Job offer, not sure if it's "worth" it?

[cry_havoc]

Originally Posted by backstreetsbackALLRIGHT

Hello!

I received a job offer this week for a job in Arlington (Clarendon metro stop). I've been to the DC/NOVA area a LOT and I absolutely love it there -- so much more to do than in my Minneapolis hometown. Plus, I've grown tired of the brutal winters. I can't take it anymore. I am quite familiar with the downsides of this area though (bad traffic, sky-high cost of housing and humid summers (but I like hot & humid).

Anyway, after only applying to a handful of jobs in the area, I did get an offer as an out-of-state candidate. My skillset happened to be exactly what they're looking for and I have experience working with a particular client.

They offered me $82k, which I'm less-than-thrilled about. I currently only make $60k, but that's a decent wage in Minneapolis. Looking at various COL calculators, $82k is like taking a paycut if I move here. (Their range for this position is $80k-$110k, so I am not thrilled with being placed at the low end of the scale! I know they did this because I "only" make $60k here in MN (yes, I had to tell them my current salary). In order for this to be worth it to me, I am going to need to be near the top of their range -- I told them that, and they're discussing it internally).

A couple things: So, I have a home in Minneapolis that I am planning on renting out. Until I get renters though, I will need to pay my mortgage, association fee, etc PLUS my housing expenses in NOVA. The rental market is booming in mpls, so I don't think I'll have trouble (that, and I can pull in a decent amount of money on my home, as my mortage is dirt cheap) I have a LOT of student loan debt too. That said, I live comfortably in Minneapolis. But I hate Minneapolis!

I am looking at renting for under $1300 but I just don't know. I mean, I HAVE a home here in Mpls. My mortage is far, far less than that. It feels like $1300/month rent is like tossing money out the window. Plus, renting for under $1300 means I have to look in farflung suburbs. I did find a nice place in Dulles for $1200 for a 1br -- what kind of commute is that to Clarendon? I found a bus/metro combo that looks like it'd be about 35-40min one way...does that make sense?

I'd rather live in Arlington, but I don't know if I can afford it. I can't find anything under $1500. I just don't want to pay that much. Also, I have lived alone my entire adult life (yes, this includes college) - a roommate would be a big adjustment, especially in small living quarters like an apartment. I'd entertain the idea though -- I mean, it might be fun. But all I see on Craigslist are people who want other renters to be in their '20s. WTF?

I'd LOVE to move here because I like the area, have some friends out here, but $82K? If they were offering me $100k, I think it would make sense...right? Ugh, I just don't know and they want an answer FAST.

For the record, I'm 33, female, and have a BF.

You would probably be making more. 22k more in NOVA is greater than the price difference. Good luck finding a place for less than $1300 though unless you dont mind a LONG commute.

[jillybean720]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

If you don't mind my asking, you must be either a lawyer, lobbyist, investment banker, actuary, or an employee of a consulting company. Am I right?

I wonder if it's too late to change my liberal-arts major...

None of the above. My college degree was pretty generic: Business Administration.

Those I find in similar age range and income level do include lawyers, but also various positions within Government contracting, especially business development side (BDers, capture managers, contracts managers, proposal managers, etc.).

But I am also willing to accept that I'm just so fabulous that you're welcome to consider me/my circumstances to be exceptional