Life is full steam ahead, while I'm chugging along behind it.

[Miniefan]

I need some good, honest, un-biased, realistic advice. This board has always been good to me so hopefully this little vent will make me feel better.

So, here it goes... I am 31 I have been a stay at home mom for the past 10 years, I have two great children, I consider myself to be a small town girl, I am pretty simple and easy to please, I have always lived and grew up in the same town. Last year I decided it was time to try something different and went to Dental Assisting school, I graduated from that 4 months ago.

This past summer my dh started making noises about career changes, we talked for a few weeks about how we could make some changes with me going back to work and him deciding to take different job that paid less and how we could make this all work. He applied for some jobs, most of which were not anywhere close to home. Well, he flew to Richmond, Va in July to interview for a job, the interview went well, they told him they would like to hire him but it was a long process and be patient. Fast forward to now- we have waited for the past few months- impatiently I might add and miserably not knowing the next move. Well, he got the call on Friday that he is hired, he is just waiting for them to mail an offer letter to sign and mail back, and they want him there to start on October 4th.

Well, that day is when all hell broke loose for me, I absolutely do not know how to feel. My only explanation is that somewhere in my mind I must have thought that this would never work out and never come to pass, and low and behold it did and is now being set into motion. I have never moved away from home, family and friends. I have never had to go somewhere that I do not know anyone, or anything about the area. Our life has never depended on money that I had to make- I am really freaking out a bit here. My husband is the calmer one telling me that everything is going to work out and people do this every day and while I believe him I am worried and scared that I might not be able to find a job, I don't even know how to begin to pick up the only life I have ever known and move it thousands of miles away.

Someone, please give me some advice, any words of thought and wisdom?
We are apparently moving to Richmond, VA in less than 2 weeks and I'm really freaking out.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[java]

Just try to remember that while change can be scary- you'll grow from it! We moved 12 years ago and while it was difficult at first - we love our life here now. I am sure you will too.
My brother lives in Richmond and it's the longest his familiy has ever lived in one city- so it must be good.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank goodness you are only 31. I am 45 and have to do this. Well not move, we already did that and moved back.

Now I am not opposed to moving to different places so that is not a factor with me. I love it.

In the long run you will be a happier person having some control over your life, trust me.

Go, start your life. See how it all pans out. You never know until you try.

Think of it as an adventure.

 

[kirstenb1]

Kim, big hugs!!

We're about 30 miles west of Richmond. It's a great place to live, and there's lots to do. We're within 2 hrs of Virginia Beach, or the mountains, where a lot of folks go skiing. Busch Gardens and Water Country are in Williamsburg. There's a lot of historical sites to visit. DC is about 2 hours away. Most of the counties surrounding Richmond have great school systems. Housing is not expensive.

I totally get what you're saying, I moved all the time as a kid, and vowed to not do it as an adult. But I just wanted to let you know, I think you'll like it here. If I can help in anyway with more specific info about the area, just let me know.

 

[laurafergie]

Hey girl!!

Where in the city is your DH going to work? It makes a difference as far as commute time.

Richmond is beautiful and completely different from where you live in Florida. The culture and history that surrounds you is breath taking. Lots of awesome areas to hang out in. Careytown has tons of shops is a day trip in itself. Shockoe Slip, Monument Avenue is so cool to drive down.

The most happening area is the West End - especially near Short Pump and Glenn Allen. This is western Henrico County and has excellent schools. It is also more expensive for the area and more congested.

It's be fine...just think of the opportunities you will have to open your kids eyes to new things.

 

[alliecats]

No advice, just wanted to send you a virtual hug. I can imagine how scary this would be and I feel for you. I hope things will turn out way better than you ever dreamed. I would have a hard time leaving Pensacola, too!!

 

[Miniefan]

Kim, big hugs!!

We're about 30 miles west of Richmond. It's a great place to live, and there's lots to do. We're within 2 hrs of Virginia Beach, or the mountains, where a lot of folks go skiing. Busch Gardens and Water Country are in Williamsburg. There's a lot of historical sites to visit. DC is about 2 hours away. Most of the counties surrounding Richmond have great school systems. Housing is not expensive.

I totally get what you're saying, I moved all the time as a kid, and vowed to not do it as an adult. But I just wanted to let you know, I think you'll like it here. If I can help in anyway with more specific info about the area, just let me know.

Thanks a bunch. I really don't know a thing about the area. My brother in law and his family are living in Virginia Bch but from what I understand it is a good 2 or more hours away from the area we are looking to move into. This job may only last 6-12 months before we could possibly move again so we are looking to only rent while we are there. I have looked at some rental listings on craigslist but most of the ones I have responded to have apparently been a scam.

Dh's job is located basicly right next to the airport, the road is called S. Laburnum which on a map the area appears to be called Sandston or Highland park-springs? can't entirely remember, but the people at the job told him Chesterfield is a nice area, I just want a nice community that has good schools, plenty of close shopping and not overrun by the interstate cause I do not do well driving on the interstate!! I want to be able to look and apply for a job that I don't have to do too much driving to get to.

What are the school hours like up there? I have a 5th grader and an 8th grader.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[Miniefan]

Hey girl!!

Where in the city is your DH going to work? It makes a difference as far as commute time.

Richmond is beautiful and completely different from where you live in Florida. The culture and history that surrounds you is breath taking. Lots of awesome areas to hang out in. Careytown has tons of shops is a day trip in itself. Shockoe Slip, Monument Avenue is so cool to drive down.

The most happening area is the West End - especially near Short Pump and Glenn Allen. This is western Henrico County and has excellent schools. It is also more expensive for the area and more congested.

It's be fine...just think of the opportunities you will have to open your kids eyes to new things.

Thank you for your thoughts, you don't know how much I appreciate all of your thoughts and kind words. As far as the area, his job on the map appears to be very close to the airport, it is located on S. Laburnum Rd-? I am really worried about the commute times too, my dh is fine with driving on the interstate, me not so much, I avoid it at all costs, I will only do it if I have to, so when I get there I am going to try and look for a job that is very close to home.

I have read alot of ads that say "close to short pump" so I was imagining that this area must be sought after.

I am really trying to think of ways to get excited about this, which I know will come but I am really just overwhelmed I think, I don't know right now which way is up?!? This is a huge undertaking in less than 2 weeks.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[Miniefan]

No advice, just wanted to send you a virtual hug. I can imagine how scary this would be and I feel for you. I hope things will turn out way better than you ever dreamed. I would have a hard time leaving Pensacola, too!!

Thanks!

We've always talked about moving away from P'cola to a bigger city, I guess it's just different when all your doing is talking about it, as opposed to really doing it, plus I guess I always wanted to move down south closer to disney rather than up north even farther from disney.

Kim

 

[laurafergie]

Thanks a bunch. I really don't know a thing about the area. My brother in law and his family are living in Virginia Bch but from what I understand it is a good 2 or more hours away from the area we are looking to move into. This job may only last 6-12 months before we could possibly move again so we are looking to only rent while we are there. I have looked at some rental listings on craigslist but most of the ones I have responded to have apparently been a scam.

Dh's job is located basicly right next to the airport, the road is called S. Laburnum which on a map the area appears to be called Sandston or Highland park-springs? can't entirely remember, but the people at the job told him Chesterfield is a nice area, I just want a nice community that has good schools, plenty of close shopping and not overrun by the interstate cause I do not do well driving on the interstate!! I want to be able to look and apply for a job that I don't have to do too much driving to get to.

What are the school hours like up there? I have a 5th grader and an 8th grader.

Thanks,
Kim

Sandston and Highland Park are very rural. And frankly I would not live in Highland Springs. My older DS lived there for awhile, because it was cheap and you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible - but I would have chosen a different area for him to live.

Sandston is like all Virginia towns, just a little smattering of buildings along Rt 33, then you pass the Airport and then there is quite a lot of hotels, restaurants and the like to support the airport traffic.

Chesterfield is a county and is large. It has some excellent areas - but the only one I am really familiar with was in the way south end of Richmond near Pocahontas State Park. I liked it, but it again was pretty rural.

Maybe in your situation, I would look in the Mechanicsville area? I know a few folks that live there and they seem satisfied with the schools. Nice neighborhoods, shopping - not big city congested, but not too country either.

ETA: Short Pump is completely on the other side of Richmond. It's not an undo-able commute to get to the airport area, but there will be one.

Also, don't worry about driving on the interstates. Lots of "regular" roads around here - you never have to get on one if you don't want to. Just plan your time accordingly.

 

[laurafergie]

Thank you for your thoughts, you don't know how much I appreciate all of your thoughts and kind words. As far as the area, his job on the map appears to be very close to the airport, it is located on S. Laburnum Rd-? I am really worried about the commute times too, my dh is fine with driving on the interstate, me not so much, I avoid it at all costs, I will only do it if I have to, so when I get there I am going to try and look for a job that is very close to home.

I have read alot of ads that say "close to short pump" so I was imagining that this area must be sought after.

I am really trying to think of ways to get excited about this, which I know will come but I am really just overwhelmed I think, I don't know right now which way is up?!? This is a huge undertaking in less than 2 weeks.

Thanks,
Kim

Would it be possible for your DH to go first (even a little early) and sort of get the lay of the land? He could do the house looking with help from you long distance with research. He could take pictures etc...

Maybe that would help the feeling of being overwhelmed it you plan on moving in say a month, instead of two weeks. Just a thought.

 

[Miniefan]

Sandston and Highland Park are very rural. And frankly I would not live in Highland Springs. My older DS lived there for awhile, because it was cheap and you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible - but I would have chosen a different area for him to live.

Sandston is like all Virginia towns, just a little smattering of buildings along Rt 33, then you pass the Airport and then there is quite a lot of hotels, restaurants and the like to support the airport traffic.

Chesterfield is a county and is large. It has some excellent areas - but the only one I am really familiar with was in the way south end of Richmond near Pocahontas State Park. I liked it, but it again was pretty rural.

Maybe in your situation, I would look in the Mechanicsville area? I know a few folks that live there and they seem satisfied with the schools. Nice neighborhoods, shopping - not big city congested, but not too country either.

ETA: Short Pump is completely on the other side of Richmond. It's not an undo-able commute to get to the airport area, but there will be one.

Also, don't worry about driving on the interstates. Lots of "regular" roads around here - you never have to get on one if you don't want to. Just plan your time accordingly.

Thanks for the input- when looking on the map, things look so close but I guess with the congestion of traffic even 15 miles away can take a long time.

Mechanicsville- I will check into it later on today. I'm not into rural living. Right now even in my small town, I live in the heart of the city, where everything I should possibly need is less than 2 minutes away.

Glad to hear that interstate driving is not a must- however, my gps system seems to only take interstate routes- maybe it is programmed that way, I will have to check into that as well.

Thanks again,
Kim

 

[Miniefan]

Would it be possible for your DH to go first (even a little early) and sort of get the lay of the land? He could do the house looking with help from you long distance with research. He could take pictures etc...

Maybe that would help the feeling of being overwhelmed it you plan on moving in say a month, instead of two weeks. Just a thought.

We are thinking about doing this, I suggested it to him yesterday but we didn't get a chance to really think or talk about it logically. I would like more time to get things in order but he would rather do everything at once, I actually suggested to him also to check and see if they would let him start on Oct. 11 and then we would at least have 2-21/2 weeks to move and then a week or so to locate a house and get everything situated.

SO much to do!!

Kim

 

[bas71873]

I moved to Mechanicsville, VA a year ago and I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Hanover County is still sorta "small townish", yet we have all the amenities (and by that I mean shopping), we are close to downtown RIC, close to Short Pump. I grew up in Hampton, VA, DH in Williamsburg and we moved "home" last year after being gone for 11 years. The #1 reason we came back to VA was for the public schooling (we lived in a state with a very crappy public school syster and we really didn't want to, nor could afford, private school).

I highly recommend Hanover County and Mechanicsville. PM me if you want more scoop. We moved into a GREAT neighborhood. My DD7 has tons of friends to play with, we are 2 minutes from her school. I could go on and on.

Good luck!!!! You will be fine!

 

[bas71873]

Maybe in your situation, I would look in the Mechanicsville area? I know a few folks that live there and they seem satisfied with the schools. Nice neighborhoods, shopping - not big city congested, but not too country either.

YES. Great place to be. And I can be at the airport in 20 minutes from my house.....either by intertate or via 360 and down Laburnum!

 

[bas71873]

Mechanicsville- I will check into it later on today. I'm not into rural living. Right now even in my small town, I live in the heart of the city, where everything I should possibly need is less than 2 minutes away. Thanks again, Kim

Mechanicsville is not rural at all, but we don't have the congestion of RIC and the Short Pump area. Literally w/in a 5 minute drive of my house I have Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Kohls, Petsmart, Old Navy, Kroger, Food Lion, Martins, all kinds of places to eat.....

 

[kirstenb1]

Mechanicsville is a great suggestion. The advantage there is you are close to 2 major highways, 95 and 64. West End/Short Pump is too far--his commute would be a bear. A backup suggestion would be Chesterfield or New Kent County. Chesterfield is more developed, New Kent more rural.

 

[Planogirl]

I would wonder what was wrong with you if you weren't freaking out a bit. You are stepping well outside of your comfort zone and that would scare anyone.

I agree with the person who said to look at it as an adventure. By all accounts, you're moving to a nice area too.

 

[Miniefan]

Mechanicsville is not rural at all, but we don't have the congestion of RIC and the Short Pump area. Literally w/in a 5 minute drive of my house I have Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Kohls, Petsmart, Old Navy, Kroger, Food Lion, Martins, all kinds of places to eat.....

That sounds great! These types of places are the ones we frequent the most. Glad to hear that schools in this area are good too.

If you were going to look for a place to rent in Mechanicsville, where would you look?- Newspaper or something like this? I've been looking at Craigslist and most of the ads on there are bogus.

Thanks for the help.
Kim

 

[LuvOrlando]

I with the other people who say to make an adventure out of it. The thing of it is that nothing you are doing can't be undone so why not give it all you've got and see what happens? Your family will still be there so you'll always have a home to go back to, that should be very comforting.