On what conditions will you relocate?

[Wild_Grass]

Hi,

This is puzzling me and I'd like to hear what you think. I am trying to be discreet and not release any details. I hope that's alright.

I have been working at my current company for six months. This is my second job out of college. I am loving it. The people are great, and the salary is comfortable. Most important of all, the hours are very flexible.

About a week ago, I was introduced to the president of a bigger and more prestigious firm in the industry. We spoke on the phone later, and he told me he was looking for someone with my specific skills. It sounded to me that the position is very exciting and critical. But the company is couple hundreds miles away, and I have roots in my current place of residence. I expressed this hesitation on the phone. But he still wanted to fly me in for a face-to-fact interview.

At this point, I guess I will go to the on-site interview. I am not sure how I should react if I were to receive an actual offer. I suppose if there is a significant pay hike (which is very possible), I would definitely consider moving. But how much a pay hike is considered to be "significant"? 10%, 20%?

What do you guys think? On what conditions will you relocate to an unknown place?

[and1grad]

My condition was simply being employed. The only way I would leave my job now would be a pay hike and a more interesting place...in addition to what I have at my current job. Make sure you arent giving up a job doing something you like, with people you like, in order to get more money doing the opposite.

[wordsmith]

I actually took a (slight) pay cut when I first came to my current job. But since I was moving someplace a lot cheaper, and knew I'd be promoted relatively quickly, it evened out.

I also wasn't relocating to an unknown place, it was the same place I grew up. But the job was an unknown. I took it because it was an opportunity to try my hand at something new, something I'd always wanted to try.

There are lots of things that could induce me to take a new job someplace new and unknown.

[SunDevil]

Look at the cost of living to see how much of a pay hike you would expect. And how attached are you to your current place? If you have a lot of friends at the current location, I would be more hesitant to move. Can you tell us what cities these jobs are in?

For me, the fact that I would have a job and be making money was all it took. I didn't care where it was in the United States. Now that I have had this job, the next one will be very easy for me to get. So I will be able to pick where I want to work.

[Wild_Grass]

I currently live at Philadelphia. The prespective position will be at Cincinnati. I believe the cost of living is a little bit lower at Cincinnati. But do I want to move to a red state? (Of course, this is not really a consideration factor.)

[SunDevil]

There are good things and there are bad things about Ohio. The weather is about the same as Philly, but the traffic is better. (The roads still go in every direction with no city planning) Housing and food are probably cheaper. You will be able to get a house faster in Ohio because the prices have stayed fairly low. The further south you go in Ohio, the redder it becomes. I've always lived in moderate places with a pretty equal balance of liberal/conservatives.

Is it closer to your family, or doesn't it matter? And will the new job be better for your career?

It is at least a 10 hour drive to the beach (Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico). (Lake Erie doesn't count)

[The Fly]

Are you happy in Philly? Is there any reason other than this job that you might want to leave?

If you're happy and living comfortably in Philly, I'd say don't move. Cincinatti may mean a higher salary and lower cost of living, but money isn't everything. Can you put a price on everything you love about living in Philadelphia? That's up to you.