[Perpsterwho]

My husband and I raised five children, including one with severe disabilities. We were always low income, but did it mostly on our own. Not using assistance much, sometimes we took advantage of food stamps when one of us was laid off. We bought a house, it is old and in disrepair, but it is all we have. We are in our fifties. My husband has been laid off for a year and has been going to school to be retrained as an Energy Management specialist. He has just completed the first year and has another to go. I currently work 32 hours a week as a Social Worker at $10 per hour. Hubby collects unemployment and is on his third extension. My husband has been offered a job @ 20 per hour in another state. It is about ten hours from here. My job is secure. We cannot sell the house for two reasons, this economy and its condition. We are in a quandry about what it is we should do. Live apart, supporting two homes, fix the house and try and sell it ( might take a year or more), same problem with renting (needs to be fixed up). This job seems like a dream come true, opportunity abounds... Any other ideas. Are we crazy to try and do this or should we stay on our current path, which is stay here, finish school. We need to do something right now so that we will be able to retire. Very confused. I should add that we have next to nothing as far as retirement.

[Wondergirl]

Can he continue school in the new location, or even as distance learning with his current school?

You certainly should be able to find a job at the new location, right?

Do you owe much on your mortgage? What about renting out your house at a low rate?

Would you be going from country to city or small town to city or what?

I'm thinking that moving would be the better option.

[Perpsterwho]

Can he continue school in the new location, or even as distance learning with his current school?

You certainly should be able to find a job at the new location, right?

Do you owe much on your mortgage? What about renting out your house at a low rate?

Would you be going from country to city or small town to city or what?

I'm thinking that moving would be the better option.

We are checking in to the schooling issue, his instructor up here told him that it was available, but when we checked it was not the same program. He has e-mailed the school to find out if they are close, etc.

Yes, I should have no problem finding a job, but I might add that I love my job, have been doing it for many years. It is very specialized and dear to my heart.

We owe less than 50,000.

We would be moving from a medium sized city, 200,000 people to a very large metropolitan area. Sacramento California.

This is very emotional to us, as we would be moving away from our children, our grandchildren, (one of which we have helped raise for 4 years. Plus the fact that I am very attached to my job.

He will be leaving in two days, and for now I will stay here. But we really need a plan. Did I mention that we are very attached, have been married for thirty years.

Thanks so much for your reply.:)

[Wondergirl]

Yes, I should have no problem finding a job, but I might add that I love my job, have been doing it for many years. It is very specialized and dear to my heart.

I totally understand. Last September, because of illness, I was forced to quit my job, the job I have loved doing for 25 years. I was the expert, the go-to person, so I was filled with guilt and anxiety that no one could replace me, and I would nearly die of a broken heart from missing coworkers and patrons. No, they couldn't replace me and haven't, and my job is now broken up into little pieces of itself. But the library is still standing, and, I'm healed, so have found new reasons to get up in the morning.

A new job will give you new adventures too!