The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids in Dallas

The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids in Dallas

Family is valuable, and when you live apart it's difficult to spend time with each other frequently. While telephones and video calls have helped to decrease that distance, it's never quite the same as being able to physically be with your loved ones. If you might be thinking about moving closer to your children, or to your grandchildren, you should carefully scrutinize every part of that resolution. Because it is easy to see only the advantages, without really considering the disadvantages. And for every up there is a down, which is why it is a good idea to compare and contrast what you'll be getting if you decide to make that move to Dallas.

The Pros and Cons of Moving Closer to Kids or Grandkids

Pro: You Get More Family Time

Even active families can make time to have brunch or see a weekend flick, provided they live fairly close together. It also means you won't miss holidays, birthdays, and other important events like recitals, sporting events, etc. that grandkids tend to have regularly. 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 previously lives in a certain city, then you have to take that city as it is. That means you have limited selections when it comes to budgets, locations, and other factors that are usually available for you when thinking about moving. Depending on your resources and your personal needs, you might not locate a new residence that gives you everything you need.

Pro: You Have a Support Network in Dallas

Even if you are unaccustomed to your new area, you'll have a support system in the form of your family. They can help assimilate you, give you the grand tour, and get you up-to-speed on what your new city has to offer. That is a wonderful plus, particularly for retirees who may have issues reaching out to others, or starting a new social network in Dallas 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 a life to live. You have interests and pastimes, and you may even still be working on your career. Just because your kids have grown up (and in some situations 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 obligated to put that aside in order to be more involved with your loved ones.

Pro: New Opportunities

If the location you're moving to has things your current place of residence doesn't, then that can be a big advantage for you. Whether it is 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 gauge where you're relocating to, and try to find positive aspects of it that will allow you to enjoy yourself and fit in.

Con: The Cost

Even if you have a modest house full of belongings, and you're moving a somewhat short distance, it's going to cost you time, money and energy to move. Those costs must be calculated and their impact pondered, before you decide 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.