Post: #1

I'm curious to get some feedback:

I've been planning a move from the city I currently live in for months now. I moved in with a family member so I wouldn't have a lease, liquidated many of my belongings, and have a pending lease for an apartment in my new locale. Last week I was unexpectedly presented a job offer that is great but would require me to stay. I despise this city but the amount of coin involved is making me seriously reconsider moving.

Post: #2

You've given very little info, and this is far too big a decision to leave up to a forum. Better to ask the people that know you best.

But from a philosophical standpoint:

Do you need the money for your long term goals? - then stay, bite your lip, live like a hermit and save your coin.

or are you tempted to go back into a materialistic lifestyle? To buy the latest ipad, upgrade your car, show off? - then leave, because the more you are tempted to posses, the more your possessions will possess you.

Post: #3

How shitty is the city?

How much Cash are we talking?

Where are you thinking of moving?

Until we know those imputs, it is impossible to have an opinion.

Post: #4

(07-22-2012 09:59 PM)Mujeriego Wrote:  I'm curious to get some feedback:

I've been planning a move from the city I currently live in for months now. I moved in with a family member so I wouldn't have a lease, liquidated many of my belongings, and have a pending lease for an apartment in my new locale. Last week I was unexpectedly presented a job offer that is great but would require me to stay. I despise this city but the amount of coin involved is making me seriously reconsider moving.

When presented with a hypothetical like this, it is important to put it into concrete options. Instead of 'Do I live in this place I don't really like or do I move to somewhere else in the world' which is arbitrary, put down what you'd be doing and where. For instance:

1) City 1. Job offer already. Working 9-5, making $x k.
2) City 2. No job offer. Probably going to work full/part time. $x k.

And be realistic. I could easily say "I don't like where I live. I'm going to move to the beach and get a job where I make 200k per year and have sex with a new girl every night." The problem is, the likelihood would be that I'd get there, lose money before I got work, it might not be the work I'd like, I'd have to set up new contacts and then establish everything that I've already established in the new place, which might have taken me months or years the first time around.

On the other hand, when you say you don't want to live in your city, why? If it is lack of anything, what can you do to get those things without moving? If it is expense, can you live cheaper? At the end of the day, uprooting is a pretty massive undertaking if you can improve your life in the same spot.



Other than that, I'd echo the guys above. More details are needed because otherwise we don't really know what the trade off is.

Post: #5

Here's the details:

I currently reside in San Jose CA. Think of the CA version of DC. I don't know if it's as bad but the same factors are there. Here's a datasheet I wrote a while back if you want more info.

I've been planning on moving to LA. I've spent a lot of time there and like it. My plan there is/was to transfer schools and finish my degree while working part time. I have some passive income as well, so I'll get by but won't have much extra.

The offer itself is 9-5 making 80K. Not big bucks, but for someone in my position it's a lot. I would have to switch over to online/night classes but it's not a huge issue.

Post: #6

If you take the 9-5 at 80K you'll be demoralized.

It will shape the rest of your life. You'll become a geek who wears khakis and polos.

I would move to L.A.

You're young.

Make bold moves.

Post: #7

80K is not chump change. Especially right now.

The real issue is what you want in the future and whether LA serves you better than the job in getting there.

Post: #8

(07-23-2012 12:38 PM)Mujeriego Wrote:  The offer itself is 9-5 making 80K. Not big bucks, but for someone in my position it's a lot. I would have to switch over to online/night classes but it's not a huge issue.

I know this is cliche.

But 'Don't get a job because of what you can earn; get a job because of what you can learn.'

Is this job going to grow your skill set or allow you access into an exclusive network?

Money alone is never a good enough reason to go to work.

Post: #9

(07-23-2012 12:43 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  If you take the 9-5 at 80K you'll be demoralized.

It will shape the rest of your life. You'll become a geek who wears khakis and polos.

I would move to L.A.

You're young.

Make bold moves.

This is your answer.

Post: #10

You have to think of money in terms of leverage.

If you make $80K great but what happens in 2 years? You still going to make 80? Leverage and percentages are everything.

Say you are making 200K... Even that amount after 2 years you're done. Ex: save $100K net worth is now 100 but the next year if you don't move up worth only goes up by 50%... Then only by 33%... Then 25%

It is a bit bat shit crazy to just go and make it rain from the get go but you need some idea of what you are doing. If for example in my own position I don't get more leverage in 2-3 years I am leaving because I am just damaging my body at that point.

So ask yourself which one will give you the most LONG TERM leverage. Not short term.

Besides $80K in the valley is nothing. If this was some sort of upward mobility platform sure. Just remember all companies will "sell" you on mobility. Look around and see if it's true before you believe the garbage they are feeding you on the "sell day"

Post: #11

Don't be dazzled by 80k. I know specialized secretaries that make that much. Go to LA.

Post: #12

Whether or not 80K is a lot of money really depends on your financial situation and your prospects for future employment. For instance, if you're in debt, then there's something to be said for staying put and paying down your debt.

Also, what are your long term goals?

Post: #13

(07-23-2012 01:33 PM)WestCoast Wrote:  Besides $80K in the valley is nothing.

(07-23-2012 03:17 PM)Menace Wrote:  Don't be dazzled by 80k. I know specialized secretaries that make that much. Go to LA.

Yeah, 80k is just enough to buy khaki's, sip Starbucks and eat Chipotle.

Maybe got to the cinema and watch the 50th remake of Batman.

And maybe take a winter trip to Toronto every year.

And finish out the year with 10k in credit card debt.

It is just enough to be miserable.

Post: #14

Im kind of in a similar situation.
Just came home from 4,5 months Czech Republic. I had such a blast. Multiple girlfriends, making out with hot new chicks every week.

Now im back in bumfuck germany and absolutely pissed with the ugliness of the girls. I just wanna pack my shit and go.

Now i can either stay and hustle and leave in 18 months go to thailand. Id have some cash and could work on building up a small online income.

OR i leave ASAP, have almost no money and have to resort to online freelancing to make a living somehow. A big jump into the unknown.

I really dont know whats scarier, taking the leap or staying 18 months in a place i absolutely dont wanna be and be miserable.

Post: #15

Go where your interests are. You don't have to pick a specific job. Just pick a direction that you want to go.
The money will come with time and experience. Ask yourself if this job is on the path of where you want to go.

Post: #16

When I was in grad school my stipend was decent but less than 20k. I was happy. I make much much more now, but I am not proportionately happier.

Your 80k euphoria will last 3 months then you will be hating life again. Go where the lifestyle is. If you have the skills, you will be fine. Can I assume this is a tech job? Go to LA.

Post: #17

I feel like asking a fun question @ g manifesto.

What's making good cash to you?

I have a number that hovers in the $300k that I think is when u can say you're doing well. Guessing yours is in the 7 digits?

(07-23-2012 03:32 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(07-23-2012 01:33 PM)WestCoast Wrote:  Besides $80K in the valley is nothing.

(07-23-2012 03:17 PM)Menace Wrote:  Don't be dazzled by 80k. I know specialized secretaries that make that much. Go to LA.

Yeah, 80k is just enough to buy khaki's, sip Starbucks and eat Chipotle.

Maybe got to the cinema and watch the 50th remake of Batman.

And maybe take a winter trip to Toronto every year.

And finish out the year with 10k in credit card debt.

It is just enough to be miserable.

Post: #18

(07-23-2012 12:43 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  If you take the 9-5 at 80K you'll be demoralized.

It will shape the rest of your life. You'll become a geek who wears khakis and polos.

I would move to L.A.

You're young.

Make bold moves.

I agree with Mike.

If you think $80k is not "big bucks" then it's not worth it.

Switching over to night classes/online is a big deal if you're working a cubicle 9-5 because you've guaranteed yourself no life. You'll be miserable.

Earning money early is rewarding on many levels, but it's not worth pissing away the one life you have. You can always buy luxuries and pussy later in life but you can't buy your youth.

Use this time to do what's right for you, and most of all, follow your gut.

But don't go to LA just to fuck-off. Always be moving forward.

Post: #19

(07-23-2012 05:02 PM)WestCoast Wrote:  I feel like asking a fun question @ g manifesto.

What's making good cash to you?

I have a number that hovers in the $300k that I think is when u can say you're doing well. Guessing yours is in the 7 digits?

Obviously, the other factors are how much time you spend, how hard you are working, and where you are living.

For instance, 300k, in a miserable job, or a dangerous job, sucks.

Actually, any amount of money (within reason) in a miserable job sucks.

150k in a cake walk job with a lot of freedom is great.

So it is really hard to just come up with a "number".

But back to the original poster, he said 80k, in California, in a city he is miserable in. I am guessing that he doesn't like the job that much either from his post.

That is a weesh situation.

Post: #20

I would take the 80k job and this is why...
You probably have a stable place to live that's cheap. You can save some money.
You will get some working experience that will help you land a better gig in LA
You will have more time to find a better job in LA and more cash to get a better pad.

I say do 6 mos and out start interviewing in LA as soon as possible. Maybe start by getting a girl there and doing weekends then transition.

Post: #21

(07-23-2012 05:42 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Actually, any amount of money (within reason) in a miserable job sucks.

Exactly.
I recently walked away from $150k and people in my life think I'm crazy. But they're all $50k'ers and don't understand what's involved with making $150k in corporate America. $50k jobs in corporate America allow you to fuck off at the office and take long lunches. Happy hours, fucking around in the copy room with interns, etc. For those who bang out the $150-250k salaries for corporate America, they make you earn every penny. Shit runs up and down hill and guess where it stops? There is no such thing as job security at this level in the corporate chain. And $150k surely ain't worth working your life away and missing out on all the pussy during your prime years.
I'd rather make $90k and have my evenings and weekends to fuck women and take trips.

Post: #22

Yeah fair enough this reminds me of of one ofthe best quotes I got when I used to grind for no reason

"are you smart or hard working? You can't e both"

Post: #23

Is this job strategic for your career? Does it have strong potential to turn into something incredibly good, like a location independent salary? That would make the offer more compelling.

Otherwise, I'd lean towards making the move to LA.

I've been in a similar situation once. It was an attractive offer, and I thought long and hard about it. But I already had money saved up and places I wanted to be, so decided I wanted to travel. In the end it didn't matter so much, since I managed to stumble into an even better job the following year.

Tell this employer you're past the point of no return and you have to make the move now. But also tell them you like the job and the company and they'll be your first port of call just as soon as you're back in the city.

Post: #24

(07-23-2012 05:56 PM)Smitty Wrote:  

(07-23-2012 05:42 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Actually, any amount of money (within reason) in a miserable job sucks.

Exactly.
I recently walked away from $150k and people in my life think I'm crazy. But they're all $50k'ers and don't understand what's involved with making $150k in corporate America. $50k jobs in corporate America allow you to fuck off at the office and take long lunches. Happy hours, fucking around in the copy room with interns, etc. For those who bang out the $150-250k salaries for corporate America, they make you earn every penny. Shit runs up and down hill and guess where it stops? There is no such thing as job security at this level in the corporate chain. And $150k surely ain't worth working your life away and missing out on all the pussy during your prime years.
I'd rather make $90k and have my evenings and weekends to fuck women and take trips.

Yeah, that is not crazy at all.

My biz partner and I were talking about what it would take to work in a miserable corporate office.

We both agreed it would have to be minimum north of 700k, closer to 7 figs plus.

That way you could just write off a year or two of hell, and have a decent bankroll.

Quote:For those who bang out the $150-250k salaries for corporate America, they make you earn every penny.

The guys I know that make that much and north in a corporate environment hate their jobs, and lives.

Many of them won't admit it, and do it for their families, but I can tell deep down how they feel.

Post: #25

I will be the rare exception. I work maybe 50 hours a week now (prior 80).

Difference is my boss relies on me heavily. If I want to leave early on Friday I don't even ask.

Issue is, I don't sell myself a bullshit dream. I live in a nice place and know if I don't move up in a few years to the next pay scale I should leave. Also the job allows significant exits if you're smart. Anyone who knows what wall street is about knows you got fucked and will push you to the front of the line for practically every job. You can search finance forums some have credentials like "1-3 years wall street or 5-7 years 'other'".

Downside of course is free time, this is where staying healthy is key, eat well exercise and you can still go party 3-4 nights a week.

Of course I would choose $100K and little work but I sure wouldn't take $50K and little work over where the opportunities are now.

(07-24-2012 11:58 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(07-23-2012 05:56 PM)Smitty Wrote:  

(07-23-2012 05:42 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Actually, any amount of money (within reason) in a miserable job sucks.

Exactly.
I recently walked away from $150k and people in my life think I'm crazy. But they're all $50k'ers and don't understand what's involved with making $150k in corporate America. $50k jobs in corporate America allow you to fuck off at the office and take long lunches. Happy hours, fucking around in the copy room with interns, etc. For those who bang out the $150-250k salaries for corporate America, they make you earn every penny. Shit runs up and down hill and guess where it stops? There is no such thing as job security at this level in the corporate chain. And $150k surely ain't worth working your life away and missing out on all the pussy during your prime years.
I'd rather make $90k and have my evenings and weekends to fuck women and take trips.

Yeah, that is not crazy at all.

My biz partner and I were talking about what it would take to work in a miserable corporate office.

We both agreed it would have to be minimum north of 700k, closer to 7 figs plus.

That way you could just write off a year or two of hell, and have a decent bankroll.

Quote:For those who bang out the $150-250k salaries for corporate America, they make you earn every penny.

The guys I know that make that much and north in a corporate environment hate their jobs, and lives.

Many of them won't admit it, and do it for their families, but I can tell deep down how they feel.