Barry Darsow
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2009
- Messages
- 84
I am at a crossroads.
I'm well into my 30s and work in the IT/software field I make a decent salary in the low cost of living area I'm in (mid to upper 50s) although that is considered low for a software developer.
I have been at my current job for 11 years. Due to being underpaid and my skillset being somewhat underutilized, I thought that I would look at other opportunities. There are very few jobs in my field within a 50 mile radius and the skills they are looking for don't match my qualifications so I thought I would expand my search to nearby cities.
I have an opportunity to relocate three hours away to a small town just outside of a large city. Everything seems good for the most part (pay, benefits, type of work, management seems friendly, etc). The pay is significantly higher (40%). The cost of living in this town is reasonable. The one major issue is that I would have to relocate.
I own a small house that I like in an area that I like. The mortgage is low and very affordable. In fact, I could pay off the house now.
Jumping ship would mean moving to an apartment where the rent would cost several hundred dollars over my current mortgage.
If I moved, I would be three hours away from family/friends but closer to job opportunities. The nearest big city from this town would be 30 minutes. I am currently 90+ minutes from the nearest big city to my house.
Here's what I'm pondering:
1) Stay put at the current job (which has been stable so far but who knows about the future), pay off the house, and work on side projects (which is my long term goal - to be self employed). It's relatively low stress but there is on call which is rare but can be an annoyance. I have a commute of 45-50 min each way which can also be an annoyance. Hopefully the job lasts long enough to where I can transition into being self employed full time.
2) Take a chance on this job offer and relocate. Then make a decision whether to keep house (and commute every weekend), rent it, or sell it (which I would hate to do).
3) Stay at current job and start looking in the nearest big city (90 min away). Once I find something, either move closer to that city or to the city itself. I really don't think I can spend 3+ hours a day commuting over the long haul.
If I go with #2, what should I do with my house? A family member already said he wants to buy or rent it out if I were to ever move. Not sure if it is a good idea to rent it to family though. Another option would be to keep it and go home most weekends if I can find a low cost apartment near the job. I would actually not be doing any more driving than I do now (with the current commute) if I were to go this route...most of my driving would be 2 days rather than 5.
Any suggestions or insight would be appreciated, thanks!
I'm well into my 30s and work in the IT/software field I make a decent salary in the low cost of living area I'm in (mid to upper 50s) although that is considered low for a software developer.
I have been at my current job for 11 years. Due to being underpaid and my skillset being somewhat underutilized, I thought that I would look at other opportunities. There are very few jobs in my field within a 50 mile radius and the skills they are looking for don't match my qualifications so I thought I would expand my search to nearby cities.
I have an opportunity to relocate three hours away to a small town just outside of a large city. Everything seems good for the most part (pay, benefits, type of work, management seems friendly, etc). The pay is significantly higher (40%). The cost of living in this town is reasonable. The one major issue is that I would have to relocate.
I own a small house that I like in an area that I like. The mortgage is low and very affordable. In fact, I could pay off the house now.
Jumping ship would mean moving to an apartment where the rent would cost several hundred dollars over my current mortgage.
If I moved, I would be three hours away from family/friends but closer to job opportunities. The nearest big city from this town would be 30 minutes. I am currently 90+ minutes from the nearest big city to my house.
Here's what I'm pondering:
1) Stay put at the current job (which has been stable so far but who knows about the future), pay off the house, and work on side projects (which is my long term goal - to be self employed). It's relatively low stress but there is on call which is rare but can be an annoyance. I have a commute of 45-50 min each way which can also be an annoyance. Hopefully the job lasts long enough to where I can transition into being self employed full time.
2) Take a chance on this job offer and relocate. Then make a decision whether to keep house (and commute every weekend), rent it, or sell it (which I would hate to do).
3) Stay at current job and start looking in the nearest big city (90 min away). Once I find something, either move closer to that city or to the city itself. I really don't think I can spend 3+ hours a day commuting over the long haul.
If I go with #2, what should I do with my house? A family member already said he wants to buy or rent it out if I were to ever move. Not sure if it is a good idea to rent it to family though. Another option would be to keep it and go home most weekends if I can find a low cost apartment near the job. I would actually not be doing any more driving than I do now (with the current commute) if I were to go this route...most of my driving would be 2 days rather than 5.
Any suggestions or insight would be appreciated, thanks!