Been thinking about moving on to next job. My current job pays okay...comfortable living, but terrible boss. The only problem is I kinda like where I live (a sunbelt state).

Went for an interview "up north" and, honestly, I started missing palm trees already. Now, the job itself was pretty interesting and I liked the people...it's just that I'm realizing that I like where I live much more than I thought...actually the place AND a handful of close friends I made.

If I consider my career only, I know that moving on is probably the right decision (different, interesting job with some more cash). But right now, I feel like I'll be missing where I live a lot. For the record, I felt exactly like this when I moved from last place (another sunbelt state) to where I live. But it seems like moving up north will be a whole different story.

So what criteria do ya'll use to make a decision? What's the most important thing to you? Your career? Friends and Family? Or location?

 

Well IMO, I don't know if you have kids or not, but If I had kids, schools would be most important to me. If you don't have kids, then I'd say location (want some place quiet with things to do), friends, and family (never a bad thing knowing you have people around you can trust).

Andre

 

No kids, I'm single. That's what I noticed too. There are ppl I know who want to "burst out" but they stay because of kids and wife's job. Thannks man .

 

Well then... if you're single and ready to mingle, moving out and meeting a whole different set of people is never a bad thing. Keeps things interesting and opens up a new chapter in your life.

Andre

 

Overall satisfaction factor of job and area. I know that is ambiguous but if you can't fit your work into your life then the work sux.

You also need to be in an area that you can have fun and have a life. As you mentioned the sunbelt is the only way to go!!! I have lived up north and I don't like the people and I can't live with the weather.

If I made a fortune at a job up there (and the cost of living is greater there as well) I'd spend that fortune taking trips back to areas that I could defrost.

I like my living vacation areas to be just like my women - WARM & WET

 

... Yep, he's got the right idea here. Good thinking...

Andre

 

you guys are not making it any easier . I grew up in Seattle, so you'd think I should be able to handle the gloomy weather .

 

Money, benefits, and school system.

But you never know how the boss and employees will be at another place, so that can't be the only deciding factor.

But you will hate working for a boss you hate for years and years.

 

if you don't think you'll like the north, then keeping looking of other jobs. i'm sure there are other interesting jobs all over the country that you qualify for. or, you can just change your perspective, and see this change as an adventure, not not so much as what you will miss and leave behind.

 

#1 would be job market and #2 would be housing costs. Just about anything is cheaper than Florida at the moment when it comes to homes. 200k doesn't buy much here anymore. A decent home that will last is 300k or more.