Temporary Move to Houston? Need Input (sooner rather than later)

[smhbbag]

So, an opportunity has been placed in front of me to move to Houston on a temporary basis (3 months) to receive training in a new area for my company.

The "class" is strictly limited to 3 months, and I'll return to my company after that, in a different position using that training.

I am married with no children, and my wife is (great surprise to me) enthusiastically in favor of it, though dreading the time of separation.

I was actually not so thrilled with the prospect (although the training seems really cool), but with her full support, I'm beginning to consider it.

Have any of you done this? Would you recommend it? Beyond the obvious, what are some concerns I should have?

This is pretty time-sensitive. They would like an answer from me by tomorrow morning, and the move would happen in 2 weeks. As said, they had a last-minute vacancy.

 

[LawrenceU]

Is the pay-out at work worth the investment in separation? Do they give you travel allowance to return home on occasion? Is it possible for your sweetie to visit you?

 

[SolaScriptura]

Go for it! 3 months apart... that's nothing. Try 15.

 

[toddpedlar]

I don't know what your church situation is, but I think a supportive church family and elders is a must. I did this for about 3 months early in our marriage (an experiment on Long Island while we lived in Chicago) and the support structure we had at home was very helpful for my wife. Three months for you, given your busy situation while there, will go much more quickly than it will for her - so you should have her needs squarely in view.

 

[fredtgreco]

Jeremy,

If you decide to come to Houston, I'd be happy to be of assistance if I can.

 

[Marrow Man]

When I received my first call to the pastorate, in Mississippi, the Missus stayed back in Greenville (SC) to finish out the last two months of the school year. She came and visited two or three times, but it was a difficult 2 months (with the added difficulty of an auto accident mixed in near the end). But three months is only three months; it might not be easy, but the time will pass quickly enough, and the two of you just might profit even profit from the experience.

Hey, Jacob worked 7 years for his beloved, got snookered, then worked another 7. You can do 3 months.

 

[Whitefield]

Have any of you done this? Would you recommend it? Beyond the obvious, what are some concerns I should have?

Have a plan to fill the "dead time" during the evenings and weekends you are away.

 

[Scottish Lass]

If you commit, plan to have a way to communicate every day, by voice, text, whatever. It may seem silly, but even just calling to say goodnight can help.

I second the recommendation of attempting to visit somewhere during the time. It cost a little, but it made the separation easier.

 

[smhbbag]

Is the pay-out at work worth the investment in separation?

It certainly appears so. It is a 3-month "boot-camp" to become a specialist in logistics, learning our new offerings. The local company I work for (a subsidiary of the conglomerate offering the training) is growing quite rapidly, and will be starting projects like this very soon. Seems that it gives good, transferable skills if I decide to leave my current company, and would greatly increase the potential where I am.

 

[Edward]

Three months will go by faster than you think. See if they'll spring for some weekends home.

I'd recommend a family cell phone plan so that you can have unlimited phone contact with each other. If you'll have free internet at that end, I'd also recommend a cheap netbook so you can email her (and spend your evenings on PB to stay out of trouble.)

 

[he beholds]

Is it possible for your wife to go with you? If you are in a hotel I don't see why they would care if she was in your room. Maybe she can ask her job for a three month break because of this unexpected opportunity. And maybe if you depend on her income she can get a small job in Houston. Of course if we had to do this, I would submit, but my greatest desire would be to go with my husband.

 

[smhbbag]

Is it possible for your wife to go with you? If you are in a hotel I don't see why they would care if she was in your room. Maybe she can ask her job for a three month break because of this unexpected opportunity. And maybe if you depend on her income she can get a small job in Houston. Of course if we had to do this, I would submit, but my greatest desire would be to go with my husband.

It's a 2-bedroom corporate apartment, with another guy roomie. So, unfortunately, no wives allowed.

Three months will go by faster than you think. See if they'll spring for some weekends home.

I'd recommend a family cell phone plan so that you can have unlimited phone contact with each other. If you'll have free internet at that end, I'd also recommend a cheap netbook so you can email her (and spend your evenings on PB to stay out of trouble.

Thankfully, the apartment is fully furnished, including computer and internet. I'll probably buy a second Magicjack for a cheap phone while we're there, and keep my emergency tracfone just in case. If they didn't have a computer there, I would have gone with the netbook. Cool little machine.

Luckily, they gave me a few more days to think it over, so my wife and I will have a little more time than we thought to really think about it.

My biggest concern is that my wife would become a Single White Female in an area where it's not really safe to be one of those. If I go, she may move in with my parents in the country (at least a few nights a week), just for safety's sake and to have company. I fear she would grow very lonely very quickly. We're both leaning 90% toward it, but it's far from finalized.

There's no way the company would pay for a quick trip home, but we may spring for it anyway. I don't know if I'll have time, though, as the reputation for this program involves incredibly high workloads.

 

[he beholds]

Is it possible for your wife to go with you? If you are in a hotel I don't see why they would care if she was in your room. Maybe she can ask her job for a three month break because of this unexpected opportunity. And maybe if you depend on her income she can get a small job in Houston. Of course if we had to do this, I would submit, but my greatest desire would be to go with my husband.

It's a 2-bedroom corporate apartment, with another guy roomie. So, unfortunately, no wives allowed.

Three months will go by faster than you think. See if they'll spring for some weekends home.

I'd recommend a family cell phone plan so that you can have unlimited phone contact with each other. If you'll have free internet at that end, I'd also recommend a cheap netbook so you can email her (and spend your evenings on PB to stay out of trouble.

Thankfully, the apartment is fully furnished, including computer and internet. I'll probably buy a second Magicjack for a cheap phone while we're there, and keep my emergency tracfone just in case. If they didn't have a computer there, I would have gone with the netbook. Cool little machine.

Luckily, they gave me a few more days to think it over, so my wife and I will have a little more time than we thought to really think about it.

My biggest concern is that my wife would become a Single White Female in an area where it's not really safe to be one of those. If I go, she may move in with my parents in the country, just for safety's sake and to have company. I fear she would grow very lonely very quickly. We're both leaning 90% toward it, but it's far from finalized.

That would be my second choice--moving in with my in-laws. But I am particularly needy.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

So, an opportunity has been placed in front of me to move to Houston on a temporary basis (3 months) to receive training in a new area for my company.

The "class" is strictly limited to 3 months, and I'll return to my company after that, in a different position using that training.

I am married with no children, and my wife is (great surprise to me) enthusiastically in favor of it, though dreading the time of separation.

I was actually not so thrilled with the prospect (although the training seems really cool), but with her full support, I'm beginning to consider it.

Have any of you done this? Would you recommend it? Beyond the obvious, what are some concerns I should have?

This is pretty time-sensitive. They would like an answer from me by tomorrow morning, and the move would happen in 2 weeks. As said, they had a last-minute vacancy.

Yes, I've done it a few times. When you're gone just make sure to plug yourself into a good Church community. Your wife could probably visit a time or two during your training on the weekends to help break up the time.

 

[William Price]

Jeremy,

If you decide to come to Houston, I'd be happy to be of assistance if I can.

Make it two! I'll help as I can.

 

[smhbbag]

Yes, I've done it a few times. When you're gone just make sure to plug yourself into a good Church community. Your wife could probably visit a time or two during your training on the weekends to help break up the time.

The fact that I could meet the local PBers and attend Pastor Greco's church was actually the first thing that went on my "Pros" list when I made it.

But now I have a competing offer. I'm sure there's room for both.

And I just noticed that my use of language has naturally changed since being married. In my last post I said I would buy a second Magicjack while "we" are there. I guess she's gotten under my skin.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Yes, I've done it a few times. When you're gone just make sure to plug yourself into a good Church community. Your wife could probably visit a time or two during your training on the weekends to help break up the time.

The fact that I could meet the local PBers and attend Pastor Greco's church was actually the first thing that went on my "Pros" list when I made it.

But now I have a competing offer. I'm sure there's room for both.

And I just noticed that my use of language has naturally changed since being married. In my last post I said I would buy a second Magicjack while "we" are there. I guess she's gotten under my skin.

If you have a Notebook computer then use Skype. That's what I do with Sonya and the kids. It's great to be able to VTC for free. I even did so from Japan.

 

[smhbbag]

If you have a Notebook computer then use Skype. That's what I do with Sonya and the kids. It's great to be able to VTC for free. I even did so from Japan.

That would be great, but no notebook for me

I'm cheap, and kind of emotionally attached to desks and desktops. I'm waiting until I can be promoted a few levels and get a notebook free

 

[he beholds]

will they have a landline in the room? if so, i have an extra google voice invite which i can pm you about. but you'll need a landline for it to help in this situation. if you have to get a magic jack just to have a phone at all, google voice won't help.

 

[smhbbag]

Thanks, Jessi - I don't know whether there is a landline. If so, that's a definite possibility. Thanks.

 

[Rangerus]

everything above from wise counsel.

 

[Edward]

I'm cheap, and kind of emotionally attached to desks and desktops. I'm waiting until I can be promoted a few levels and get a notebook free

Then you'll probably find that you are carrying two computers - one for work, and one for personal use. Lighter definitely has its advantages.

There's no way the company would pay for a quick trip home, but we may spring for it anyway.

You might even, if the budget will support it, look at a romantic weekend in New Orleans or Memphis (or even San Antonio). In any event, keep an eye out for cheap, last minute weekend fares for Southwest or the other airlines.

 

[SueS]

May I suggest that you get one of those efficiency units provided by some motels? My dh once spent six months in Mass. while a new computer was being built for his company and he lived in a Holiday Inn room with a double bed, a table, two chairs, a dresser, and a tv. He couldn't even make a pot of coffee - it got old really fast!

 

[fredtgreco]

Jeremy,

What ever happened to this? Did you take the temp assignment?

 

[smhbbag]

Jeremy,

What ever happened to this? Did you take the temp assignment?

Wow, thank you Pastor Greco. I had forgotten I even made this thread. I'm still kind of reeling from recent events.

Only a few days after this post, a false accusation of theft was levied against me by a co-worker, and I was unable to sufficiently prove my innocence. My bosses recognized that the accusation may not have been true, but the circumstantial evidence was enough to make them doubt their trust of me.

So, I was forced to resign for "personal reasons" - which is an 'out' they gave me because some of management was on my side. I'm still kind of in shock, as this whole process took only a single day from accusation to "quitting." But, we are an at-will state, and I have no recourse.

So, there will be no Houston. At least this made the decision easier Finding a new job, however, is proving difficult. So prayers would be appreciated.

Thank you again, Pastor, as I know I would have greatly loved worshipping with you all.

 

[Scottish Lass]

Jeremy, I'm sorry--praying...

 

[fredtgreco]

Jeremy,

I'm really sorry. I know what it is like to be falsely accused. I also know what it is like to suffer for it. But I will say that I also have known vindication and the blessing of God keeping me up through trials. I'll be praying for you and your wife.

 

[LawrenceU]

Jeremy, I'm sorry. I, too, know what false accusation feels like in the work place. God is your defender. Hang in there. We will be praying for you.

 

[Berean]

Praying, Jeremy.

 

[SolaScriptura]

Jeremy,

Wow... that's rough. I pray the good Lord will rain down blessing upon you.