My DH mentioned this to me when our DD was 2 when we started her 529 (she's 5 now). I told him I didnt think it would be a good idea (especially because it would the only reason for the move). Not to mention........how do we know where she wants to go to school?

Anonymous wrote:Another exception in VA is if a parent works in VA and pays VA state income taxes then your child can get in-state tuition. You would need to do this at least a year in advance. That might be easier then moving your whole family.

If you live in MD and work in DC, you do not pay VA income tax, due to tax reciprocity agreements between the states. Besides, the proof of residency in VA usually includes that the person has RESIDED in VA for a year.

So your kids have to go to a state school? That's awfully limiting. What if they want to go to Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts, or California? Or what if they would prefer a smaller college?

In other words, no WAY would I move for this reason.

A lot of Northern VA kids are starting to go to out of state universities, because the most popular schools like UVA, VT, and JMU have become very tough to get into, even for excellent students. If that ends up being the case, then you will have moved for nothing. Yes, VA has a lot of universities, but many of them are not the ones that a really great student will want to attend. I say this as a VA native and alumni of one of the schools you mentioned.

As for UMD, why wouldn't your child get the "full college experience", if they were attending there? Most of the kids I know who are students, including my child, come home about as often as they would if they went out of state (which is not very often). UMD is an excellent university, with a great campus, and a lot to offer. Other popular MD schools the friends of my children attend are Salisbury, UMBC, and Towson. UMBC has a really great reputation for STEM majors.

Anonymous wrote:I think a move in middle school would be traumatizing. too late IMO.

As a kid that has moved several times, moving in middle school is much easier than moving in high school.

Another exception in VA is if a parent works in VA and pays VA state income taxes then your child can get in-state tuition. You would need to do this at least a year in advance. That might be easier then moving your whole family.

If your child chooses a major that is not available in a Maryland University, you will be able to get in-state tuition at a Virginia University that does offer it. In fact, the Southeastern agreement goes all the way down to Florida. My middle son was able to go to UNC at in-state tuition because of his major. Can't now though, Va Tech got Optical Physics lab two years ago. However, it can be done!

If they are happy n their schools with a good group of friends, I'd let them stay.

People move in middle school all the time! and in VA a good chunk is military so there is constant turn over. Do look closely at the acceptance rates for the schools. You would be surprised as to how few kids do get in from NOVA. The joke in VA is that it is easier to get into school from out of state as opposed to in-state. You could always move to VA after your kids get in.

I think a move in middle school would be traumatizing. too late IMO.

Good idea, but no! Not a one.

Hmm woudl Virginia PrePaid 529 work? Says only the accoujnt owner neesd to be a VA resident, and only at the time the acct is opened. Got any close relatives living in VA?
http://www.virginia529.com/features-and-benefits/flexible/index.php

Well, that's true, but they are very good students and I expect they would get into one of them at least.

What if they don't get into a va school?

I live in Montgomery County and really like it, MS- age kids are happy in good schools, we like our house ...

but I keep looking at in-state tuition for very good Virginia universities and comparing it with our more limited options in Maryland. Aside from UM College Park, I don't know that there are really attractive options. And even College Park isn't ideal -- so large, and not really far enough away from home to constitute what I consider a real college experience.

Contrast that with Virginia options ... UVA, William and Mary, Virginia Tech, and JMU ... they all seem so much better. And the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition is so significant. I could pay my kids' tuition in state without any issue at all.

Would you move just to get in-state tuition in Virginia?