Relocation: NYC Area to Upstate NY- Is the Grass Greener??
Posted 01-04-2019 at 12:11 PM by Katenb13080
You bring up so many valid points in your post. The brutal commute due to poor public transportation, lack of free time and family time for coaching children... this is exactly what we are dealing with right now.
And what's worse, on the weekends my husband is just so burnt out and tired that he does't have the energy on the weekends to engage with the kids.
He's also been complaining of back pain and I am beginning to wonder if it is more stress related than physical.
Do you mind if I ask what line of work you were in? The commute and lifestyle that you mention sounds a lot like what we are dealing with- 5am out of the house/not home until 6:30p. Can I ask what company you worked for in the city and Albany.
My biggest reservation is the shift in financial security and while I have no doubt my husband will find a job, I am concerned it won't provide the same level of intensity/fulfillment that he gets now on the trading floor.
I am really interested in finding relevant career opportunities that would align well with his skillset while still offering a less stressful work environment.
Thank you! And congrats on your retirement!
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And what's worse, on the weekends my husband is just so burnt out and tired that he does't have the energy on the weekends to engage with the kids.
He's also been complaining of back pain and I am beginning to wonder if it is more stress related than physical.
Do you mind if I ask what line of work you were in? The commute and lifestyle that you mention sounds a lot like what we are dealing with- 5am out of the house/not home until 6:30p. Can I ask what company you worked for in the city and Albany.
My biggest reservation is the shift in financial security and while I have no doubt my husband will find a job, I am concerned it won't provide the same level of intensity/fulfillment that he gets now on the trading floor.
I am really interested in finding relevant career opportunities that would align well with his skillset while still offering a less stressful work environment.
Thank you! And congrats on your retirement!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Q44
We made the move from LI/NYC to the Albany area 15 years ago. It was definitely a good move for us, but everyone's situation is different. First and foremost I transferred within the same company so I already had a good paying job. Additionally although our company has a NYC differential my new department agreed to match my downstate salary and placed no holds on raises.
Secondly, we at the time both had family in the area, though my wife's parents have since opted to give up snowbirding and have moved to FL full-time.
Now for the all important affect on lifestyle. When living on LI (I'm originally from NYC) I lived just under 50 miles from Midtown but my commute was close to 2 1/2 hours each way most of which was the result of the LIRR and its aversion to being on time. I caught the 5:07am train each morning and my return train pulled in around 6:30pm each night. With 3 young kids it's not how I wanted to live. The thing that pushed me to do something about it was 9/11. I figured there had to be a better way. Fortunately there was a department within my company in Albany I dealt with frequently that said if I wanted a change of scenery they would take me immediately. Wife and I both knew the area very well and looked at several towns based mostly on school district performance. We chose the town of Kinderhook about 20 miles southeast of Albany. My commute each way by car became under 25 minutes each way. It's amazing what leaving for work in daylight and getting home before 5pm can do for somebody. I had so much more time I was able to coach my kids' basketball teams and get involved in several other activities and hobbies. It's not just the time saved from the shorter commute either. it's being alert and coherent the rest of the time since the shorter commute and in my case less pressure in the new job made for a better life.
Part of the decision to pick the town we're in is not only was it convenient for work and very pretty is that it's easy to go back downstate when we want. We can drive or if we don't want the hassle we can take Amtrak from Hudson. It's the third busiest Amtrak station in NY and there are people who actually commute daily. The trip if on time is just over 2 hours. It's not cheap but there is a monthly ticket available. For us it's just more of a convenience if we want to spend the day in Manhattan.
The move worked out great for us, in fact I just retired and we've decided to stay where we are.
Secondly, we at the time both had family in the area, though my wife's parents have since opted to give up snowbirding and have moved to FL full-time.
Now for the all important affect on lifestyle. When living on LI (I'm originally from NYC) I lived just under 50 miles from Midtown but my commute was close to 2 1/2 hours each way most of which was the result of the LIRR and its aversion to being on time. I caught the 5:07am train each morning and my return train pulled in around 6:30pm each night. With 3 young kids it's not how I wanted to live. The thing that pushed me to do something about it was 9/11. I figured there had to be a better way. Fortunately there was a department within my company in Albany I dealt with frequently that said if I wanted a change of scenery they would take me immediately. Wife and I both knew the area very well and looked at several towns based mostly on school district performance. We chose the town of Kinderhook about 20 miles southeast of Albany. My commute each way by car became under 25 minutes each way. It's amazing what leaving for work in daylight and getting home before 5pm can do for somebody. I had so much more time I was able to coach my kids' basketball teams and get involved in several other activities and hobbies. It's not just the time saved from the shorter commute either. it's being alert and coherent the rest of the time since the shorter commute and in my case less pressure in the new job made for a better life.
Part of the decision to pick the town we're in is not only was it convenient for work and very pretty is that it's easy to go back downstate when we want. We can drive or if we don't want the hassle we can take Amtrak from Hudson. It's the third busiest Amtrak station in NY and there are people who actually commute daily. The trip if on time is just over 2 hours. It's not cheap but there is a monthly ticket available. For us it's just more of a convenience if we want to spend the day in Manhattan.
The move worked out great for us, in fact I just retired and we've decided to stay where we are.
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Please keep in mind that these lesser-populated blog pages are for journaling only. Thanks.Posted 01-04-2019 at 03:46 PM by case44
