DC v. other location

[Anonymous]

Is it unreasonable to think that AP is going to be happy with us in DC for year two, when she could literally go anywhere in the USA for year two? I worry that even though she signed on for year 2, she will be unhappy.

[Anonymous]

I see pros and cons about staying. When we offered to extend with our AP, we had a serious conversation with her about her options and we were clear that we were going to support her if she decided to extend either with with another family locally, or go somewhere else. Our AP ensured us that she thought about her options but that she would rather stay with us. She had a great second year. So did we.

Why do you think that your AP will be bored? Were you bored in DC your second year living here?

[Anonymous]

Responding to pp. At 20 I’d rather have been in nyc for sure! She seems to love it there when we visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Responding to pp. At 20 I’d rather have been in nyc for sure! She seems to love it there when we visit.

I would have loved to live in NYC in my 20's, but that does mean that I would have been bored in DC in my second year. I assume your AP is risk averse and would rather stay with you than risking ending up at a sh*tty family in NYC and then facing the option of (a) re-matching god knows where or (b) going home. This does not mean that she will be bored. DC is a pretty good gig for APs: there are lots of APs around, the city is very manageable, and there is a lot going on.

[Anonymous]

Does AP have a lot of friends who are also extending in DC for another year? In my mind this is way more important on a day to day basis than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Not everyone is in love with NYC enough to live there. Out very favorite AP turned down a job in Manhattan to match with us in Ashburn. She would have been one of 2 APs (each working 8hr shifts). Completely against the rules, but the 2 AP would share their own 2BR apartment in Manhattan in the same building as the family. It sounded like a dream job to me. That would have been a lifestyle few can imagine. She declined because she didn't think it intimate enough and she doesn't like cities.

We have a spectacular relationship with her and she returns every summer to visit with us the whole summer. She's hoping to get a job here when she graduates in a year. She only visited DC a small handful of times and preferred the beach, going down to JMU with friends she met, rollerblading on the WOD, hiking, and going to the gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it unreasonable to think that AP is going to be happy with us in DC for year two, when she could literally go anywhere in the USA for year two? I worry that even though she signed on for year 2, she will be unhappy.

I'm sure that if she wanted to be somewhere else, she would let you know. If she's happy, she's happy. If she wanted to move on, she'd have told you. Be grateful that you have another year with a familiar and reliable AP!

DC is super fun for APs. There are tons of APs, tons to do, and travel from here is easy.

[Anonymous]

This is such an individual preference. We had one AP who was with us here for 2 years, then went home and got a student visa and returned to the area after that. About to begin her 4th year in the area. All her choice. She just came over yesterday to celebrate Father’s Day with us.