Ever moved for a job and later regretted it?
If you had an opportunity to move and didn't take it, did you regret it?
If you had an opportunity to move and didn't take it, did you regret it?
Moving for a job
- Thread starter Formerly Rockymtnole
- Start date
I moved from Tallahassee area to north Georgia for the job I have now. But I knew going in I was only going to work the job for a couple of years. We bought a house in north Georgia and plan to retire there so I took the job to tide me over until I do retire which is 4 months away.
Almost 11 years ago I moved from Dallas (where all my family has been for generations) out to Northern Virginia for a job. I love Texas and hating leaving it, and all my family, behind. My family was very sad about me leaving - especially my dad, who'd moved to be closer to where I lived in Dallas - but they knew why I had to go. I went from being surrounded by parents, my sister and her family, aunts & uncles, cousins, all my friends, to only seeing them maybe once per year.
That said, I don't regret doing it at all. It was, and still is, the right move for me and my wife and kid. I would have regretted it if I hadn't done it.
That said, I don't regret doing it at all. It was, and still is, the right move for me and my wife and kid. I would have regretted it if I hadn't done it.
Moved from the Bay Area in FL to the Bay Area in CA. It was actually the second time I lived there and don't regret the move but do regret the promotion that caused it. The company got bought right after and I ended up working for an ahole. I then quit after they asked me to move again to the other office in San Diego. It was fun but I was glad to get back home to Florida.
We moved a BUNCH for "promotions" which was par for the course in the 70's and 80's and half of the moves I dreaded and still recall the places we had to live with disdain. The worst was New Jersey and not far behind was Wisconsin.
I'm one of those Florida girls who could NOT adjust to the climate and the people and the local customs.
I just cannot deal with not seeing the sun for two weeks at a time and the dirty snow and cold.
I'm one of those Florida girls who could NOT adjust to the climate and the people and the local customs.
I just cannot deal with not seeing the sun for two weeks at a time and the dirty snow and cold.
I moved from Chicago to Atlanta for a new job but could have stayed in Chicago. We wanted to get closer to my wife's family down in Florida and thought Atlanta would be a good spot. We hated in Atlanta, lasted only 13 months there and purchased a house in Orlando where we live now. The bright spot of Atlanta is that we became FSU season ticket holders and Boosters which we have had ever since. The biggest regret I have over the last 16 years is moving away from Chicago when we had. So much more professional growth and we left some amazingly genuine friends. Wife and I are actually considering moving back once the kids are back in school and we figure out where we want to be for the next 12 to 15 years while our kids are in grade/middle/high school.
You like Orlando over Atlanta? Goodness. Where'd you live in 'Atlanta'? Lilburn? Snellville? Cobb County?
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
There are certain areas of Orlando that I'd prefer over suburban/exurban Atlanta.
You nailed a handful of them.
I moved from PC to Lake County (Eustis) and then to Tally. While I liked the work I was doing in Eustis over the work I was doing in PC, I prefered PC. As for Tallahassee, it is about the same. I like my job much more in Tallahassee or should I say the type of work I do (would love finding a promotion or move to the private sector within Tallahassee), but I think for part of me, PC will always be home. Just no good jobs in PC.
Lived in Buckhead. Preferred Chicago over Atlanta. Considering we didn't want to build a life in Atlanta and we were not going to move back to Chicago we figured let's get back to Florida. People can crap on Florida and some of their cities but my wife has an easy life, my kids are having a blast and my money goes insanely far. I'm stuck flying Monday through Thurs for work but that's the decision we made. Once we don't need a cheap nanny / home care for the little ones we will venture back to a city I think. Also, Dr. Phillips, Winter Park, downtown, etc. have some decent restaurants but right now we have young family so those things are not as important as we don't venture out much.
I think when you start off with a big city with lots of big business, great public transportation and a great culture then a lot of other middle tier cities just don't stack up. My friends that went to Atlanta right out of undergrad loved it but for me it didn't measure up to a Chicago, New York, San Fran, etc.
I think when you start off with a big city with lots of big business, great public transportation and a great culture then a lot of other middle tier cities just don't stack up. My friends that went to Atlanta right out of undergrad loved it but for me it didn't measure up to a Chicago, New York, San Fran, etc.
I currently have the opportunity to move to Hawaii but cannot convince the wife. The job would only be about 60 grand a year and she would have to leave hers, which would probably make us broke. The smart thing would be not to move but it's freaking Hawaii!
loved SoCal but moved to Western Colorado for work. loved it there but moved to Seattle for work. love it there but now considering a move to Portland or back to SoCal for work.
60 grand on Hawaii gets you nothing but a cottage in Poorsville....everything there is 5x more expensive than on the mainland.
Yea, one of the arguments against moving. It is basically what I make here in Tampa . Honestly though some of the property I have seen for Rent in Kauai is not that much more then I am paying to live here. I know food is another big expence but I guess Kuai has a Costco which has made food a little cheaper (according to my would be boss). But with the Wife having to leave her job and who knows how long it would take her to find a job in Kauai, does not look like the move can happen. If I was still single, I would do it in a heartbeat. I would live in a shack for a few years to get that experience. Hawaii would never be a place I would want to stay long term but ould be nice to soak in the surf for a while though.
I recently moved to the Houston area and I have been offered a job with my former company for ALOT more money to move back to Iowa...
If I was single I would have already been gone but my gf has much better job prospects here than she would up there.
Plus my kids are in Dallas and I get to see them every other weekend now.
If I was single I would have already been gone but my gf has much better job prospects here than she would up there.
Plus my kids are in Dallas and I get to see them every other weekend now.
I just did not understand the hate for Atlanta, especially when you 'love' Orlando. When I had to travel M-Th, I 'loved' Atlanta especially when the rest of my colleagues had to catch a connecting flight down to Florida, adding an extra 2-3 hours to their return commute. Atlanta really does not compare to the upper tier cities, but for the low cost of living, direct flights everywhere, easy access/buffer to family in Florida, access to mountain house in Blowing Rock, it fits my lifestyle well I do agree with RRR, you have to pick the right area. Buckhead, is well, Buckhead. A non-walkable, car-centric, bland, frat-bonanza. The intown neighborhoods give Atlanta its character, and the intown development in those neighborhoods (Midtown espeically) over the past few years has been nothing short of incredible. /end CoC speech
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
I moved from Charlotte to Atlanta for a job and don't regret it. I'm the one person apparently in the world that didn't really like Charlotte very much. For the stage of life we were in with small kids, it just wasn't a good fit at all.
Atlanta has been good to us, but I'm counting the days for the next 7 years until my youngest is off to college, and we're gone. Don't know where yet, but we're ready for a change. We live in the suburban hell that others have described in Atlanta. It's been great for raising a family...top notch schools, safe, nice yard, everything we need is convenient, etc...and it's eating my soul day by day. I wouldn't change raising my kids here for anything, but I can't wait to get out and live somewhere else.
Atlanta has been good to us, but I'm counting the days for the next 7 years until my youngest is off to college, and we're gone. Don't know where yet, but we're ready for a change. We live in the suburban hell that others have described in Atlanta. It's been great for raising a family...top notch schools, safe, nice yard, everything we need is convenient, etc...and it's eating my soul day by day. I wouldn't change raising my kids here for anything, but I can't wait to get out and live somewhere else.
I moved to Tallahassee for my job. I don't regret a moment of it. Love it here.
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
1. LOL at anyone who thinks that Atlanta is not a "top tier" city. Haven't been there in years but let's be real about how America is changing. Chicago is a great place for what, 5 months of the year? Take home pay after those taxes? It's the freaking NORTH.
2. If you are moving for a job, you have so many things to think about if you have a family. We had the drill down when we were on the "move train". Call realtor, ask around, find the best school district and then find a house and make it work.
Your instant circle is comprised of your spouse's colleagues in the new city and the first impression politics is seriously funky, as I look back on it now.
3. If you find a place to live that ends up being "the place" for your family, you have to weigh all factors as to future advancement with your current company. If you have to leave the company to stay in that city, better hope you can find another job in your field at a comparable level.
After a while we hated the whole thing. We turned down opportunities (ha that's questionable) to live in Cincinnati, Grand Rapids Michigan, Omaha Nebraska, and Davenport Iowa. I got to a point where I just refused to move back anywhere in the upper Midwest or Northeast. It's not worth it. I regret that we pulled our kids all over the country. Dallas gave us big city life and employment opportunities that made it easy to get off the move train. If you like change, then, by all means go for it.
2. If you are moving for a job, you have so many things to think about if you have a family. We had the drill down when we were on the "move train". Call realtor, ask around, find the best school district and then find a house and make it work.
Your instant circle is comprised of your spouse's colleagues in the new city and the first impression politics is seriously funky, as I look back on it now.
3. If you find a place to live that ends up being "the place" for your family, you have to weigh all factors as to future advancement with your current company. If you have to leave the company to stay in that city, better hope you can find another job in your field at a comparable level.
After a while we hated the whole thing. We turned down opportunities (ha that's questionable) to live in Cincinnati, Grand Rapids Michigan, Omaha Nebraska, and Davenport Iowa. I got to a point where I just refused to move back anywhere in the upper Midwest or Northeast. It's not worth it. I regret that we pulled our kids all over the country. Dallas gave us big city life and employment opportunities that made it easy to get off the move train. If you like change, then, by all means go for it.
Moved from Raleigh, NC to Seattle, WA for a job. No regrets, well wishing there was a Seattle to Tallahassee direct flight in the fall
I graduated college a couple years ago. I moved to the north suburbs of Chicago, then down to Augusta GA, back home, and took a job in Milwaukee 6 months ago.
Milwaukee > Chicago >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Augusta
Milwaukee > Chicago >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Augusta
I am in a similar situation to Lou. We will be moving to FL as soon as the kids are off to college. My countdown however is only 3 years. I should be able to work from home in my current position if I want but by then it may be time for a change. We won't be moving for work rather for the weather and lifestyle. Can't wait. We are on zillow and realtor.com almost every day, especially when it snows.
Moved from DFW to the gulf coast of Florida. No regrets at all.
Moved from gulf coast of Florida to Raleigh NC for 3 month contract. Preferred living on the gulf but if need to move in the future I would absolutely enjoy moving back to Raleigh.
Moved from gulf coast of Florida to Raleigh NC for 3 month contract. Preferred living on the gulf but if need to move in the future I would absolutely enjoy moving back to Raleigh.
I (we) just moved about 9 months ago from Tallahassee to the Treasure Coast area. I was at my job for nearly 15 years, had 2 kids (had one on the way) and was limited by financial growth. Tallahassee's cheap but there also wasn't a lot to do beyond family stuff. I always loved everything about Tallahassee (besides that) but part of that love was familiarity and comfort (been there since 1996). I almost took a job in San Francisco but that would have been a huge life style change for my wife and kids (I grew up there).
I don't regret the move but I need to be mindful of my wife and kids, make sure they've assimilated well. With the move, my wife gets to stay home w/ the new baby girl, we got a bigger house, we're closer to Orlando (key with kids), West Palm Beach and south Florida (wife's family).
The one thing I do regret is the schools in Leon County >>>>> greater than Martin County. Even though my kids go to an "A" rated school, the curriculum is still far behind and it drives the wife and I a little crazy.
I don't regret the move but I need to be mindful of my wife and kids, make sure they've assimilated well. With the move, my wife gets to stay home w/ the new baby girl, we got a bigger house, we're closer to Orlando (key with kids), West Palm Beach and south Florida (wife's family).
The one thing I do regret is the schools in Leon County >>>>> greater than Martin County. Even though my kids go to an "A" rated school, the curriculum is still far behind and it drives the wife and I a little crazy.
I'm supposed to move every three years but have only moved four times in the last fourteen (liked 3 hated 1). However, my luck has run its course and I will move at a minimum every three years but probably will average closer to two for the next decade pluse. I'm sure many of those moves will be fantastic and many will suck.
Moved from Tampa to Indy 20+ months ago for a return the corporate world.
PRO'S
- The money is crazy good. Literally 5x what we last made in Tampa. I had my own business and sold it. We were living on a teachers salary which didn't get a family of 4 very far. The extra money will help us get back on track financially(long term)
- Cost of living has made our money go even further which is nice.
- While the winters have been tough, I don't mind the change of seasons.
- The schools are light years better than Tampa. I'm glad for my kids sake they are getting this educational experience. It will make them better in the world. My youngest is in 10th grade so we have a commitment for 2.5 more years.
CONS
- The wife and I don't have a circle of friends like we did in Tampa. Our neighborhood is full of young families so we don't have much in common.
- Wife doen't like the cold weather all that much.
- We are further away from family, especially my MIL. She is my kids last grandparent and she's in her 70's so we'd like to get closer at some point.
Overall we can't complain. These kinds of life choices are a crap shoot. You make the best of it and plug along. Hopefully we'll make ourselves financially secure with the move (which wouldn't have happened had we stayed in Tampa) in 3-5 years and then we are free to go wherever life takes us.
PRO'S
- The money is crazy good. Literally 5x what we last made in Tampa. I had my own business and sold it. We were living on a teachers salary which didn't get a family of 4 very far. The extra money will help us get back on track financially(long term)
- Cost of living has made our money go even further which is nice.
- While the winters have been tough, I don't mind the change of seasons.
- The schools are light years better than Tampa. I'm glad for my kids sake they are getting this educational experience. It will make them better in the world. My youngest is in 10th grade so we have a commitment for 2.5 more years.
CONS
- The wife and I don't have a circle of friends like we did in Tampa. Our neighborhood is full of young families so we don't have much in common.
- Wife doen't like the cold weather all that much.
- We are further away from family, especially my MIL. She is my kids last grandparent and she's in her 70's so we'd like to get closer at some point.
Overall we can't complain. These kinds of life choices are a crap shoot. You make the best of it and plug along. Hopefully we'll make ourselves financially secure with the move (which wouldn't have happened had we stayed in Tampa) in 3-5 years and then we are free to go wherever life takes us.
We moved from my hometown (Daytona Beach area) to small town South Alabama (after a 9 month layover in Tallahassee) and it was a perfect move for us. Good job that I enjoy, super low cost of living, slow pace of life, no traffic, and friendly people. Plus the easy access to family but still enough of a buffer that it works out just right.
I realize that some people "have to" move in order to maintain their employment. But I never really grasped the idea of voluntarily hauling all over the country chasing a "better" job. That "better" job would need to be monstrously superior to the existing one to get my attention.
After all levels of taxation, a hypotethetical 50K pay raise is whittled down to maybe 30K net. Nothing to sneeze at, but it won't materially change your life. Meanwhile, you root up kids and change their social and educational networks? Not for me.....would have to be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of gig for me to even think about a voluntary uprooting.
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After all levels of taxation, a hypotethetical 50K pay raise is whittled down to maybe 30K net. Nothing to sneeze at, but it won't materially change your life. Meanwhile, you root up kids and change their social and educational networks? Not for me.....would have to be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of gig for me to even think about a voluntary uprooting.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
If you think atlanta compares to Chicago then you just lost a bit of credibility. Yes it has the size but it is a cement city like Dallas and lacks character. Also the north suburbs is not Chicago to another poster. Milwaukee is a neat city but doesn't compare to Chicago. Again atlanta wasn't our cup of tea. Just my perspective. I would move to Indy, Chicago, Nashville, or Charlotte over atlanta in a heart beat. Also the taxes in Atlanta / Georgia are miserable. My paycheck went up by 500 bucks a month moving to Florida. Recognize I'll take a haircut if I move back up to Chicago.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Oops, not my intent to escalate anything. I think both cities are top tier, but that is my opinion. I think Chicago represents "old" big city and Atlanta is "new" big city. That is what I meant by referencing how America is changing. That does not mean that I think Chicago is by any means a dying city. I am just not a fan (as I'm sure you could deduce) of anything in the upper Midwest or the northeast. I'll take a Southern city all day long and twice on Sunday. Different strokes for different folks!
had to choose between a stable full time job offer in new orleans and a series of short term contracts in tucson az.... passed on the higher pay and stability and moved out west.... i passed because i had a bad trip in mardi gras.... needless to say that was 12 months before katrina... my gut feeling saved me from a natural disaster...
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