8-3-2014 DETERMINE WHAT TO DO TO GET ANOTHER HOME. WHERE DO WE GO?

Ok, we've decided to move, we've decided on what to keep, what not to keep, what to store, what-what-what.

Now, to determine where to move. (this does go hand in hand with the decision to move, but I decided to split them up for the sake of brevity. It makes the blog easier to read, when it's broken up into smaller, bite-sized pieces, yes??)

WHERE?
NO, a dartboard of the world won't help unless you just want a couple of vacation homes in different countries and are independently wealthy.

1. Do we want to move by family?
Suppose your family was living in Utah and New Mexico.

PROS:
Face it, you've already thought about this one and started looking at homes already.

• They know the area and so do you, if you'd stayed with them a couple of times.
• The climate for the whole year, all four seasons, agrees with you.
• You know the 'hidden' costs, i.e. A/C in Albuquerque NM would be a high cost.
• You know the 'hidden' issues, i.e. the scenery is beautiful in Utah, the people are pretty much great, but it's basically a DRY state meaning alcohol is sold grudgingly, and basically NO night life. Don't even think about having a wild 4th of July party! The scenery is beautiful in Albuquerque too, but at least you can get alcohol without being stared at as a pariah. (FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN UTAH: sorry about my assumptions about Utah, but it's what I've seen and experienced in 10 or so years. Also, it's my opinion, yours may be different, it's all good! I like Utah a lot, but to live there...) 
• You know the housing, what the homes go for, what they usually look like, the costs, the taxes, and homes for sale in your price range that have what you want. E.g., for some reason in Albuquerque, hardly ANYONE has a pool in their backyard! Hot tubs yes, but hardly any pools! I know it's the driest city in the entire country, that may be the reason because the water would evaporate quickly (I guess), but DAMMIT, I'm USED to a pool, I want my grandson to learn to swim!!!
• You can find out more about the area and type of people living there i.e. high/low crime, low housing costs, type of vendors/shopping/activities, and compare these to your own current area. Hey, you just may decide the grass ISN'T greener on the other side and want to stay put! (see my previous post on deciding to move or not)
• There had to be SOME good reason for them to move there!
• When you die, at least some of the family will be able to go to your funeral.
• You could go halves on a lot of stuff, like tools. 
• There's a possibility that the family member needs you a lot, and it'd be easier to live by them vs. driving to them. 

CONS:
I betcha you've thought of THIS stuff too, and have either dismissed it, or gone on to the next question.

• Um, maybe family doesn't WANT you there?
• Maybe you don't want to move close to family, especially if they have young ones and you KNOW you're going to be stuck with babysitting.
• Might always be hit up for money or 'help', no matter what your circumstances or schedule. Hey, you're right there, you've pretty much always been there for them, what's to stop them now?
• They always thought of your home as 'their' home, so nothing will keep them from going to your house, eating your food, 'borrowing' your makeup/tools/kitchen stuff etc.
• HOWEVER, there's NO WAY they'd feel the same way about their home and you! You'd almost always have to call ahead and make sure it's 'ok'. Remember, YOU used to want that at the beginning, if family wanted to come over to your new place!

2. Do we want to move away from family?

PROS:

• It's be like a vacation to go to them, and the same if they came to you. You wouldn't fight as much (if you do). I hope.
• You would move to a place that suits you better than where they are, i.e. Albuquerque would suit hubs more than Utah. 
• You'd be away from them, so they COULDN'T go into your house, eat your food, borrow your stuff, unless they were coming for a visit. The borrowing would STILL be at a minimum.

CONS: 

• (See 'PROS' in the 'Do we want to move close to family' paragraph)

3. Do we want to move in the same general area/county/state/region/country/hemisphere, or totally out? Sorry about that last, I guess the Space Station isn't condo-ized yet.