To move or not to move. Need advice!

An opportunity has arisen in the last few days and DH and I are confused as to what we should do.
We have the opportunity to move to a town about an hour from where we live for next to nothing. We would live there for anywhere between 1-4 years. This would mean we could rent out our current house and have a fantastic opportunity to get ahead.

Our first issue is the town. Never lived there, don't know anyone who lives there and only hear the bad things about the town. It's Moe for those who know where that is.

Second issue is that it's about 1hr 20 min drive down the freeway to DH's work. He works nights and I worry about him driving home at 6am everyday tired down a long boring straight stretch of road when he's tired. It takes him nearly an hour at the moment, but it's windy road, and then traffic and lights etc.

Pros are that we would be $300pw better off providing we can rent this place out for what we think we can. We could put most of this towards paying off our house quicker, or paying for our extension we want to do. I wouldn't have to go back to work until DS starts school, and we would have a little play money for holidays etc.

I am already hours away from my family, so another hour wouldn't make a difference and we don't see DH's family regularly anyway. I would only be an hour from friends, but hopefully I could meet some new people down there.

We can't decide whether the positives outweigh the negatives. At the end of the day,we will always end up back where we are because we love it here so I know it wouldn't be forever. What would you do?
Oh, and if there's anyone in or around Moe (or know anyone who is) tell me what you know about the town? the good and the bad! ;)

Firstly i am originally from Moe and it's not ALL BAD... :rofl:

You have everything you need there, theres k-mart, safeway, coles etc and plenty of little specialty stores.
My DP calls it spoilt country as it's kinda nowhere but has all the needs of a normal city town! lol

Yes it has a bad rep and YES i am glad i eventually moved awaybut i enjoy going home for visits and seeing old friends and there really are nice, decent hard working people in that town.
It's not all 15yr old mothers and druggies as 'street talk' would have people believe.

I am pretty sure there is a Gippsland thread on here somewhere, have a chat to the girls in there.
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...sland-vic.html - this might be of help to you!

Sorry i'm prob no help at all.... :doh:

We went for a drive down there yesterday and I was surprised how much they had there in the way of shops etc, but was also surprised at how quiet it was. It felt like a Sunday, and with no people around shopping 2 weeks before christmas? I thought that was a bit weird!
Unless a lot of people drive to traralgon or warragul or something for shopping?

We did witness a woman who looked and sounded like she was under the influence, screaming at a man that she didn't want his drugs :o Not really the kind of first impression I expected!

I hear what you're saying. A bad reputation usually precedes a good one! I guess it's like anywhere. There are good areas and there are bad. Unfortunately we don't get to choose the area, and knowing little about the town I don't know where the bad areas are.

That is a big choice, I think it sounds good, I guess the best advice would be to go with your gut?? Goodluck making the choice Megan xo