What's your "make me move" price?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Ua_guy what's holding you back? And what's moving forward? Money? Will your partner regret not taking the "Risk"? You know sometimes peoples think about the opportunity like that person that got away? Sometimes a job isn't about money.

Personally money isn't everything and it's better to have it than not. But I can see avil's point about not having enough. But I don't think you are finance driven. But perhaps it's the potential of the job? The sense of accomplishment? Or suceeding at a risky prospect? The financial incentives are great but the rewards are intangible?

[avil_saver36]

To clarify, I don't think Silicon Valley is a dump. Northern California is absolutely beautiful. But the cost of living there is exceptionally high, SV being a crucible for housing prices. For the same spend, we're looking at a much lower quality of living than what we enjoy today, and having to rent. But on the weather front, it's warmer than where we are today It's all subjective.

You make a good point, and yes, I do see both sides of it. Nothing is guaranteed. By turning down the offer, I do wonder if this will be a decision that will come back to haunt us. Likewise, if we took the offer, I'd be nervous about planning the "thereafter" and how to manage a lifestyle of being financially independent, even if minimally so--or maybe not! We could be looking at having to move, and starting all over again.

In your case, you are in a very good position that most of the people (including myself) can only envy The very fact that your significant other can even get an offer speaks very loud about the kind of prospects you can muster.

I guess my larger point is that retirement in your 30s/40s is not without the downside risk of having missed some big time opportunities. The anecdotal example of this person in my family serves as a reminder of this very fact. I view the a person's years between 35-50 as prime years in terms of what he/she can achieve, and the potential is nearly limitless in the technologically driven economy of the 21st century. For that reason, I would not personally consider a retirement (or even any kind of versions of retirement like semi/soft etc) before I am 50.

Just give it a thought and think deeper about this issue. Retiring at 40 means you will spend nearly 40+ additional years on your current savings and having missed a window between 40-50 when a person is at a peak earnings. There is no way we can project what the next 40 years have in store for us - so retiring early will always leave anyone (except the ultra rich) with the possibility of running out of money. I mean you won't starve, but you might be forced to watch your peers ascend in stature while you would have to make do with the limited choices and a simple life. Not everyone is fine with it.

People also change. There are several fundamental aspects of life on which I have changed drastically. Time can change someone's expectations/perceptions. It can change a person.

Anyway, apologies again for posting once more despite not wanting to do so. I will watch this thread and look for an update a few weeks/months from now on what transpired here.

Edit: Living in SV, you should not buy a house at all. You mentioned that your income goes up by $120K. You can rent a decent place there at an additional $30K per year and still come out ahead in terms of finances. I would in fact try to simplify my life and cut back and just pocket all the additional money. And of course, there is a potential of payout. Within 2-3 years, it becomes clear if you get it or not. The worst case you don't get it, so what? Continue working for a few years, and you are still pocketing an upwards of $40-50K additional cash from the increased salaries. I am also sure this job opens up several new prospects and maybe one of those leads you directly back home. That's what I would envision from the situation above.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I don't think that moving for money is the reason to do it. BUT is the reason for worrying the money or something else?