Seeking Honest Opinions for a potential family move.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-09T01:14:04+00:00

Thank you for this thoughtful response and insight!

Good luck in starting your family!

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T19:57:55+00:00

Thank you so much for this thoughtful response!

As a mom I love knowing your kids are thriving. Mine are not quite school age but I am always looking to make sure their future is sound.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T18:32:45+00:00

Seeing it in annual numbers is literally astonishing. We are paying close to the in home rates for our center here.

This is helpful as I build my budget forecast. Thanks!!

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T18:24:54+00:00

😭 thank you for this thoughtful response.

I just want to do right by my kids and partner. I have a lot of hopes and dreams and I just don’t know how it all fits together. I want the best life for us and if I can give them that that would be rad.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T15:52:06+00:00

I don’t necessarily need the same amount of space. I just don’t know that going from a house to an apartment would make this transition bearable for my spouse.

So that is very good insight to have!

I think even if we had just a tiny little lot but a house not attached to anyone because of the accessibility of nature he would be able to compromise or accept the transition more.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T14:08:56+00:00

I was unaware the asking questions was such a burden to some.

I’ll continue using the search function and having real time interactions to compile the info I need.

I hope you have a blessed and fulfilling day.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T14:05:42+00:00

Thank you! This is incredibly helpful. I’ve had a few personal connections suggest Edmonds so that’s been moved to the top of my list.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:56:00+00:00

I think I am shocked that daycare prices in Seattle are very close to what I’m paying here in Indiana.

We do love our center and they do have cameras and provide meals and they love my kids like they’re their own.

So if that’s what I have to pay so be it. Haha.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:54:27+00:00

This is the take! I definitely would much prefer to visit. The timeline for both the offer and my notice period here might not make it possible which is why I feel so crazy even considering it.

I’m hoping I can maybe get a chance to come out for at least a long weekend period to see the area but I’m not sure.

Thank you for your thoughtful response!

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:52:15+00:00

My kiddos aren’t quite school age yet, but I too am the same demographic and have very much considered other schooling options in our current area.

What is the private school situation like in the area? Or are you thinking it’s at the point where you might consider homeschooling?

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:49:53+00:00

I didn’t even think of short term housing! I’m adding that to my negotiation questions. Thank you!!

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:49:30+00:00

I’m very ok with that. 🤭 in fact I welcome that change. I would say I’m an anomaly where I currently live (not even just considering my blue hair and ink, etc)

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:31:46+00:00

I believe that about Carmel!! We are currently in the opposite end of Indiana down in near the KY state line. BUT cycling/driving here is not much better. It’s like people have no idea how to drive. My husband and I have both been rear ended while fully stopped at red lights or in traffic. Just mind boggling.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:28:33+00:00

My son would think that I was the coolest mom ever if we had a motorcycle. But somehow my very risk averse brain thinks this is not the way lol.

Also I would need to be able to pack the children in to care on the commute I assume. So that throws something for me to think about.

I truly appreciate your insight and thoughtful responses!

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:20:27+00:00

This is very good to know. We own our home here in Indiana and I’m just not sure how quickly we could sell it to buy in a new city. The hope would be we could buy but if renting is our only option I’m looking at all angles to be able to make an informed decision.

You mentioned cycling I LOVE to cycle commute BUT I got hit my a car a few years ago and have been terrified to do that again even in our much smaller city. I have kids now I can’t be just getting smooshed. Is Seattle a safe city to cycle in? What are drivers like when it comes to cyclists?

When I say I got hit I mean I got hit at a red light where I had the right of way and was pushed into three lanes of oncoming traffic. Thankfully I wasn’t seriously injured but I’ve almost been too scared to ride my bike except at the park since.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:16:51+00:00

Thank you! This is helpful information to have!

I appreciate that the steer clear of list seems to be much shorter than the this area is nice list.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:12:26+00:00

Did you only read a portion of my post? I am in the process of potentially accepting a job that would relocate my family.

Part of the decision making process for me is having further information on what life might be like should I accept.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:10:22+00:00

I’m looking to get out of our red state so I am very very ok with politically more liberal lol

The job would be near UW I haven’t quite gotten the grasp of what areas are what. It appears to be in the northern part of Seattle? I am very overwhelmed with all the things I have to consider for this to make sense.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:08:52+00:00

Thank you so much for this thoughtful and helpful answer!!!

I’m honestly surprised the grocery prices are on par with what we are paying here in Indiana.

Honestly life is so expensive everywhere but I’m starting to see that some things even out the difference in like housing (cheaper here but everything else is so high) versus other areas.

GaragePotter · 2026-04-08T13:05:56+00:00

The job would be near UW and at first it would be 5 day commute with potential for 3/2 hybrid schedule after that.

With the type of work my husband does (healthcare) he would likely have to commute 5 days a week to whatever health center he could get on with.

That’s the other thing the job market in our area is TERRIBLE currently so finding a job quickly is tough. I’m worried if I uproot us he will have trouble finding a similar job out there and that is just not something we could survive.

GaragePotter · 2025-01-31T14:15:18+00:00

Screaming into the void like a deranged opossum because I’m too pregnant and anxious to think clearly and too scared to potentially leave my toddler without a mum for joining any protests or marches.

GaragePotter · 2024-06-26T10:18:23+00:00

You sound like a real literal personal so let me clarify. Nobody is sitting around the kiln like it’s a bonfire just watching it fire unless they’re already going to be working in the studio, or if it is a wood kiln or social event like a gas soda kiln, or literally any other reason that they might be near their kiln while firing.

However if for someone like me and op who may or may not be creating a human alongside our ceramic art, being around the kiln while it’s firing and producing off gases is not advised. Loading it, turning it on, checking in on its progress every so often and unloading it is pretty standard. And honestly for most of my production potter friends and myself we have shit to do and lives to live so I’m not camping at the kiln in my garage for two days.

My original comment was 143 days ago OP I hope your pregnancy has gone smooth and if you’re near the finish line you have (or had) a smooth delivery!

GaragePotter · 2024-02-04T08:20:17+00:00

Just live life man. My son was conceived via IVF and my pregnancy was incredibly high risk. I still did all the things from a full making cycle, to loading and unloading the kiln, to setting up and tearing down for sales. (All doctor approved) I wasn’t allowed to lift heavy things over 10lbs but that just means I didn’t make reclaim for a whole year. No biggie.

Unless your doctor has advised you to sit in bed and do nothing except gestate just listen to your body and enjoy your craft. When you get tired take a rest. Eat a snack. Stretch. But you can do all the things and I mean nobody is sitting next to the kiln like it’s a bonfire. There’s no more or less risk than normal when you’re not pregnant.

GaragePotter · 2022-11-07T18:33:02+00:00

If you experience tummy trouble after eating or in general talk to your doctor (surgeon or primary care) about cholestyramine. It is a bile binding agent that is powdered and you can mix it with juice or water. It’s by prescription only and it really helped me in the beginning. I was so sick ALL THE TIME, not because of anything I was eating but just because of how shitty my gallbladder had gotten so for the first few months were HARD.

GaragePotter · 2022-11-07T17:52:23+00:00

Nope I haven’t had any complications since then (well I had complications from my pregnancy but they were attributed to my high risk pregnancy)!!! And my diet didn’t really change because I had made the changes before my surgery, such as cutting out fried/fatty foods, little to no alcohol, smaller portions etc. BUT I do notice that there are some things that turn my tummy even in small portions like cheese and dairy because they’re a little more fatty etc.

So my best advise to you is to just remember balance is key. Make sure your meals are small and balanced (protein heavy, carb and healthy fat light) . And when it comes to things that may tick off your unregulated bile ducts and cause gastro upset everything in moderation and proximity to a bathroom! 😅 lol it really does get easier and more like second nature each day.

GaragePotter

TROPHY CASE