Relocating - kids entering 1st and 4th?

[Anonymous]

My DH's company has been shrinking for several years now and he basically just got told he has about 6-8 weeks left of a job, plus a few months severance.

He's actually been trying to leave for at least a year (the writing was on the wall) but has had no success locally. I'm thinking we should widen our search to consider relocating out of the area. We came here for jobs and like it fine but I don't know that its ever totally felt like home to me. Although obviously it does to our kids because they were born here. They are currently in K and 3rd. While I know its not ideal, I don't think these are horrible ages to move. Ideally, wherever we moved to would be someplace we'd hope to stay permanently, or at least thru HS for our youngest.

What do others think? How are these ages for a move?

[Anonymous]

Just a note to say my brother and I relocated at this exact time when we were young - my brother was entering 1 and I was entering 4th. It went totally fine - we visited the new house before we moved in, visited the school before we started, and met a neighbor or two (and they had kids) before we moved in. It was fine!

[Anonymous]

I think it's totally fine. Some kids do better than others with this kind of change, but in general moving in elementary school is not a thing.

Also, much of it will have to do with how the two of you feel and talk about it. If you find things to be excited about, the kids will be excited too.

[Anonymous]

So long as you lead with confidence and do not show them any anxiety, while presenting it as a family adventure, then you'll be absolutely 100% fine.

We have moved many times, including for 3rd grade, from the West coast to the East. There is always a settling in period, but if you're active about getting your kids involved in after school activities and having play dates, it works quite quickly for them. And you kind of have to resign yourself to it taking a bit longer for you.

[Anonymous]

We moved out of state (left the DC area) last summer and our kids were entering 3rd and 1st. They did remarkably well. I'm often surprised at how well they've adjusted. They love their new school, new neighborhood, new friends... it was very easy. I moved a lot as a kid and it wasn't difficult in elementary school - high school, however, was a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

We moved here when my oldest was entering 1st grade. It was tough but we have a sensitive kid who liked to remind us frequently how much she missed her previous town/state. To her - the grass is always greener on the other side. So it wasn't a cake-walk by any means. It involved a lot of tears. But, I would never let that stop me from taking a new opportunity.

[Anonymous]

I personally don't think this area is good for long-term living and raising kids. I know plenty will disagree but I say, get out if you have the chance!

[Anonymous]

I think it should be fine.
My family moved from Massachusetts to California the summer before I went into 8th grade. I had younger siblings going into 4th and 5th grade. They did great adjusting.
It was much harder for me--middle school is just awful.
So if you're going to need to move, I think now is a better time than in 2 or 3 years when your oldest will be in middle school.