I think it depends on the kids. We moved first when my eldest had just finished 1st. She made friends easily in 2nd. We moved again after her 4th grade year and when my youngest had just finished her 1st grade year. It’s been rooooough. It has taken a long time for the younger one to find her people because she’s just slow to warm up. We’re now looking at privates and the younger one is devastated by the potential change.

I think we often throw the “kids are resilient!” line out there and while it can be true, some kids don’t do so great with change, in which case, the earlier the better.

We moved right in time for K, but there were several families coming and going all the way to current 3rd grade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree doesn't matter in early grades. We actually moved right before 3rd and I was so stressed about it and it worked out fine. Kids make friends fast in early grades.

I do think moving earlier will help YOU make friends at the school more easily. That was absolutely the harder part for us. Our kid had friends and was happy within a few months, whereas I still felt a little awkward and out of place at PTA meetings and family events for a lot longer. But even that only took about a year and now I don't think anyone cares that we haven't been around since K. You just keep showing up and are friendly and remember names and eventually it gets easier.

This.

I think this is overstated. We moved to our current house the year before our oldest started kindergarten. She is now a senior. None of the people I met during the PTA events/birthday party years became my friends. Friendly acquaintances yes, people I wave and smile at yes, but friends, no. And if I moved away I wouldn’t stay in contact.