TIA for any advice anyone can lend. Quick background - wife and I lived in Indiana a few years before we had our first kid and moved back to Houston in 2013 when we decided to start our family since my parents and sisters are here. That is mainly why we moved back. Growing up I never really got to see extended family very often since they were out of state. Thatseemed important to us with our family and where we want to be.

We have been in Houston for a couple years now with a one year old boy and it just doesn't seem like home. I think we know it is inevitable we won't be in Houston long term (I know who likes Houston??) but not sure if we go for another TX city/town that would leave us close or do something we have always wanted to do - live in Colorado. My wife lived there for about a year before we dated and loved it and I love it every time I am there. Really enjoy the outdoors and skiing amongs countless other benefits. Could absolutely see us starting our lives there.

I guess I am looking for some things to consider from those who of you who do value a "close" family but VOLUNTARILY chose to uproot your lives and blaze your own trail out of state from your family's main general place of residence. I don't think our values have changed much but I also believe we need to make the best decisions possible for OUR family first and foremost.

Thanks for reading. I'll hang up and listen

Most of my family lives in Texas. I moved to TN and met my wife here. We moved back to Texas for 3.5 years, and recently moved back here to TN. It is gorgeous, has 4 seasons, lots of outdoor activities, etc.

My brother and sister live an hour away, but two other sisters and mom live in Texas.

Being far from family doesn't bug me now. The only things I miss from Texas are Texas A&M, tex-mex food, and West Texas. Don't really miss anything else. Dislike the metroplex, Houston, and Austin area; we aren't moving anymore.

I just did this the first of this year. We moved from Houston to a small town in Colorado for lifestyle reasons alone. Didn't know anyone here or anything. Just took a leap of faith and did it. We love it here. We picked a community based on what we were looking for which was a mountain town, small, access to an airport (for my work), good schools and sense of community. We looked at several places and found what we were looking for.

We have two kids that were 7 and 9 when we moved. They have fully acclimated here and love it. It's not all easy and it can be scary not knowing anyone. There were times with the kids where they were upset and leaving friends (both for them and us) was and still is the hardest part although the kids are passed that now.

The funny thing I discovered about it was that the people we would tell that we were moving just because couldn't grasp that concept. Everyone assumes it's for a job. On the flip side everyone here totally gets it because where we moved is mostly people that did what we did.

Lots of people talk about doing it but the key is get a plan together and stick to it. We made our first trip in September of last year and moved officially on Jan 1. The easy thing to do is no choice.

Like I said, it's scary and it's expensive but 6 months in I'm feeling like we made the right choice for us. If you have specific questions let me know. I'm also happy to answer anything on PM or even a phone call. I spoke with someone my realtor referred me to that recently moved from Cypress to here and speaking with him really helped me.

Fairview, where did you pick in CO?

We live in Eagle in Eagle Ranch. It's about 30 minutes west of Vail.

10andBOUNCE,

I was in a similar situation, then moved from Houston to Denver almost 6 years ago, and life is so much better here.

I was in Houston for just over 5 years & was ready to get out after 2-3 years. I didn't like any other areas in TX, and it was a weird feeling that I had no desire to live in the state anymore. I grew up a typical Texan thinking it was the only place I'd ever live. I also grew up in a close family surrounded by a close extended family.

I'd visited Denver in August '07, and I was certain I wanted to move to the Mile High City. I made 6-7 trips to Denver to network/scout/interview.... Only regret is that I didn't move sooner (had to finish law school & then my mother-in-law passed away).

I enjoy living away from family; only downside is having to pay for a sitter on date nights. Weather is amazing, quality of life is awesome, outdoor activities are unmatched, great beer, people like to have fun, and crime feels nonexistent compared to Houston.

cool. That's a nice area. We stopped at the Costco there (almost hit a little diner but we were short on time) for gas and a stretch break. I swear it's the cleanest and quietest Costco I've ever been in...pretty area.

My advice is to be selfish, and do it now for yourself and the quality of life for your family. You can always move back if you so desire, later, and as another who has made the move from Houston to Denver (albeit pre-kids) I can tell you that we absolutely do not regret it. Moving to Colorado, you would get a large number of friends and family visiting the area throughout the year, and asking family to come to you really isn't that hard, since it's a great destination to visit anyway! (and about a 2 hour flight from a lot of the major cities in Texas).

Anyway I say go for it because you will probably look back one day and regret not trying it out you don't. I have a friend who a year and a half ago up and moved his family (wife and two kids) to Perth, Australia, and are having the time of their lives.... since that happened, it makes a move to Colorado look like small beans!

Lastly, I'd invite you to post over on the "Denver" thread, as well as contacting the local Denver A&M club if you have any questions about the atate/area, or just want to hear stories from people who went through the same thing as you. Oh and both are pretty good for potential job leads too!

Good luck to you and I hope you and your family figure out what will make you all happiest!

Thanks all for the sincere feedback. We will continue to think and pray on this as it will probably be a a year or two away, but we definitely are excited with the idea of it. Never know, if any opportunity presents itself earlier could be hard to turn away.

Much like ABKitch suggested, be selfish. Look at it another way. While family is important, you and your wife started a NEW family. Do what is best for YOUR family...you, your wife and your children. We moved to Idaho and away from family many years ago. I wish we had done it sooner. I actually don't miss Texas. Not meant as an insult at all, it is just I value clean air, four seasons, outdoor activities and low crime. And I hate hot weather. I mean HATE.

Today we had the first cool front and had a high of 75 degrees...in late July. (maybe fall is near!) Now granted, it will be high 90s again by Saturday, but dang it was nice today. Our kids grew up snow skiing, hunting mule deer, hiking in the mountains, etc, etc. They have been to Texas to visit relatives. They have no desire to live there either and are staying in the NW US as adults.

And as another poster mentioned, a lot of your family will come visit you as you will be in a great vacation spot.

Downsides? It would have been nice being close to family sometimes, but we also missed the usual family dramas etc that made us glad we were 1500 miles away.

It is your life. DO IT.

Thanks for the feedback.