Stop getting yourself involved with this discussion.
You do what is best for you and your family and let the chorus sing their disapproval.
You have no personal relationship with any of these people, hence they are irrelevant to you, so don't let their comments upset you.
Everybody on this forum is just a name and opinions. Nothing more. You may end up finding true friendship but I'm sure by the time you spend real life time with others, you will wish you never had the misfortune of coming across them.
Stay focused, you, your friends and anyone else and I wish you all the best with your applications.
When your children thank you for the steps you took now, in the future, see whether you will be concerned about what people said.
There are people who will begrudge those going through famine in Somalia if they tried all that is possible to relocate and survive. Don't let it surprise you, human beings are inherently selfish.