Moving for Your Career

I hate moving. I hate buying houses. I hate selling houses. I like the idea of home and prefer that to be an unmovable, unchanging place. However, most people find in their lifetimes that to grow in a career means you have to move to different points of the country.

I always knew it'd be difficult, but just never how difficult. My wife's sister will be needing to move from Florida to California for a new job. Problem is, that even though there is a pay increase, it doesn't quite match the huge real estate difference. Her house is on the market for $220,000. However, a similar size house in Southern California, where the job is, lists for close to $700,000.

Yikes.

She's having to take a huge step down in accommodations for this tiny step up in career. Not to mention, with the housing crisis hitting Florida and California hardest, she's not having the easiest time selling her house.

She's doing it because she says the headroom at the new company is far greater than it is here. In two years time she will be much better off there than here. I hope she's right.

Point is, there's more to consider than just the job when making a move. Be sure you consider everything there is before making the move.