Out of State Move?

Have any of you done a big(ger) move? Like state(s) move or at least 100+ miles from your previous residence? I am really considering getting out of this valley and going somewhere quieter, but with that comes several other challenges (work/source of income being the biggest). What have been some of your pros and cons? Was it something you wanted to do, or did work pay for your move?

Biggest thing is trying to find a career to support my family depending on where I move. Obviously I can continue in the automotive industry, but not sure if I really care too. Finding the wife employment would probably be the biggest concern.

I moved here in 2000, came from Oregon on a bus, with everything I could carry in a big duffel. I already had a job lined up though, and a friend who let me surf his couch for a couple months.

I'd like to get out of the valley too. I'm currently WFH and don't intend to leave this job for another unless it's WFH too, so I'm free to go about anywhere. The wife is working as a nurse and kinda needs a larger hospital to stay in the field she likes, so that's going to be our limiting factor on where we can go.

If you're thinking about changing career tracks, I would aim for something that provides the potential for WFH. You won't be as active, working a desk job, but you'll get a lot more flexibility in where you can move. Not to mention a lot less stress in your life (no commute!).

We moved to Roosevelt in March 2004. Moved back in Oct 2004 and my wife had @lbryson in mid-November 2004. That's not the length that you're talking about but kind of. As you can see, my wife needed to be nearer her base a bit. We moved from Cache Valley in 1993. I've been trying to get back there since, my wife, not so much. We went from 1.5 hour trip to the parents to about 4-5 hours per trip home. I do think that was a factor in why my wife wasn't that happy.

I was laid off in Aug-Sept of 2003. Started working in Roosevelt in Dec 2003. That doesn't really apply to your question but I thought I'd throw the info out there.


Pros: Small town, I liked it.
Paid to golf for my job. Can't go wrong with that


Cons: Small town, my wife didn't like it.
job didn't pay jack at all but it was better than nothing (and free golf)
further from family than one of us was comfortable with

I paid to move. It's VERY common to get a job and they pay moving expenses.

With your experience, I would bet you could get something like you have, leveraging your knowledge and experience. I wouldn't say you are "stuck" in your field at your age, but if you're feeling like you are now, imagine how you'll be feeling when you are "stuck" at 45-60 yrs old? Can you leverage your experience into something that people will pay for? An accountant, sales rep or the like? Plan where you want to go and figure out how to get there.
I moved from body shop experience into automotive software and then into IT support. That started in '95. I worked for an auto parts data provider. Then moved into a law firm as the Help Desk. I've had increasing responsibility and had to learn a few things along the way. I finished my Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems in '99. Having the degree has helped me more than a few times. I think it just helps to get you in the door and then people succumb to my delightful personality.


What are YOU interested in doing? You're the one that's in the job all day. It helps if you like what you're doing but everything I've had is still an actual job. People pay you to do things they can't/won't do. You'll like some of it and not like some things wherever you are

It's a weird road I've taken. I'm not sure it could be duplicated?

I agree with @Kevin B. There’s lots of remote work opportunities that allow you to live where you want. Maybe take the experience you have and start looking for some of those opportunities. That could be with manufactures, Companies that sell software into businesses like you have worked at, Training opportunities, e-commerce, technical support. Lots of possibilities and companies are always looking for people that can step in with experience. These days it’s more about finding the right person for the job then finding the close person for the job.

I was going to move to Wellington, CO in ‘14. Quit my cushy .gov job of 10 years, listed my house for sale and went under contract on a new place there. We just had our first kid and were very excited about the smaller town vibe but still being close to a city (Fort Collins). Ultimately our house here wasn’t selling and we didn’t want to carry both loans, combined with my boss not meeting all the requirements we agreed upon- we decided to tuck tail and come back. Would it have been cool? Probably. Would I change a thing? Nope. It happened how it was supposed to happen.

I see the attraction to moving to a smaller town but then again I don’t. I think being in the right neighborhood for your situation (it varies from person to person) is ultimately the most important.

I've moved around my entire life. I grew up as an Air Force Brat then did a short stint in the Army. After the Army I rode my GSXR 750 around the country for a bit while my stuff was stored at my Dad's place. I lived in Arizona, California, New York state, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Utah (ad now back in SC) since i got out in 1987. I've done moves where I paid for it all and I've had the company I've worked for pay for it.

Don't be afraid of some adventure that comes with moving but stay realistic about whatever your life goals are. Family? Kids? early retirement? big house and shop? whatever those goals are, stick to meeting those goals and always ask whether a move will put you closer or further from those goals. Some of my moves didn't advance me the way I would have hoped. Switching to a new mortgage every few years doesn't go well with paying off that mortgage, for example.

I moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 2018. Packed everything we owned (family of four) into a 7x14 enclosed and hit the road.

Had a great time down there. It wasn’t home but it was fun nonetheless and we for the first time ever were close to my wife’s side of the family.

Moved back to Cache Valley in 2020. Same thing 7x14 enclosed and drove. I’m glad to be back but Cache Valley has grown—a lot and it’s getting very stuffy up in here. I’m getting the itch to move again but my wife won’t do it she says at least not till the kids are moved out.

Advise? Read a few living minimalist books and thin your stuff down if you can. I found it to be a lifesaver moving only what we really needed in that smallish enclosed 😎

Do it. I’ll never live in a city again.

You really need to be self sufficient in a lot of areas. I grew up small town (comparatively) and thought I had all the chops I needed. Moving to rural WY has been an eye opener and a blessing. Always working on something and learning something new because out here you don’t rely on conveniences at all. I love it.

I moved out here from Massachusetts back in 2009. Everything I owned at that time fit in the back of my Jeep. Came out with the plan to work the resorts for a couple years and then head back east. So much for that 🤣

The valley is getting VERY busy, but some of the conveniences and safety nets make it hard to move; I don't want to be a helicopter ride away from actual medical professionals in case one of my kids has of a serious emergency.

We’re always talking about moving. It’d be hard to replace what we have here. But we don’t care for Utah much, love nature, but don’t really care much for the culture. If we left we’d keep everything here, and rent it out. At least for a couple years. We really expect to end up in Montana, in a super small town. As far as work, without a mortgage or car payments, things like that, it open much more doors. I enjoy cooking, and do construction at the moment. Do enough odd jobs when I can, huge demand for it up there, and do a food truck by the east entrance of glacier national park. Plus my wife could see clients remotely. But the schools and social life for the kids would be hard. But the trade off is endless outdoor exploring and more time with their parents. But for now we’re here.