If/when he gets the offer, you'll have to go visit to look for housing. But there's no point in going now. Use the time to get ready for your impending move, if you're pretty sure it's likely.

We've moved a number of times, and I always need time to mourn the loss of my old house/environs before I can move on to my new one. Visiting the new place doesn't help that process, strangely. You're going to be there, so do your research now, and make the best decisions before and when you move. You may be surprised and like a lot of things about your new city. But you'll miss what you don't have if you don't properly mourn. I mean that very seriously. I didn't do that for our last move (it was totally rushed), and I'm still mourning, two years later. Take the time to appreciate what you have now, before it's gone.

Anonymous wrote:PP 06:14 you are right. I guess I don't have to go until we get/accept the offer. Saves us some time, $$ and saves my kids some unwanted travel. It's a major city so i'm sure it will be fine. It's not a city i would ever consider otherwise so I am a bit apprehensive but ... jobs are so tight right now (even in science) it will be a wonder just to get an offer, let alone worrying about the city. Thanks for all the thoughtful input.

That pretty much narrows it down anyway--there are only a handful of major cities, and hundreds of minor ones.

My dh and I were able to make 4 trips to the new place before relocating cross-country years ago for a new job. OK that was 10+ years ago, but companies tend to allow multiple trips for this sort of thing. I made one trip alone, we made one trip together, and 2 more trips w/the kids.

Research, tour with google earth, read their news sites. It sounds like you're going if an offer is made, so save the money now.

I wouldnt. If your DH is interviewing for a job in another city, it must be a pretty great gig. Dont spoil it by going along and deciding you dont like the town..which is impossible to decide in a short visit.

Im not saying DONT educate yourself on the new town, but do it with the perspective of - yes , we are moving to Des Moines so now lets pick the right neighborhood, schools, church etc., and not from the perspective of- if I dont like what I see in the first day or two, we're not moving.

PP 06:14 you are right. I guess I don't have to go until we get/accept the offer. Saves us some time, $$ and saves my kids some unwanted travel. It's a major city so i'm sure it will be fine. It's not a city i would ever consider otherwise so I am a bit apprehensive but ... jobs are so tight right now (even in science) it will be a wonder just to get an offer, let alone worrying about the city. Thanks for all the thoughtful input.

i'm an academic and i wonder if you really need to go and see the city. Would you really have your DH turn down a good job offer in this city if you didn't like it? Most academics I know pretty much make this decision before applying (or before agreeing to final interviews) because it can damage your reputation in a field if you go through the whole process (that costs the hiring department a lot of money and forecloses them looking at other candidates) and turn down a competitive offer. The rule of thumb is don't take an interview at a school you wouldn't take a job at. I bet your husband has already decided that an offer means he is taking the job.

You definitely need to see the town before he accepts the offer. The only question is whether it's easiest for you to go with him now, or to make another trip a few days or weeks later. Personally, I might do.a.separate trip, because I'd worry that I could inadvertently distracthim from interview prep. But not everyone would worry like I do.

Make it into a fun little trip.

Informed decisions are for pansies.

You should, like, totally google it.

No, just move there without ever having seen the town. Think Christmas morning: surprises can be fun!

I would. Did this before our last move and was really happy to have done so.

Interview is at a public univ. and we may not have time for a family visit when/if he gets an offer -- which is likely. Should I just spend the $$ and go with him to scope the new town? TIA.