Hello, all, and thank you for the great help that you gave me a few months ago. since checking in here, we've implemented SO many changes that have put us on the path to FI -- a long one, but we're finally headed in the right direction, an dhave a real plan to get rid of our debts in just a few years. The changes we've made thus far include getting rid of the STUFF that is over-running our house, slashing our grocery bill, and DH got a new job that 1) pays more, and 2) includes some payment toward health benefits. We are very happy.
But the new job has prompted us to seriously look at our housing situation. We moved to this town (I'll call it Town A) and bought a house here in late 2008 b/c it was 2.7 miles from DH's job, so he biked a lot and drove when it was icy/pouring, etc., to protect his computer. We got a great deal on it in a short sale -- our current monthly payment on it (mortgage & taxes) is $975. It is a 3 br, 1 bath home that is approx 1100 sq ft.
This new job is accessible by public transportation, which is 5 miles from our house, which is also convenient for biking, when the weather permits. As time goes on, the need for him to go into the office every day will decrease, and he'll be able to work form home often. Yessssssss.
My question revolves around the activities that my kids are involved in/getting into. We have 3 kids, ages 1 to 8, and since living here, we've found ourselves traveling to a town that is a 20-minute drive from here (Town B), because that town offers many more activities that my kids are interested in and enjoy. (We homeschool, btw). So, as you can imagine, our monthly gas expense is through the roof, and we spend a ton of time in the car. We can't walk to anything from our current house, and although DH bikes, the roads around here aren't safe for kids to ride on (curvy, 2-lane country roads w/no sidewalks). We are still looking to change our current family vehicle (a minivan), but are wondering whether it' s worth it to move to Town B, since we're always driving there, and sell this house.
Of course, homes and taxes in Town B are more expensive, but, if we get a place in the right location, we'd be able to walk to the library, post office, some stores, and other activities my kids are involved in (there are sidewalks in this other town), significantly cutting down our time in the car, and our gas expense. Also, Town B has a reputation for raising taxes frequently and in large increments, and it's not uncommon for people to move out of the town after their kids finish going through the school system. Public transportation would be around a 20-minute drive from Town B, for the few times that DH would need to go into the office.
If we do decide to sell this house, we'd have to put some work into it -- refinishing floors, updating some electrical, replacing some windows, and maybe slightly remodeling the kitchen. (We bought it knowing that we'd have to put some sweat equity into it. We've already done a lot, but have much more to go.)
So, what do you recommend? Stay in Town A, or move to Town B? Thanks in advance to all who chime in.