The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids in Oklahoma City
The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids in Oklahoma City
Family is valuable, and when you live apart it's hard to see each other very often. While telephones and video calls have dimished that distance, it's never quite the same as being able to physically see your loved ones. If you're considering moving closer to your children, or to your grandchildren, you should carefully consider every part of that resolution. Because it is effortless to see only the positives, without really considering the disadvantages. And for every up there is a down, which is why it is a grand idea to compare and contrast what the future might hold if you decide to make that move to Oklahoma City.
The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids
Pro: You Get More Family Time
Even busy families can schedule time to grab brunch or see a weekend show, assuming they live fairly close together. It also means you won't miss holidays, birthdays, and other important events like recitals, school field trips, etc. that grandkids seem to have at times. That is a compelling reason for many older parents to try to close the physical distance between themselves, and the rest of their families.
Con: You Have Limited Options
If the rest of your family previously has taken up residence in a particular city, then you must take that city as it is. That means you have fewer selections when it comes to budgets, locations, and other factors that are usually available for you when considering relocating. Depending on your resources and your personal needs, you might not be able to find a new abode that gives you all the things you require.
Pro: You Have a Support Network in Oklahoma City
Even if you are unaccustomed to your new location, you'll have a support system with your family. They can help integrate you, give you the grand tour, and get you up-to-speed on what your new location offers. That is a big plus, particularly for retirees who may have issues asking for help, or starting a new social network in Oklahoma City from scratch.
Con: It Can Be Hard to Balance Everything
Just because you're a parent or a grandparent doesn't mean you don't have a life to live. You have interests and pastimes, and you might even still be working on your career. Just because your kids have grown up (and in some instances had kids of their own) doesn’t mean you don't have things to do, still. If you live near your family, though, you might feel pressure to put that by the wayside so that you can be more involved with your loved ones.
Pro: New Opportunities
If the area you're moving to has things your current hometown doesn't, then that can be a gigantic advantage for you. Whether it's better social services to help you with your needs, a more engaging social scene, or just an economy where your money goes further than it does where you currently live. You need to meticulously assess where you're moving to, and try to discover positive aspects of it that will allow you to feel like part of the community.
Con: The Cost
Even if you have a small house of possessions, and you're moving a relatively short distance, it's going to cost you time, money and effort to move. Those costs need to be calculated and their impact thought about, before you commit to move. Because even if you can afford your final destination; you want to be closer to your family; and there are opportunities there, the cost of moving might be enough to keep you in place.