The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
Family is important, and when you live with many miles between it's hard to spend time with each other regularly. While telephones and video calls have shrunk that distance, it's never quite the same as being able to actually see your loved ones. If you are considering moving closer to your family, you should scrupulously consider every part of that decision. Because it's simple to see only the positives, without truly considering the negatives. And for every up there is a down, which is why it is a wise idea to compare and contrast what you'll be getting if you choose to make that move to Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids
Pro: You Get More Family Time
Even active families can schedule time to catch brunch or catch a weekend flick, provided they live relatively close together. It also means you won't miss holidays, birthdays, and other valuable events like recitals, sporting events, etc. that grandkids tend to have at times. That is a compelling reason for many older parents to try to close the gap between themselves, and the rest of their families.
Con: You Have Limited Options
If the rest of your family already lives in a particular city, then you will be required to take that city on its own terms. That means you have limited choices when it comes to budgets, locations, and other options that are frequently available for you when thinking about moving. Depending on your resources and your personal needs, you might not find a new home that gives you all the things you need.
Pro: You Have a Support Network in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
Even if you are unaccustomed to your new locale, you'll have a support network with your family. They can help assimilate you, give you the grand tour, and get you up-to-speed on what your new town offers. That's a wonderful plus, particularly for seniors who may have hesitations about asking for help, or starting a new social network in Tulsa and Oklahoma City from scratch.
Con: It Can Be Hard to Balance Your Own Life
Just because you're a parent or a grandparent doesn't mean you don't have your own life to attend to. 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 cases had kids of their own) doesn’t mean you don't have plenty to do, still. If you live near your family, though, you might feel pressure to put that by the wayside so that you can spend more time with your loved ones.
Pro: New Opportunities
If the locale you're moving to has things your current area doesn't, then that can be a gigantic advantage for you. Whether it's more robust 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 carefully assess where you are relocating to, and try to uncover 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 with possessions, and you're moving a somewhat short distance, it's going to cost you time, money and effort to move. Those costs should be calculated and their impact pondered, 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 shackle you in place.