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XP: Living the nomad life... with a family
DH mentioned tonight that his employer is having major issues with a manufacturing facility of theirs in Texas. Then he joked that what they needed was a full on-site audit, but he was the only one who would be able to do it. They have a guy already down there, but he's sort of lighter artillery than DH and there on a bunch of other projects. DH said that was obviously out of the question because there's no way that he'd drag me and DS to Texas - well over a thousand miles away from where we live - for the two or three months.
I'm like Texas, huh? Anywhere but Dumb Little Town (where we live) actually sounds kind of nice.
Going by himself is out of the question. He didn't even bother mentioning it.
Both
of our vehicles are just over ten years old and, while fine to putter
around town in, are not up for that sort of trip. We would probably rent
a minivan to make the trip in and then he'd rent a car to drive while
we are there. I'd probably drive him to work once or twice a week so
that I'd have the car during the day, but he'd just take it to work most
of the time.
I'm sure that his employer would pay for the cost of a hotel, so we'd probably pay the difference between that and what it would cost to rent a little place. But could we even find something for just a couple of months? We'd be bringing a cat and a dog. That's non-negotiable. My parents have four dogs already and while I would consider leaving our dog with them (she thinks that my parents' house is doggie heaven), the cat would absolutely not handle that well.
I can arrange work and school projects to accommodate, but living in a strange city where I don't know anyone, won't have a car most days, driving to Texas and then back (with DS, the cat and the dog), trying to find a decent place to live. I don't know. Tell me I'm crazy for even considering the idea.
The bit about trying to find a place to live with pets and no lease is really the big one, I guess.
Re: XP: Living the nomad life... with a family
Lurker here -
You may be able to get a bit of good advice from the International board - many of us have dealt with temporary relocations for work, etc.
Just off the top of my head - if the company is sending him down there then I would expect them to pay return airfare for the family (and pets, if necessary - though that may come off as a bit strange ) or a rental vehicle/ mini van for you to travel there. Once you are there they should be footing the bill for the hotel - a 2 bedroom suite with kitchenette facilities would probably be most appropriate, and a rental car while down there (1 for him, probably not one for you - but you can use it however you like, etc.) as well as to take on any cost such as shipping of items, storage of items, legal fees in subletting your home, car storage fees, etc. if any of these would be applicable. However, you're only gonig for 3 months, so that's not too bad, really.
As for the pets - I get it, I brought my dog and cat from China to the UK (and if we ever go back "home" they'll come with us to Canada as well ) but I'd personally split them up with the dog at your parents ( as they are ameniable to this and the dog seems happy - less stress for the pooch and much less stress for you ) and bring the cat with you - if the hotel will alllow, which is going to be your biggest problem here. Just a side note - make sure your cat's chip is up to date and I'd change the phone number to a permanent mobile / land line of your parents or something while you are away, just in case your cat is lost in the shuffle and someone finds it, etc. See if you can have an email address added to the chip's file, and a note that you are travelling, etc.
As for your DS, is your son old enough for schooling to be an issue? If so, that could swing my vote, but if he's too young for school yet then I'd say go for it and look at it as a great opporunity to check out life in Texas for a couple of months. Try to plan a bunch of touristy things for you and DS to do, etc. and little road trips on the weekend, etc.
Good luck!
Chronically hilarious - you'll split your stitches!
I wrote a book! Bucket list CHECK!
http://notesfortheirtherapist.blogspot.co.uk
Chronically hilarious - you'll split your stitches!
I wrote a book! Bucket list CHECK!
http://notesfortheirtherapist.blogspot.co.uk
I'm with Tofu on this--I'd totally go! Although, like Tofu, I have also lived internationally (moved to Israel for a year then back to the US). It's only 3 months and seems like a great adventure while your DC is so young. It might be easier to get a short term lease on an apartment--something like corporate housing--than a hotel. Especially if you have pets.
I'd tell you DH to ask about it--seriously, why not? You've got nothing to lose and you can probaby avoid having to shovel all winter (depending on where you live now).
ETA: Animals are pretty quick to adapt--might take a few weeks but as long as they don't have huge behavioral or health issues they will likely be fine. For 3 months you can pack a few suitcases--it's not like you're uprooting your life like a pp mentioned. It's more of an extended vacation.
To the PP that said leave your dog with your parents and take the cat - you must not have any pets. Also, if you're taking one pet, take them both. Duh.
I worked for Marriott Execustay for quite awhile and we set up corporate housing. I worked in the Phx/Scottsdale market and there were a ton of housing opportunities. I would check (if the area is populated enough) and see if this would be an option. Like another PP said, this gives you a determined timeframe to stay in actual residential housing, not living in a hotel room. It may be a bit more spendy, but if his company is footing the bill I would look into it.
Good luck, sounds like a fun adventure for your family!
Actually she does have pets. Having moved from different countries with them she knows that it is a big hassle, especially with dogs. If the dog is larger, it might be more beneficial for the family and the dog's wellbeing for it to stay with the pp's parents. Large dogs who are used to living in houses might not fare well in small hotel rooms. Also, having a dog with them would preclude them from taking weekend trips and otherwise exploring the new area. Cats are smaller and can be left alone overnight because they don't need to go out.
On the IN board, it is not uncommon for people who move internationally for short periods of time to leave their pets with family back home. While this is mainly due to international restrictions on animals, it is also a perk to living in a new place not to have to be tethered to your house with an animal to take out.
If you feel like you could handle the uprooting with a baby then go for it. I would put the dog with your folks. Can you find someone to look in on the cat while you are gone? I only recommend leaving the cat where she is because it might be less stressful.
If they would allow the cat you might look at the extended stay type hotels.
I would be wary to do this myself, but there are folks that do it all the time no problem. Good luck!
Sending DH by himself: If we did that, we would have to find some sort of childcare. Right now, DH gets home from work at 6pm. We eat dinner and then I shut myself in the office until I go to bed at 11pm so that I can get my work done. If it weren't for that, I'd be more open to the option of sending DH on his way. He spent a solid month in Alberta before DS was born and it was definitely manageable. My closes family lives three hours away and I don't have any friends who I am so close with that I'd ask them to watch DS more than occasionally.
I can cut down my workload pretty substantially but there are somethings that I will still need to make time for.
Stowing the dog with my parents: Definitely an option actually. I know it sounds awful, but she loves it so much there. It would be a really hard decision because I would miss her, but she would be happier with their big fenced yard and all of her little doggie friends (plus she is in love with my mom) then cooped up in whatever we would be staying in. The cat on the other hand, just wants a sunbeam to sit in and would go nuclear if put into a house with all of those dogs.
My comment was meant to be flippant. Do what works best for you. If your dog is happy at your mom's house and has companions, go for it. I'm just saying there may be options that allow you to have your cake and eat it too. I would find it difficult to leave my dog for a week, let alone a few months.
I take it you will also be working if you go with DH?
I need a flippant font today. DS thinks that daytime is entirely too interesting for eating and 3am is the time to down some noms so I'm zombied today. Heck, if it weren't for my parents' particular situation, I wouldn't dream of leaving the dog. If it were take or kennel, oh dear lord we'd be taking.
I can work anywhere with an internet connection. I'd have to look, but I don't think my classes even have finals that I'd need a proctor for - just final projects. Speaking of -- anyone need an app programed?