concerns about relocating

Ouch! Have you gone to the first announcement on this forum which directs you to click here if new to the board?

If you haven't, then you should do so and then carefully go through all the information posted as it pertains to your situation, including stories from people who've relocated with families.

It's a tough call but if the $50K/pa salary is IT and there isn't any housing included and limited other benefits, it's not going to be not only not easy but almost impossible. I'm sure others on this board can help with more details but please first do that basic research!

Good luck!

I do know that at least Montessori offers discounts for second, third, etc. child in the same family. That said, the tuition for a child in the La Casa program for the 8:30 to 5:30 schedule is $900+ per month. If you are a SAHM or can pick up your kids at the end of the school day, you can avoid paying the cost of the additional programs.
check out their website here:

www.vimontessori.com

Hi Jennifer.

If you read this thread: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,39402,39760#msg-39760 you will see a post by "Teresa." She has young children in the public school system here on STT and is satisfied with the education they're receiving. If you have specific questions you can click on her name and send her a private message and I suspect she will respond. You can also serch this message board for past discussions about schools on STT.

I think Teresa will have a lot to say as her experiences have been very up and down.

I'll leave it to her to answer you if what you read about her experiences (search "Teresa" on the search engine on this forum for all she's written) doesn't answer all your questions. Cheers.

I'm here!

One big SIGH and then... Okay, if I am to be brutally honest. There is no way you can make it on $50,000 on STT with three kids. That is my opinion of course. If you are seriously considering making the move. I can give you a break down of living expenses and give you more of an insight. I do speak from experience. I have lived on STT for two years with husband and three kids 8, 6, and 2.5 years old. We make more than $50,000 and barely live comfortably. I would say we live slightly uncomfortably actually. We live in the cheapest three bedroom rental we could find that was nice. We do not have air conditioning (which we would love to have and sometimes need to have). I work a part time job and used to work two part time jobs to supplement our income. We cannot afford private school. Public is okay for elementary, but I will have to get a full time good paying job to pay for junior high private schools (which will be a necessity if the school system doesn't improve drastically). I can't afford day care unless I get a better paying part time job. We live for the weekends when we can relax, but we don't get to the beach much at all. I am just trying to say that life won't be fab or even close to paradise even on an island if you can't afford groceries. 🙁 I know I sound negative, but I just would hate for you to move here and be miserable.

It isn't impossible if you want it that bad, but I would think that there are better places on the mainland to try first. Areas of Florida are better than here (meaning schools and communities) and you could live on that salary.

Just my two cents. I am more than willing to give you more specifics if you want. Just ask! Good luck with your decision.

Teresa

One more thing, as far as public school goes:
I hear that Sibilly school (public) on the North Side is very good.
Thus, if you want to get in there you would have to rent/buy a home in the school district.
Not sure if Teresa, you tried this, but I thought I would throw it out there.