The dilemna of not wanting to move back to LI, but wanting kids to grow up around their cousins! (2015, new house)

[BGlove]

Over all you have to do what’s best for your family (spouse and kids) and what would make you the happiest. Would you need to work extra to make things work? Would you have to pass on things bc you can’t afford it?

We have cousins the same age and with everyone’s busy schedule we see each other for holidays or about 1 time a month. We enjoy each others company but things are always a little hectic when all together but the kids have a great time together. These are also kids under 5 so we don’t have school activities or other friends yet.

[OhBeeHave]

My husband and I have remained on LI and watched as our siblings moved to other states. My parents moved down south, his parents are now deceased.

What happens if the OP moves here and experiences what I have? His move will have been for naught. He'll be here with high taxes, congestion, and all the sundry unpleasantness.

[hotkarl]

We had almost moved for family. To be close to them.
Thank god we didn't.
There was a death, a move out of the state by my nephew and now the remainder have buyers remorse and are considering moving back to LI. What a horror show.
To think if we had actually made the move and all of the drama that unfolded.

[longislanddude]

I would stay put. LI's high cost of living is not worth it. Old houses with sky high property taxes and insane valuations (for such old houses) is not worth it. Then there's the traffic to deal with. Sounds like you're happy where you are. As others have mentioned, take time off and drive down to see family more often instead. Good luck.

[DonaldJTrump]

Move to long island. .. hell no

[blernard]

Where on LI is your family? If you can live anywhere for work, the NYC commute isn't a factor and thus you can avoid extremely costly areas that are expensive mainly for city proximity.

Lots of "do not move" answers here. Take that advice with a grain of salt. Being near family is so important and if your job allows you to do so, then why not. Will you have a larger home for the same price where you are? Yes. But what good is it if you don't have your family to share it with?

[markjames68]

The big if about moving back is if family is not only present but engaged.

You can live 10 miles away but only see each other a couple of times a year due to work and personal commitments. In that case sometimes staying away makes it more of an “event” and special.

[StanFischlerHockE]

Dont move back to LI. Have the annual visit more often the cousins will have a lot more fun when they dont see each other everyday. Not worth it. House are so old. Think about base board heating...oil heat...15k property taxes. Ha ha no way!

[shamrock4]

Think about renting a big beach house (or 2 smaller ones) for a family get-together every year in NC or SC. Lot of families do that as everyone gets to spend time together, has lots of available activities and nobody is cramming into somebody's house to visit.

We did that for several years after leaving NY and all the family enjoyed it. When kids get older here comes the sport games every weekend, birthday parties, teenage jobs, etc. and you don't get together as much as you thought. Or people in the family get tired of all the work involved in hosting family dinners, etc., which has happened to some I know. Don't blame them, either.

I would never move back to LI. Too crowded, too expensive and poor quality of life compared to where we live now.

[VA Yankee]

Your kids don't pay the bills and eventually they will move on and start their lives. Stay where you are and as others mentioned have a family meet at the beach or have the cousins come out and visit you or you go to the island to visit.