To flee or not to flee?
November 10th, 2006
While we’re on the subject of career change and the possible financial or lifestyle trade-offs that can come with it, I thought I’d share this recent article from CareerJournal.com on when relocating for a new gig is and isn’t worth it.
I relocated when I was 30, but it wasn’t such a radical move — San Francisco to Seattle. I knew Seattle well, having a sister, a college buddy, and an ex-beau up here. So I had plenty of time (years, in fact) to check out le new surroundings before packing everything I couldn’t bear to sell into my Civic and making the 850-mile drive north for good.
I must confess, my move wasn’t solely for the job; it was for the simpler, more affordable lifestyle I’d surmised Seattle would allow me. So when the job ended after a year (it was an indefinite contract job, only somewhere along the way, the company instituted a three-month “break in service” policy that meant I had to leave the gig after twelve months), I wasn’t left thinking, Damn! I moved here just for the job and now I’m hosed. Also, I had my former freelance clients to fall back on for work when I was, for all intents and purposes, laid off. So getting the axe was hardly devastating.
What do you think? Have you ever jumped ship and started anew elsewhere for a job you couldn’t refuse at the time? How did it turn out? What would you do differently if you could hit rewind?
Entry Filed under: Money honey, Overworked and underpaid, This freelance life
2 Comments Add your own
1. ddv | November 10th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Just shy of 2 years ago I was told my job was moving from Fargo, ND, to Seattle. I was giving the option of having my company move my family out here. It wasn’t really an option since they wouldn’t tell me what would have should I decline, but I had a pretty good idea as a few others on my team were laid off at the same time.
It was really nice and helpful to have the company pick up all the moving expenses. They flew my family out early to look for a house, had movers pack and ship all our stuff, and put us up in temporary housing once we got here.
The worlds of difference between Fargo and Seattle almost defy words. We have really liked the move so far–the weather is much much much better, lots more to do, we have fallen in love with Thai food (no exposure in ND).
Sticker shock at housing was by far the biggest issue we had to overcome. There is just no comparison between Fargo and Seattle. For what we were paying in rent in our first apartment in Bellevue we could have had a McMansion on the golf course in Fargo.
I do miss the sense of community and people in Fargo. The city was full of friendly people that cared about each other. In the winter you could/would leave your car running when you ran into the store, and it would be there when you got back. You just don’t find that out here.
After nearly 2 years we don’t regret the decision to move. We have a home in the burbs, which makes it feel a bit like Fargo, and both my wife and I have had career opportunities not available in Fargo.
Who knows if we will move again or where the in the world life will take us, but so far, so good….
~ddv
2. Michelle Goodman | November 10th, 2006 at 11:36 am
thanks for sharing. glad you like it here…!
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