Help me decide next job

Lubaolong

Lubaolong

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I’m a little conflicted and having tough time pulling the trigger.

Option 1: Midwest (current location). Know the city well, have friends here, family is well-established here, kids in school and involved in all these ECs. Job is fairly chill and well-known to me. Average pay, good benefits.

Option 2: Bay Area, CA. Lived there previously for years. Was contacted recently by previous acquaintance encouraging me to move. Higher cost of living (primarily housing) but increased salary helps offset this. Salary 30% higher, retirement benefits 2x as much. Obviously better food and more to do, but grass is brown and dead looking everywhere. Will take a lot of work to get established there. Kids sad of the prospect of moving and leaving all their friends behind.
 
For your troubles

flat,550x550,075,f.u3.jpg
 
No way I'd move to CA for a 30% pay increase. I wouldn't move at all for 30% for that matter, but the increased COL in CA will eat that up in a hurry. It would take a LOT more than that to uproot my kids from their friends and family. Not to mention you may end up hating your job. Way too much risk for very little return.
 
#1: Thanks for the pic. Not nearly enough TS’ do this and it’s appreciated.

#2: 30% doesn’t seem like enough at first glance to move to the Bay Area. In addition to the COL, you’ve probably got increased commute time, etc coming from the Midwest unless you are in Chicago or something.

However, since you’ve lived there before you clearly know the drill. Did you have your kids when you were there previously? The cost for the EC’s will be more as well.

It probably comes down to if you want to move your kids at this point. I’ve been living in the Chicagoland area for the past few years and my fam loves it, but I know my next role will most likely include a move. Maybe to the Bay Area actually. Trying to prep myself for it now.
 
It's 50/50 to you, and your kids are heartbroken by the thought of having to leave their friends and all they know behind?

I guess it boils down to if you're into your own personal adventure, or you're into your kids having a safe upbringing and keeping their friends.
 
OP don't you have gas/service station experience? You can work anywhere you want!
 
blkjack said:
#1: Thanks for the pic. Not nearly enough TS’ do this and it’s appreciated.

#2: 30% doesn’t seem like enough at first glance to move to the Bay Area. In addition to the COL, you’ve probably got increased commute time, etc coming from the Midwest unless you are in Chicago or something.

However, since you’ve lived there before you clearly know the drill. Did you have your kids when you were there previously? The cost for the EC’s will be more as well.

It probably comes down to if you want to move your kids at this point. I’ve been living in the Chicagoland area for the past few years and my fam loves it, but I know my next role will most likely include a move. Maybe to the Bay Area actually. Trying to prep myself for it now.
Click to expand...

The biggest COL increase is housing. But I assume I would probably spend around the same amount and just have a much smaller house. Aside from housing, other expenses seem to be 15-20% higher there from online calculators I’ve checked, which I think will more than be made up for by the increased salary. Calpers pension is also pretty huge I think. So the major drawback seems to be smaller house, a bit shittier traffic, kids’ friends, and brown grass. I’m rather indifferent. It’s more convenient to stay where I am, but I can appreciate the benefits of living in the Bay Area. Wife is eager to move. Kids want to stay. I’m torn.
 
loisestrad said:
It's 50/50 to you, and your kids are heartbroken by the thought of having to leave their friends and all they know behind?

I guess it boils down to if you're into your own personal adventure, or you're into your kids having a safe upbringing and keeping their friends.
Click to expand...
I feel bad for them, but people come and go, and I know they can make new friends. it’s more $ for the future, which isn’t insignificant.
 
Not sure how much you make, but I imagine 30% increase won't offset the cost of living increase. 30% increase will likely bump up your tax bracket, so I wouldn't be surprised if the 30% salary increase turns into a net 15% increase.
 
Lubaolong said:
I’m a little conflicted and having tough time pulling the trigger.

Option 1: Midwest (current location). Know the city well, have friends here, family is well-established here, kids in school and involved in all these ECs. Job is fairly chill and well-known to me. Average pay, good benefits.

Option 2: Bay Area, CA. Lived there previously for years. Was contacted recently by previous acquaintance encouraging me to move. Higher cost of living (primarily housing) but increased salary helps offset this. Salary 30% higher, retirement benefits 2x as much. Obviously better food and more to do, but grass is brown and dead looking everywhere. Will take a lot of work to get established there. Kids sad of the prospect of moving and leaving all their friends behind.
Click to expand...
Seems like you have a list of cons for the second but not the first.
 
Nothing to contribute as usual, but threw you a like for the titties.
 
Lubaolong said:
I’m a little conflicted and having tough time pulling the trigger.

Option 1: Midwest (current location). Know the city well, have friends here, family is well-established here, kids in school and involved in all these ECs. Job is fairly chill and well-known to me. Average pay, good benefits.

Option 2: Bay Area, CA. Lived there previously for years. Was contacted recently by previous acquaintance encouraging me to move. Higher cost of living (primarily housing) but increased salary helps offset this. Salary 30% higher, retirement benefits 2x as much. Obviously better food and more to do, but grass is brown and dead looking everywhere. Will take a lot of work to get established there. Kids sad of the prospect of moving and leaving all their friends behind.
Click to expand...
It's hard to move once you are settled in a place.

The higher cost of living shouldn't be a deterrent for a high-payed doctor; isn't a 30% increase like $100G or something? The housing cost doesn't matter because the house will hold its value; think of it as a bank account that is difficult to access. As for other cost of living expenses, an extra $100G buys a lot of bread and milk at any price, and you can use that extra money to fly back to the Midwest whenever you feel homesick.

The drawback I see for the Bay Area is that it can be a pain in the ass to get kids into extracurricular activities and then to shuttle them around. I find the biggest complaint that people have about living in big cities is the traffic.
 
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How old are the kids? If they're still in grade school, who cares, their social/school experiences are going to be disrupted significantly over the next decade anyway. If they're in high school, wait it out. It's gonna be a nightmare on the transition and you could screw up something that's relevant to their college applications.
 
Do you have solid numbers to work with? What part of Bay Area?
 
Do what makes you happy. If you hate your current job, move. If you don't, the grass isn't always greener.. could show up and absolutely hate it.
 
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