Question-What would you do? (Chicago: neighborhood, calculator, salary)

[Leanne4321]

Here's the situation. I'm currently in NYC; however, my employer has offered me an amazing opportunity to relocate to their chicago office to accept a promotion. My salary will be 90K. I'm in my mid twenties, and for the most part, I've only resided on the East Coast, therefore, all of my friends and family are in this region.

I'm quite adventurous and I want to take advantage of the opportunity, but I also want to ensure that I have the support of my family. I spoke with my mother; unfortunately she's dead set against me moving. She doesn't like the idea of me being so far away.

What would you do? Would you throw caution to the wind, or would you decline the promotion and play it safe?

[Jandur]

90k in Chicago will go a long ways.

Move and send your mom flowers once a month.

[MassVt]

Your mother shouldn't be dictating your life, regardless of her intentions. If you truly want to go, then go.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by MassVt

Your mother shouldn't be dictating your life, regardless of her intentions. If you truly want to go, then go.

This.

I'm all for respecting one's parents, but once you're an adult you have to live your own life. Your mother will grow to accept your choice. And, if she doesn't, then your only other choice would have been to live a life of servile regret. Given the choice, I'd rather live my own life.

Disclaimer: I grew up on the West Coast, where my parents still live, and I've haven't lived within 1,500 miles of them in near 20 years.

[Slipperman]

90k in your mid-twenties? what company do you work for? i think i'm missing something.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Leanne4321

Here's the situation. I'm currently in NYC; however, my employer has offered me an amazing opportunity to relocate to their chicago office to accept a promotion. My salary will be 90K. I'm in my mid twenties, and for the most part, I've only resided on the East Coast, therefore, all of my friends and family are in this region.

I'm quite adventurous and I want to take advantage of the opportunity, but I also want to ensure that I have the support of my family. I spoke with my mother; unfortunately she's dead set against me moving. She doesn't like the idea of me being so far away.

What would you do? Would you throw caution to the wind, or would you decline the promotion and play it safe?

I would move honestly. 90K in your mid 20s in Chicago? Yes please. You could live in any neighborhood you want...Chicago is a little like NYC, but less expensive and a little smaller.

My Uncle is from Queens and visited me for the first time a few years ago here and said he'd move here in a heartbeat if it was warmer in the winter (he lives in LA now). I wanted to move to NYC (as you can tell, I have a lot of family there), but I got the job here and don't even want to move to NYC anymore. It's pretty good here. Not everything is, but it's a nice place here.


As far as your mom goes..you're an adult. Also, it's pretty easy to visit NYC. There's actually a cheap "shuttle" between here and NYC and the flight is not that long. I have a coworker whose boyfriend lives in NYC and visits for cheap at least one weekend per month.

[DoneWithDallas]

Go, honey. Life is too short to let others influence you. I LOVE my parents, they're my very best friends but how often do these opportunities come along everyday. Chicago is a fabulous city and I have no doubt you will love it. You sound a little like myself, listen to your intuition and instinct. It never lies.

[emathias]

$90k/year will enable a good life, especially as a young single person. I earned the equivalent to that in my mid-20s and it was a fun time. You can afford to live in any neighborhood on that. You can't afford to live in any style of housing in every neighborhood on that, but you can afford at least a 1-bedroom in any neighborhood (and probably a 2-bedroom in most) with that and still have plenty left over for going out (or for doing the responsible thing and saving it).

Originally Posted by Slipperman

90k in your mid-twenties? what company do you work for? i think i'm missing something.

Tech or consulting or trading would all pay that much to a sizable portion of 20-somethings working in those fields in Chicago. And smart, ambitious people can get to that in their mid-20s in a lot of other industries, too. Some industries you'd have to be working so much you wouldn't have time to spend it, though.

Originally Posted by Jandur

90k in Chicago will go a long ways.
...

Yep. Not quite rich, but certainly not pauper's wages here.

Originally Posted by marothisu

I would move honestly. 90K in your mid 20s in Chicago? Yes please.
...

According to the BLS inflation calculator that's the equivalent of $65k/year back in 1999.

[ERS-One]

With that type of salary, you could afford to fly out and make some nice surprise visits several times a year.

[Leanne4321]

I should add that my mom has a chronic medical condition. She's a bit worried that if she gets sick, I won't be available to take care of her.

I feel so selfish, but I'm leaning towards accepting the promotion. FYI, I work in business consulting at a top global firm.