Move out of DC with 3 kids to Southern CT area?

[Anonymous]

There’s an internal job opening in Stamford (same role I am in now). We have 3 kids under 10yrs old and are in public schools in DC. We love being able to walk to places here in DC and our short commutes (when we actually went in to office) but after 10 years of living here, wondering if now is the time for a change and I grew up in NY. The cost of living seems more expensive up there but next year we would be looking at going private down here for middle school anyway and they seem to have better public schools there. We also have one child with an IEP. Should I apply? I welcome any input. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s an internal job opening in Stamford (same role I am in now). We have 3 kids under 10yrs old and are in public schools in DC. We love being able to walk to places here in DC and our short commutes (when we actually went in to office) but after 10 years of living here, wondering if now is the time for a change and I grew up in NY. The cost of living seems more expensive up there but next year we would be looking at going private down here for middle school anyway and they seem to have better public schools there. We also have one child with an IEP. Should I apply? I welcome any input. Thank you.

If you can work in Stamford but live in Greenwich for the public schools I'd do it. We have been in DC area for about the same amount of time and I'd go back up there in a second.

[Anonymous]

Good luck finding housing. It’s nearly impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck finding housing. It’s nearly impossible.

Really? Meaning buying a home or renting a home? Is this because of Covid and everyone leaving NYC plus low mortgage rates/hot real estate market?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck finding housing. It’s nearly impossible.

I recently saw a friend who is a real estate agent in Wilton. She had 14 showings in one day the other weekend. In addition, last summer they rented their house out for 8 weeks to a family from NYC and got roughly a year’s worth of her earnings by doing so (they had somewhere else to go during that time). She said it’s been crazy.

[Anonymous]

I would think it is more expensive to live up there than here. Taxes are higher but schools are better. You would need a major bump in pay to justify a move like that I would think due to cost of living.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Shippan pre-kids. I’d go back in a hot second.

[Anonymous]

OP, this sounds wonderful. I hope you go for it. Kind of sounds like you would love to do it.

[Anonymous]

Yes go for it but as others have said real estate is insane there but go for it and hopefully you get a raise as well to relocate!

[Anonymous]

Yes way better schools. Do it!

[Anonymous]

I would think it’s more expensive. You would need 2 cars, a home in a desirable location in CT is expensive and real estate taxes are higher. But that area is so pretty. Darien, Westport, new Canaan.

[Anonymous]

Much more $$ there so if no pay raise be ready to cut back. A lot.

[Anonymous]

Considerably more expensive there.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks all. I spoke with hiring manager today and he said no pay raise as cost of living should be same as dc. They could help with moving expenses but that would likely be it. Lateral move as same job as I have now but the attractiveness of public schools up there there and those schools being open vs dcps and also having family up there is nice. Having said that, If it’s more expensive, not sure it’s worth the stress. They said I can work remotely right now so wouldn’t have to move right away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks all. I spoke with hiring manager today and he said no pay raise as cost of living should be same as dc. They could help with moving expenses but that would likely be it. Lateral move as same job as I have now but the attractiveness of public schools up there there and those schools being open vs dcps and also having family up there is nice. Having said that, If it’s more expensive, not sure it’s worth the stress. They said I can work remotely right now so wouldn’t have to move right away.

I feel like the cost of living COULD be lower there, but there is a LOT of money up there. So, it’s very easy to feel poor. I love that area, and I’d do it in a second. Schools are much much better than any publics here.