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Ask HN: Is it worth it to move to SV in 40's with family?

1 points by daxfohl ↗ HN
Synopsis: I'm in a job (/city) where I've hit the ceiling in terms of software dev, and expect to get raises on par with inflation for the rest of my career. However I have a nice house that's paid off, reasonable savings, and other than job stagnation things are going fine. (Well other than the constant worry that I'll be replaced with someone cheaper at some point).

The opportunity has arisen to take a job from a big SW company out west. It'd be an immediate 50% pay bump, plus potential bonus on top of that, pushing to over 100% bump. And of course there's no glass ceiling there, so future earning potential is even higher.

However housing is so expensive out there that I'd have to either buy a much smaller house, or drain my savings and go into debt and work until I'm in my 70's to pay it off. It doesn't feel too far-fetched to say that it seems like my kids' inheritance will be the only beneficiary. (Yes I love them, but I want my own cut as well! :))

So while it's a huge move forward in terms of "career", it feels like almost a step backward in terms of "life". Has anyone else here been in the same situation? What decision did you make, and how did it work out?

3 comments

[ 2.2 ms ] story [ 23.4 ms ] thread
josh_carterPDX
However housing is so expensive out there that I'd have to either buy a much smaller house, or drain my savings and go into debt and work until I'm in my 70's to pay it off.

^^^ you've answered this yourself.

dylanhassinger
if u have the capital to buy a house, you could always sell it in 5 years and make a profit. Just consider the smaller house a temporary adventure (as long as your family is game for an adventure). Going into debt or renting at SF rates seems like a bad plan
NonEUCitizen
You would not have been able to sell your house for a profit 5 years later had you bought in 2006/7, and companies were laying off people 2-3 years after you bought your house.