NM vs MA - decisions, decisions

[Minxie]

I am considering a job in NM. It is in the same line of work and a slight pay cut but the cost of living should compensate as I currently live in MA. I made a pro/cons list in Excel and assigned each pro/con a numeric value; the NM job wins numerically.

My concern is for my son as the public schools here are excellent and there not so great. Also he has made friends here; we live in a great family-friendly neighborhood and a wonderful school district. He's four, though, so he would be fine, yes? I want to be settled before he starts kindergarten which would happen Sept 2011 so we either stay here or we move.

I think he would be fine. We have no family in either place and many of his friends are in military families so would be moving on themselves at some point. We only moved here at the end of 2008 for a job so aren't overly attached to the place.

I know this isn't very coherent. Any input, questions, concerns, thoughts you could provide would be helpful.

[cycle]

Thats tough. New Mexico is amazing but schools are so important. I would have a hard time sacrificing the good school part of it. It would depend on how big the difference in the quality of schools is and the rest of the quality of life stuff. For me I would also look at other job opportunities in case I ever found myself looking for a new position. Is it in one of the bigger cities in NM? There are really only two.

[Minxie]

It's in Albuquerque working for the Fed Gov so the job is SECURE. The superintendent called me the day after the announcement closed at ten AM so I feel confident he is interested. It also helps that he's trying to hire about twenty people and it is a very specialized skill-set.

I have noticed that there are a number of Montessori programs that extend even through high school so DS could attend a Montessori school. It's the financial aspect of that; I was SO looking forward to having extra cash when he started school and dropped to before&after care.

[Minxie]

Also this is something that I WANT to do. I moved to MA because that's where the work was at the time but now...I kind of want to find a place to live where I want to be and I miss the desert, having lived in the Mojave for five years.

[Drummer's Wife]

I saw this from new posts, and wanted to comment on the school thing. We moved from CO to NM for a job, and we ended up living 30-45 min from the big city (ABQ.) even though it means a commute. We picked our city because of the school district and specific zip code for the exact school I preferred. My kids are in a Montessori program, and I am very happy with it. Kindergarten is full-day, if that matters to you.

Not sure what part of NM your job offer is in, but if you are willing to commute either to work or to your DS's school, you may have better school options.

Best of luck deciding. I love NM.

[Drummer's Wife]

Oops, didn't see your other posts before I replied. ABQ. has quite a few Montessori schools w/in the public school system, but they are really hard to get into - not impossible, but they have way too many applicants per openings each year. I decided not take the chance, and we moved to Rio Rancho. Where I live the housing is a lot cheaper than the better (safer) parts of ABQ.

[single_cj]

Ack! I'm deciding between MA and GA and having similar issues. I've decided, though, that I'm DONE with MA. The attitude, the traffic, the weather, the snow, the cold, did I mention the weather?

My STBX has been postponing moving down here because the school system is pretty rough depending on what part of town you live in. Here's my only 2 cents on your situation... I grew up in this town (in GA) and went to a H.S. that has now had it's certification revoked. I consider myself very intelligent, ambitious, and creative. I went to a private woman's college and was doing quite well for myself before becoming a SAHM...

Brace yourself, here's my one point :

Your kids will get out of school only what you and s/he put into it.

You can be in the BEST school district, but if you and your kid(s) doesn't care, he could still turn out be an epic failure (at the EXTREME, obviously). If, however, you & your child(ren), pay attention, get involved, are curious and inquisitive, you can go to the WORST school and STILL be wondrous.

Unless the school system is DANGEROUS (criminal, etc.), don't let it stop you from being WHERE you want to be.

Best wishes!!

[Eman'smom]

Crashing, I'm orginally from NY and now in NM.

If you are happy your son will be too. If you pick a good neighborhood and a good school you both should be fine. The public schools are not so great, but we have a number of charters and monts. that are pretty good.

[meemee]

there has got to be a balance between your needs and your sons needs. both of you are important. i cant imagine a big city like ABQ not having a good school system.

i would never just let the choice of school define a decision that affects all of us.

having said all that though i would say given a choice - i personally would move to NM in a heartbeat. there is just something about the state that makes it special. i am talking about the spiritual aspect of it. not organised religion but just the feel out there. would be perfect for dd and me. i definitely do think it would have an effect on dd where it would affect her whole attitude towards life where what kind of school becomes incidental. i recall from my own childhood, at some places (we moved a lot) i tolerated school better because of all the afterschool opportunities i had (which did not include any structured classes).

[Minxie]

My thanks to all of you! You have reinforced my feelings about it and assuaged my concerns. Now I just have to wait for the official job offer!

[robinchap1]

Sounds like you are making a good decision.

Too bad, though! I live in MA and have a 4 year old too!!!! Not near the Cape, though. I live in Central, MA. But will be visiting the Cape next week!