Pros:
- We need a job with excellent health benefits, with my disease. This would easily solve that, and reduce the need for me to find a job with benefits.
- The long-term career potential for M is huge. There's really no career upside at his current job.
- While the salary is comparable to what he is getting now, the stock options that would vest over the next few years would be very big.
- The weather would sure be nice :-)
- When I'm ready for another career, or even more flexible contract work, the job market in San Francisco is huge, & perfect for my skill set.
- It's a nice transition as I quit my job, and would take some time off to get us moved, get the kids all settled, etc.
- Relocating. The general stress & work involved - especially because we'd like to have the kids start school there, which gives us just over a month.
- Selling our house here, which we love & has a ridiculously low interest rate, which we'd lose.
- Selling our beach house, which makes me very, very sad. :-(
- The cost of living is insane. Housing, state income tax, etc. One more time for emphasis - the COST OF HOUSING.
- And, the biggest issue for me - we'd be further from my family. M doesn't see this as a big issue, as we don't get a chance to see them *that* frequently, but I know moving would mean we see them a lot less anyway.
Holy smokes! So much to consider, & so much to do!!
Have you ever relocated? Tips or advice? Do you live in the San Francisco area? Can you recommend nice areas with great schools? :-)
Wow. Big changes. I'd totally go for the relocation (though I may be biased, since it's a dream of mine, with or without a job lined). I wish you good luck and heaven's guidance on your decision. Definitely wait until the offer before setting your heart one way or another.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We're cautious until we get final details, but excited about the potential.
DeleteWow, big changes. Wait until you see all the pros/cons. It may sound like a great job now but not so great once everything is weighed out. Kind of stressful for you though!
ReplyDeleteIt can definitely go either way - should be an interesting few weeks.
DeleteBe sure to weigh carefully with the increased living expenses just how much better off financially you'd be living in the Bay area.
ReplyDeleteIt sort of the old "if the wife works but all her money goes to pay daycare, how much better off are we really than if she stays home?" question, set to your particular scenario.
Good luck on making the decision that is right for your family!
There are lots of parts to consider, that is for sure. Still waiting to see the final details, but the relocation package that's been discussed is lucrative. We're still calculating - most especially how the California state tax will impact our net income.
DeleteFirst, congrats on the job offer! No matter what you decide, it's always nice to find out that someone else (with benefits ;-)) likes you!
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco was actually our first choice for relocation, but when we figured out the tax hit we'd take in California there was no way. Hawai'i has a similarly high cost of living, but none of our income is taxed by the state, so it won out. SF is still my all-time favorite city though.
Can't wait to hear how this turns out!
It's funny, because I would prefer a relocation to Hawaii, but the islands aren't exactly known for their tech industry. ;-) Will definitely be posting lots of details as we weight out the decisions.
DeleteWow! Sounds exciting, scary and nerve wracking! It does seem to be very good timing though ...
ReplyDeleteSuper exciting! And, definitely scary to think about.
DeleteBig decisions ahead for you either way. Would the cost of housing be that much more than what you're paying for your current primary house and beach house?
ReplyDeleteNot when you factor them together, although we have a ridiculously low interest rate on both properties that we'd lose, so we'd be paying more for the mortgage.
DeleteHow exciting!! Good luck! I know you'll make the best decision for your family. I relocated across the world, and I know how stressful it can be but in my case, it was the best decision ever :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is definitely exciting - and stressful.
DeleteWow! Very exciting! It sounds like you both have a big decision to make. Would you definitely need to sell the beach house - could you rent it out to buy you some time?
ReplyDeletePS. I would totally relocate - but that's just me who's so ready to move house! :)
Nope, we'd definitely need to sell if I'm not working. It's a little hard to think about, but we'd be able to afford a house in a much nicer school district if we sell the vacation house.
DeleteWould the money from the sale of the beach house, plus having that monthly mortgage money now "available" help with the cost of housing in SF?
ReplyDeleteWill your diagnosis prevent you from getting new insurance, as a preexisting condition?
We won't really make much on the beach house (the market on the coast is still pretty soft), but it would free up cash flow, and that would make a huge difference.
DeleteDo you need to sell the each house? You could still go there. I think the relocation would be so exciting. Especially if there's more income. It would also be the perfect way for you to ease out of your job. SF is extremely expensive. But there are outlying areas that could work.
ReplyDeleteYep, need to sell it to afford property in the bay area.
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