So, I've got a choice. Lets see what gmatclub thinks. Option A) Stay in Chicago keep my current job Option B) Move to DC, change jobs Lets start with option A. OPTION A: PROS: * I keep my current place, which I don't love, but also don't hate. Its comfortable (albeit a bit small). * Wife gets to keep job (which might be a con her in opinion though, hah) * I have more friends in Chicago than I do in DC. * The Chicago booth network is obviously larger in Chicago than in DC. (DC network alumni size around 1200 people, Chicago more like 12,000) Career Related: * My current job affords me the ability to travel the world for next-to-nothing. This perk is balanced by the fact that having a kid makes it difficult to do with any real frequency, but international business class trips are very very nice. * My commute is a comfortable 20 minutes each way. * I have excellent work-life balance. No weekends, home by 7pm 98% of the time. * Although the job offer includes quite a lot of relo, there's obviously $0 cost to staying in Chicago and a non-zero cost to moving. See the option B details for specifics. CONS: * Chicago has few 'weekend trips' -- its flat and there's not much to drive to from here. * Chicago winters suck. Career issues: * the industry I'm in is not one I'm interested in long term. * the industry I'm in offers greater risk and lower reward. Yes, you read that right. Higher risk, less reward. * the job I have has limited upward mobility. Compared to the DC job, a similar position is, at a minimum 18 months away, and more realistically 2 to 3 years away, perhaps even 4. OPTION B: PROS: * Generally, better weather. This is balanced by the fact that summers in DC can be pretty hot and humid. * I have family in DC that would be a huge help with raising kids (babysitting, can help when we are overwhelmed, can take baby when wife and I want to take a vacation, etc) as well as the obvious benefit (to my children) of having them in my childrens lives. * I would access to a 'vacation' home in the suburbs of VA. As it's a family property, I could utilize it whenever I wanted. It has a pool, some ridiculous number of acres, a huge fireplace, etc. There's nothing to do except bbq and drink, but thats kind of the point. It is great way to 'get away' for a weekend for a grand total of $20 in gas and $2 in tolls . This is basically a "quality of life" perk - I'd be able to live as if I owned a vacation home, without any of the associated costs. * Family has property in the Bahamas as well. For a number of reasons, getting there from DCA/IAD is a lot easier than from ORD. Decreased cost and increased options yielding greater utilization, and its a beautiful place to go. * Tons of weekend trips: skiing in VA, beaches nearby, sailing, etc. Career Related: * Higher pay, better title, more responsibility, better (more stable) industry, incredible 401K plan, good benefits, more vacation * More interesting position overall, more aligned with my long-term goals * Supposedly very work-life friendly - work from home if you want, off-hours are OK, etc * Very comprehensive relocation package: all moving costs, house-hunting trips, cost of selling home in Chicago, closing costs buying home in DC, extend-able temporary corporate housing, meal allowances, rental car, etc. The big thing here is that this is, in effect, a subsidy on the sale of my home and the purchase of a new one. * I can switch offices whenever I want. One is in northern VA one is in southern VA. The benefit here is that southern VA has very low cost of living -- if one day I wanted to go that route, it would effectively double my salary according to cost-of-living calculators. The downside is that there's a reason its cheaper, there's very little there by comparison -- and its southern VA, which to a northerner like me is basically the bible belt. CONS: * Traffic in DC is notoriously bad. Hour long commutes are not unheard of and there's no guarantee I could afford a place that wouldn't require this. * Cost of living is higher, driven in large part by housing. This is balanced by the fact that the new job comes with a good pay raise. * Summers can be brutally hot * Wife would have to quit her job/loss of her income (again, she thinks this is a pro) * Repayment of sign-on with current employer. This is a non-trivial figure that I may or may not be able to negotiate down. * Likely would need to purchase a 2nd car, added one-time and recurring expenses. Career Related: * Taking another job so soon ( 1000 in DC, its not tiny either) * Job would require me to split some time between two offices. The two offices are 2 hours apart. The company provides either a rental car or company shuttle (with built in power / wifi / seating w/ desks, drinks ). Although that's nice, doing the commute periodically would be irritating. It possible I would have to do it as much as twice a week. This is balanced in part by the fact that if you dont have to drive and can just sit and work w/ wifi, its not 'wasted' time. Moreover, since the firm has flexible hours I got the impression people who did this did it in off-peak increments (e.g. get there at 10am, leave at 3pm). This is to be confirmed. So, that's just about everything. What would you do?

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Should I stay or should I go now?

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Should I stay or should I go?

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rhyme

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12 Apr 2010, 05:54

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I find it interesting that not one person cared about the repayment of the sign on. It's burning a hole in my decision process, although I'm not sure why since the salary bump would cover the whole thing in under a year.

asimov

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12 Apr 2010, 07:05

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rhyme

Happiness is worth the bonus. Plus, the salary bump would cover the cost. Go for the new job. Exciting!

GoBruin

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12 Apr 2010, 09:13

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I just submitted my vote, it's crazy how it's 17-0 at this point for DC.

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12 Apr 2010, 09:34

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GoBruins

I just submitted my vote, it's crazy how it's 17-0 at this point for DC.

Remember the sample set here, though - this is a poll of a bunch of people that are all about to pick up and move across the country (in most cases, anyway) for a completely new experience and the promise of something more rewarding in the short and long term. I would expect most people here to vote for DC.

GoBruin

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12 Apr 2010, 09:51

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smkrn

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I just submitted my vote, it's crazy how it's 17-0 at this point for DC.

Or we're just all into "Mo' Money, Mo' Money, Mo' Money"

rhyme

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12 Apr 2010, 12:41

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Well now a few more people voted for Chicago.

rhyme

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03 May 2010, 08:42

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Just to update: Decision made. DC it is.

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03 May 2010, 09:43

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rhyme

Just to update: Decision made. DC it is.

Rhyme, will you be available in Chicago for one final round of drinks when I land there?

rhyme

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03 May 2010, 13:23

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rhyme

Just to update: Decision made. DC it is.

Rhyme, will you be available in Chicago for one final round of drinks when I land there?

When are you landing?

I can always be convinced to come back for a drink.

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03 May 2010, 19:36

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Not so early.

Second week of August.

When are you moving, by the way?

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03 May 2010, 22:08

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rhyme

I am too late in here. I would also vote for DC. Regarding the bonus, well, I am paying back the full tuition and 20 months of living expenses to my old company. This is huge money now; nevertheless, as we live just once I am willing to take this risk. I probably am more risk taker than you, and I would not suggest you to follow my decision path, but reading what you posted I could not forget the Managing in Organizations class we took together: you were convincing yourself regarding your decision, it was already made when you came here. :-D

Let's celebrate grabbing a couple of beers this week or next if you are available.

rhyme

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Posts: 5,909

Kudos: 3,172

04 May 2010, 04:10

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unplugged

Not so early.

Second week of August.

When are you moving, by the way?

Maybe I can swing back for it.... but I'll be starting the new job in June.

rhyme

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Given Kudos: 7

Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society

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Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009

GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45 Verified score

Posts: 5,909

Kudos: 3,172

[1]

04 May 2010, 13:08

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I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to reach out and talk to me about life in DC...... It was instrumental in helping us make a decision and my wife and I thank you!

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