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I am in a little bit of a bind, I have a job offer for a position in Charlotte. I am expecting a job offer for a position in California (San Jose area). The position in California will be a higher level of responsibility, in a prestigious company that would look very good on my resume. I think both have excellent opportunities for growth. The salaries are comparable for both areas, I would be making about 125% more in California than I would in Charlotte, but I am sure I will be spending it all to live there. I have visited Charlotte, I absolutely loved the area. I thought it was beautiful and a great place to raise my son. I have no family or friends in Charlotte, but I do have family in Atlanta (3 hours away). I have not been to this particular area of California. However, I know the person that I would be reporting to very well. I have family in Los Angeles and San Diego.
I don't know what to do. I have to make a decision because I can't leave the position in Charlotte hanging forever. I think that I would be happy in either place. Oh... if it helps any, I currently live in Ohio and most of my family is here. I don't have to worry about parents, both are deceased. My only sibling lives in California, he is my half brother, we are not that close.
What would you do?
Last edited by maaci; 07-12-2008 at 06:21 AM..
Reason: added information
I guess for me a lot would depend on both salaries and cost of living in both areas. If the salary is about equal say it is going to cost you 1000 dollars a month rent in one place for say a 2 BR and 2000 for a one room place I would go with the cheapest ocst of living.
Also, which place do you like best? Lots of variants there. Have you been to both places? Which do you feel best iin.
Good luck, these are difficult decisions.
Not only is the cost of living different in both places, the CULTURE is different, very different in both places. In the end, a job is only secondary for your overall contentment in life. I've lived in California and now live in the Charlotte area. You would continuously have to keep a job like you have now to live comfortably in the Bay Area. If you lost that job, would you be able to find one right away? Not that I'm saying that the job market in Charlotte is all that steady as well, but if you manage your finances right in either place, chances are you'll manage a little longer on less down here. People are generally friendly and very welcoming to newcomers. I suggest you visit the Charlotte and the Bay Area forums to get a long distance view of either place. We don't have family here either (most of them are still in Northern and Southern CA), but we've made friends that can sometimes be more available than family could ever have.
San Jose: There are some very nice and very medium areas in San Jose. $400,000 will buy you a tiny (950 sf), plain, apartment-like condo...expect to pay over $1,000,000 for a small house in a nice area.
Personally, I'd choose Charlotte, but you need to make the decision yourself. I think I'd do some research on schools, size of classrooms, cost of living, crime, air quality, etc....to determine the best environment for my child - that is how I would make my choice. Good luck on your decision and move.
I am in a little bit of a bind, I have a job offer for a position in Charlotte. I am expecting a job offer for a position in California (San Jose area). The position in California will be a higher level of responsibility, in a prestigious company that would look very good on my resume. I think both have excellent opportunities for growth. The salaries are comparable for both areas, I would be making about 125% more in California than I would in Charlotte, but I am sure I will be spending it all to live there. I have visited Charlotte, I absolutely loved the area. I thought it was beautiful and a great place to raise my son. I have no family or friends in Charlotte, but I do have family in Atlanta (3 hours away). I have not been to this particular area of California. However, I know the person that I would be reporting to very well. I have family in Los Angeles and San Diego.
I don't know what to do. I have to make a decision because I can't leave the position in Charlotte hanging forever. I think that I would be happy in either place. Oh... if it helps any, I currently live in Ohio and most of my family is here. I don't have to worry about parents, both are deceased. My only sibling lives in California, he is my half brother, we are not that close.
What would you do?
Since you have a good feeling about Charlotte already, I'd think that you would want to choose that job offer.
As someone else has already stated, the financial cushion needed to survive the cost of living in Charlotte, NC is significantly less than in San Jose, CA. As a working mother, this is a very important detail.
Another thing to note is that Charlotte is not very far from either Ohio or Atlanta, GA.
San Jose: There are some very nice and very medium areas in San Jose. $400,000 will buy you a tiny (950 sf), plain, apartment-like condo...expect to pay over $1,000,000 for a small house in a nice area.
Personally, I'd choose Charlotte, but you need to make the decision yourself. I think I'd do some research on schools, size of classrooms, cost of living, crime, air quality, etc....to determine the best environment for my child - that is how I would make my choice. Good luck on your decision and move.
This is very sensible advice. FWIW, $400,000 in Charlotte will buy you a brand new 3700 sq foot house in the best neighborhoods. Please let us know what you eventually decide on.
This is very sensible advice. FWIW, $400,000 in Charlotte will buy you a brand new 3700 sq foot house in the best neighborhoods. Please let us know what you eventually decide on.
I thank everyone for their opininon. I do believe that Charlotte would be a better choice for my child, the selfish side of me believes that California would be better for my career. It's a nice area in Cali (as far as I have read), so I think he would be okay there as well. I will make my decision soon and I will keep you posted. Thanks
I would go with North Carolina as well. NC has some excellent school systems and your not to far from the mountains either! North Carolina in my eyes looks a whole lot cheaper than California. As others have said Illegal Immagration is huge in California.
and illegal immigration affects your daily life how?
why not just say "theres alot of hispanics there" which is what you intended on saying anyways
freakin racist hicks THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON IMMIGRANTS
i sure as hell dont wake up in the morning before work and say "wow its gonna be a tough day to get through with all these illegal immigrants here"
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