

 

[HLAuburn]

IL/GA/NC - Pls help with yr advice



2. GA: Both my husband and I have the possibility of getting transfers with our current companies. We’ve never lived anywhere else. Cost of a home and real estate taxes would be far less. Problem – moving my shy 8th grade daughter to a new school & my office would be on the north end of Atlanta. Is traffic worse than the suburbs of Chicago? Crime rate? Schools? What city would I live in? Is Alpharetta too far time wise to Atlanta?

I can tell you a little about ATL. Traffic is pretty bad, usually all the time. I guess it depends what you are used to, but usually at rush hour (morning and evening), traffic can get pretty messy in Atlanta. Alpharetta is a beautiful area...nice schools, lots of nice neighborhoods, low crime, good shopping etc, and not too far from the city. MANY people make that commute, and a lot from even farther away. With no traffic, you could make it from Alph to downtown Atl in 20-30 minutes, but it might be an hour or so with traffic. Also, you could look into areas up I-85 like Hamilton Mill, Buford, Suwanee, Dacula. I love Atlanta and I'd recommend it as a place to move to anyone.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have lived in all three states, but not near Chicago or Atlanta so I can't help there. I will say that GA is extremely humid, but there is alot to do there. I did live near Apex and it's a beautiful area. The climate was beautiful, it's just far enough inland not to be hit too hard from hurricanes. I agree with the poster who said that your daughter will be starting high school soon which is going to be a new experience anyway and if it's approached positively by you this may help bring her out a little bit. As far as only knowing one couple, there are alot of ways to meet new people so I'm not sure that's something you should worry about, you'll have new neighbors and if you decide to open a new business you're going to be making all kinds of contacts.

I think this is the option that you sounded the most enthusiastic about so I think you should look into it more thoroughly and see how you can make it work for your family if your husband has the same opinion. Also don't forget to ask your daughter her opinion (although let her know that you and dh will still be making the final decision), she may be excited about the prospect of moving.

 

[shelly3girls]

I am not familiar with any of the areas so I cannot add any advice. If you decide to make the move I would contact the new school as soon as possible. It may be possible to get your daughter in contact with a few girls who may be involved in similar activities. Even a visit to the school that involves meeting students would help.

 

[disney 4 5]

I have lived in central Illinois for most of my life but my husband works for a company that had us living in GA for almost 3 years. We were in Athens which is roughly 1 1/2 hours from Atlanta to the east. We loved the weather and the people but the schools were terrible compared to our schools in Central Illinois. All three of our children suffered in their learning. GA usually ranks right near the bottom of the 50 states where IL is usually in the top 15 or 20. Cost of living is slightly cheaper living in Athens as to where we are now. But Atlanta and Chicago are pretty comparable. The pay is less in GA than it is in IL. The traffic around Atlanta is always bad usually even worse than Chicago. My husband is from the southwestern suburbs of Chicago and he even says the traffic is worse. So if good weather is what you are looking for GA is it but if it is better pay and good schools stay in IL.
But this is just my perspective. No offense to anyone from or living in GA. We made a lot of good friends there.

 

[swilshire]

I spent some time working on Atlanta and always tried to stay in Alpharetta. The traffic was bad enough to discourage me from relocating there, but they've built a new train station just off 400 now, I think, so that would probably be a good option to get downtown.

I agree with others that say your daughter will adapt. Now is a much better time than in a year or so. Once she gets into high school and all the associated groups (band, french club, etc), it would be even harder to pull her away. She'll be in a new place with all the other 9th graders. They all make new friends, even if they don't move.

I would be inclined to go for the transfers if this is the only option where the pay and benefits are guaranteed to be similar to what you had before.

Sheila

 

[debbiedoo]

I live in Alpharetta and have for nine years. We have good schools in the area. I am not sure what price rang you are looking for but I am sure that you will find it though.

The commute on 400 can be rough--you just have to know when to leave--everyone I know leaves around 5:30/6:00. I have relocated within my company so I no longer have to make that commute. There is a train station on the north end--and their are plans of building another one--so it will not be too bad. It is proposed to go in at windward or old miltion pkwy--exit 10 and 11.

A lot of people here like Forysth county--but I love North Fulton.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me!!

 

[Dory's Twin]

Wow! I am in the same boat but don't know what to do.

My husband is interviewing for a job in the pacific northwest....we are from suburbs in Rocky mtns and it would mean a move to a small town for my kids DS 14 and DD 12...right when they are going to high school and middle school...both are big soccer players...no soccer where we might be going....the schools aren't well funded...etc....those are the downsides, but...very interesting job for DH, slower lifestyle, ocean, my family..... my family....my family...

ARRG....so many pro and cons...I feel as tho I can't think straight...I am trying to be supportive and let DH make the decision (mostly), but what will this do to the kids if they hate it?

 

[Straitlover]

Apex has a lot of people from the north living there, so ou would probably feel right at home there. It has gone from a tiny little towm to pretty spread out. Housing's a lot more than it used to be.

Re the hot dog restaurant: we love our hot dogs down here! There are big debates on the red hot dogs (Carolina Packers) vs brown hot dogs. Down here, when you order a HD all the way, that means mustard, chili (no beans!) and onion. Or were you planning on selling some fancy yankee hot dogs??? Just kidding!

We would be happy to have you in NC!

 

[EthansMom]

You are an professional with 18 years of experience. There is no reason that you should be willing to accept a position that would pay you the same amount that they would pay someone who is inexperienced. That said, sure, you might not be able to find something that pays the same income you are currently making, but you shouldn't expect to take a drastic pay cut.

Regarding your options, I would take the job transfers. I think it's generally easier to find a new job when you already have a job rather than when you are unemployed. If one or both of your companies are willing to pay for moving expenses and/or closing costs on your house(s), then there is that to consider.

I wouldn't move to NC and count on selling enough hot dogs to make a living. Firstly, you may have a difficult time getting a mortgage with no current income. Secondly, you could easily eat up your savings trying to start a hot dog stand that just doesn't generate enough income to live off of. You could find yourselves stuck in NC with less money than you started and no easy way to get out.

Talk to your daughter about the possibility of moving -- it may be just what she needs and wants. My little brother moved with Mom to a different school district when he was in the 6th grade -- he was much happier in a school system that had never met his sister (me) and where he could be judged on his own merits rather than being compared to my acedemic success. Plus, his new school district had a Police Explorer program that helped him find his calling. Though the move was difficult, the outcome was good.

Just my opinion! Good luck with your decision!

 

[marybarbara60102]

I'm on my lunch hour, so I'll have to re-read all the great posts with my husband tonight. He will think that I'm crazy for posting this question until he reads all this great advice!

It seems like the replies are swaying towards Atlanta. Maybe, I should have given more information. If I do pick IL or NC, I will get a 55 week paid severance and 1 year insurance. My husband truly hates his job, but neither of us has a college degree. He's been with his company for 12 years. So, we both have worked our way up. Therefore, we know that we will not make us much $$$ if we start over somewhere. Also, our taxes here in the suburb of Chicago are $10,000 a year. That is why GA & NC look good to us! We could still downsize in IL, but to stay in my daughter's school district our taxes would still be $7-8k.

You have eased my mind about my daughter. That mommy guilt can tear you up!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I live in the Hamilton Mill/Dacua area of Gwinnett County, Georgia(an area that someone previously suggested). Alpharetta is a good distance from here but Hamilton Mill is probably cheaper but both areas have excellent schools. I grew up in the Alpharetta school system in North Fulton county and have a niece in Dacula/Gwinnett county school now. Crime is lower in both of these areas. Traffic in Alpharetta is bad if you go down 400 but if you live near by it wouldn't be too bad. If you have a commute then it would be terrible. I work 50 miles (that's one way) from home and I feel like I live out of my car because I spend so much time in it. That being said, I love Atlanta and wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. It is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. Good luck with your decision.

 

[jeancbpugh]

Well..............Atlanta is a LOT closer to WDW

 

[marybarbara60102]

That was another reason we are considering GA or NC. We can drive to WDW! We both hate to fly. We both hate the expense of flying - airline/limo/renting a car! We have seen all of the Midwest. It would be great to venture to the south.

 

[Tigger113]

I have lived in Woodstock Ga which is just northwest of Atlanta. Of the different places in Ga we have lived I really like it here. We have far less traffic than Alpharetta and we have cheaper taxes and home costs. BUT Georgia is HOT & HUMID!! I would move back up north in a second!!! Our schools are good but you could always send you daughter to private school, we have a few excellent schools here in our county that I would recommend to anyone!
Karen

 

[rileyroosmom]

Just to add my two cents here....I moved to Suwanee, GA last August after living my whole life on Long Island, NY. We moved due to my husband's job transfer. I was extremely apprehensive about the move to say the least. My oldest son turned 11 and would be starting middle school, I also have a 7 and 4 year old.

Now that I've been here almost a year, I can say that it has been a great move. As to the bad schools in GA, it is true, except for South Forsyth/North Fulton area. These schools are great and are ahead of our school on Long Island. We even had to retain our 2nd grader (back to 1st) because he was not at grade level. The people here are great. We have lots of parties and get togethers. Even salespeople in stores are friendly. Can't beat the weather, the summer is hot, but isn't that what summer is? Besides, everything is central a/c. The houses are unbelieveable, you get a lot for your money and taxes are dirt cheap.

No matter what move you make, I would try not to worry too much about your daughter. I felt the same way as you, how could I uproot my kids. Kids adept really well and quickly. Within one week both my kids had a ton of friends. If you could move during the school year or close to when it begins (we had 1 week before schools started) that is the best for kids. If forces them into a situation of kids instead of sitting in the new house waiting to be discovered.

Good Luck, change is scary but don't let fear stop you from doing something, it may turn out to be a great adventure.

 

[mom2threeboys]

We actually live in Apex! We really love it here. Its a lovely little town, although its grown so in recent years, it still has maintained some of its small town feel. Coming fromm the north, I think you'll find housing very reasonable. Also, the school system here is excellent.
Good luck with whatever you decide!