Decisions, Decisions

Upon our return to IL last month, Michael and I started talking about our wishes to move back to the Midwest.  We said, hey - let's save money, quit our jobs, move across the country, find a new place to live, new jobs, new childcare, and all that fun stuff.  YAY!

As much as we would love to come back...I don't know if that is possible right now.  Yeah, we're putting job feelers out right now, but when there are 200 people applying for one position, what is the likelihood of getting said position?

On top of all of that, let's be honest.  We both have great paying jobs - Michael loves his, and I at least like the people I work with.  So it doesn't challenge me in the least - big deal.  They are paying me money to do things that are easy to me.  About a million people in this city would gladly take over for me, so I need to be thankful for what I have.  We love our daycare, and we have some great friends.

Our biggest thing is that we miss our family so, so much - which is why we seem to have this same conversation every time we go home.  The grass is always greener on the other side.  Ok, say we move - yeah, we are closer to home, but why take a chance of getting a job that pays less, or that we are less happy in?  What about the stress of moving across the country again, only this time with a 7 month old and a dog?

On the other hand, if we stay, we need to get a house.  The housing market is great to buy right now, but not to sell.  What if we don't stay for more than 2 years?  Do we still leave, and try to sell?  What about trying to rent it out via a management company?  But won't EVERYONE be trying to do that?  However, we need to get a house because  I am not going to continue paying $1050 in rent for a two bedroom apartment when we could get a three bedroom two bath 1400 square foot house for $90,000 in a good part of town.  I'm just not going to do it.

We are confused on where to go next.  On one hand, we leave, spend a ton of money that we've saved up to buy a house to move, get lower paying jobs, but live closer to home.  On the other hand, stay in a city that is sinking faster than the Titantic, but have the money to put down on a dirt cheap (but good) starter house, while being away from family.  Plus, both of our jobs seem pretty darn secure at the moment.

So, the next few months will be telling.  Our lease ends next August - at that time, we are either moving back to the Midwest, or buying a house and settling down here for a few more years.  We'll be looking for a house in Nevada, and jobs in the Midwest - all at the same time.  Either way we go, it's a gamble.

Being an adult sucks.