Would you split up your family under these circumstances?

[.betty.white.]

Here is the situation...  Me and DH moved to NYC a year ago.  We moved against my objections for DH's job and DH promised me after a year we could reevaluate and move.  I moved with him because I'm obviously committed to my family, and supportive of my husband.  But I had serious misgivings about raising a child in the city.  

So, a year has gone and past..  I've adjusted as best as I could to NYC and finally have gotten used to it.  DS is so/so.  When we moved he created an imaginary friend who is with him ALL the time.  I'm going to college out there and DS got into a gifted program for kindergarten.  While its amazing that he got into a gifted program, the school has a full time police officer guarding it and we have to take the subway... Its just a different world, KWIM?  

We went on vacation last month and I was planning to spend a week with my parents in the Santa Cruz area.  Well, when we got here, I honestly felt like I couldn't leave so I asked DH if I could extend my trip...  DH has to work like crazy so he had to go back to the city, and it wasn't a big deal cause he was working so much.  Then due to circumstances, our trip kept getting rescheduled and now we are out here until late July. 

Since we've been here, DS has been thriving.  I haven't seen him this happy in such a long time.  His imaginary friend hasn't shown up once.  The schools are amazing here.  THere is little league, lots of sports, and i have my family support out here.  DS is the happiest kid in the world this summer.  

This sounds horrible but I'm thinking about splitting up the family.  I really don't like NYC.  Because my dad is a vet, I can get all my college paid for out here.  DS could go to school and have a normal childhood.  It breaks my heart to think the end of the summer is coming before I know it and I have to take him away from here.  This is the perfect area to raise a child....  BUT dh has to work in NYC and it is what it is, for at least another year.  

Am I crazy?  What would you do?  Would you stick it out for "only another year" knowing that it will probably take longer?  Would you split up the family and live on different coasts because one area is much more ideal than the other for children??  I'm so confused about what to do.  I know that kids are resilient and can get through a lot, but it breaks my heart that I can't give him normal things in the city.  For instance, we moved before his 4th birthday and he want to see a forest and stars because he didn't really remember what they looked like-- That right there breaks my heart.  Here he is sleeping through the night because there is no light and noise....  IDK. Thoughts...  DH moving isn't an option at all.  The two options are me splitting up the family (me and ds moving here) or us staying in NYC

EDIT:  

Just so there is no confusion, dh and I have been talking about this for months, so its not a new conversation that I haven't had with him, it just really hit home the last few weeks being out of the city.  

Next, as someone seemed to think, I have NO INTENTION to take my son and run lol.  Thats laughable.  It would be a mutual decision that is reached by both me and DH but I wanted outside thoughts which is why I'm posting here.  The arrangement would be that we STAY married and see eachother about every 3 months, lol, not sneaking off into the night and leaving him, that is ridiculous lol.  

Update 1:  So, after reading all the replies (every single one of them) I wrote down what I was feeling and sent dh an email detailing the pros and cons of each and the two resolutions I could live with (we've gone through several pros and cons list-- like I said this isn't a new conversation between us).  I thought though he might take it bad, but he totally took it fine!  I gave one "if we stay in NYC" list of things I wanted (won't bore you with details but the most major is a definite move date from there-- not sure he can provide it) or an "if we move" list detailing everything like visits and nightly skype calls etc.  He was so sweet and said my list seemed absolutely reasonable but as usual, we still can't come to any conclusion!  We are going to let it all marinate and think about it for about a week and then try to talk again.  I think this summer is a super good test run for it cause we're away from him longer than we've ever been before and it seems to be going good so far :)  But its such a major decision that we aren't rushing into anything anytime soon.  I'm so glad that I was able to outline exactly what I needed and what DS needed along with the pros and cons and for DH to not react defensive at all but to completely understand exactly where I was coming from.  My dh is the best, its no wonder we get along so well :)  I'll keep everyone updated on what we decide, but don't expect it anytime soon, as it is a decision that will be reached after MANY MANY MANY more conversations.  

Update #2:  Someone was asking about how you get free tuition by having a disabled vet parent.  Here is the form to fill out and send in.  It looks like because I make too much, I probably wouldn't qualify but I'm hoping it can help someone else out.  You want to look at plan B there is no age limit for the child who applies so if your father fought in a war and is disabled from it, then you will qualify to have this benefit.  I really hope someone can use it!

http://www.calvet.ca.gov/Files/VetServices/Fee_Waiver_Form_dvs40.pdf

[matofour]

Why can't you move our of the city. There are lots of country type places within a small commute to NYC, your husband could even take the train to the city for work.
I could never live in the city, but we live within 45 minutes of city and it's quiet, calm, and much more laid back.
I wouldn't ever personally leave my husband, even for a year.

[roxysmommy]

I would 100% not split up my family. My children having access to both parents whenever they are needed/wanted trumps anything else. 

[countrygurl1985]

Well you shouldn't feel like a jerk! Your a concerned mom and that's good! If he works so much then ya maybe you should consider it, but I can't give you much advice cause I'm not in that position and I'm sorry ); my DH is a truck driver so idk but that's something that you need to take into consideration is what you think would make ur little one happy and I think so far that your doing a great job (:

Quoting .betty.white.:

Its really hard.  The thing is my dh will have to work like crazy any way KWIM? But I feel like a jerk for even thinking it.  

Quoting countrygurl1985:

Sounds like your I a tough situation and im sorry that your are! But it also sounds like your little one is happy! It's your choice on what you want to do, but if it were me I'd stay for my childs sake being that he is so happy. Maybe things will get better after a while and I hope that they do for you (: GL mama

[ambermario4ever]

i would do what is best for the kids. and if he really cares then it seems like he would start looking for a new job there.

[diane-b]

I am in Ohio and my husbands in Kentucky and it is working for us... You can always try and if it doesn't work out you can move back... you and your husband should talk it over and see what he thinks and you might be able to give it a try... Good luck for whatever you decide....

[seraphimsong]

This is how I feel too.

Quoting FL2AK:

If you two can handle a long distance I would do it. I am usually not a fan of families doing that, but I could not imagine raising my children in NYC. It is just not a life that I would want for them or for me. If your son is thriving where you are then I would stay. Plus your husband is gone a lot for his work. Since he travels he could come out and spend time with you two.

[kcangel63]

Talk it over with your DH. Write out the pros and cons. Take a video of your ds and send it to him.

Good luck.

[.shank.]

I couldn't. But I simply couldn't live without my dh unless I had to due to deployment, not by choice.


However if you feel like you and your family could survive and be happy doing so, go for it.

What does hubs say about it?

[Lizard_Lina]

Can you find an affordable place outside of the city, at least for that next year, and that way its not a huge distance from dad, but also not the city? Then when things get squared away, if you don't love where youre at, then move?

[sucker4myloves]

It just seems like such a risk for your family, very very easy for partners to stray (not just cheating, I mean emotionally) from one another. Have you talked to DH about it? You guys need to discuss it first. Maybe you could try it for a few months and see if your relationship is surviving and thriving...I can see how you're in such a tough spot. How do you choose between what's best for your son environtmentally and what's best for your family as a whole...