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I am in my 22nd year in the same private practice, and over the last two years, I have recrafted my professional role to my liking. It's not the ideal job, but it's just fine (and getting better when I go part time in January). My wife has a solid job, with some golden handcuffs, including the retiree health plan, which will qualify both of us when she hits 55 in less than two years. On a personal note, my daughter is a Sophomore in high school, and my son is four hours away in college. Things are on track for us all to be able to cut ties here when my daughter finishes high school, if we want, or stay if we choose.
Now the dilemma. There has been a job opening in a part of the country 1000 miles away that is extremely desirable to me. The job is a tough fit and has been offered publicly for six months or more. It requires an unusual skill set (which I have) and the professional maturity to work alone in a department (which I would like to think I have), both of which tend to eliminate those coming out of training. It is also in a very HCOL area, one in which I would enjoy, and could see living 30 mins away from the madness, far enough to buy a reasonable house for a reasonable sum (or rent for a while, if need be).
If I were typing this in 2020, this would be my dream situation. My wife retires, my daughter graduates, and I take a job with a great group (I have a lot of friends in the group) in an ideal setting. I work another 5-10 years and live in one of our favorite parts of the country. My wife would enjoy the move, we would have frequent guests, make lots of new friends, rekindle some old friendships, etc. It would be a virtual no-brainer.
Unfortunately, it is late 2017, and we have the daughter doing well in high school (involved in activities, circle of nice friends), the wife with the golden handcuffs, etc. I have thought of inquiring with my friends if there was a job-share possibility, as perhaps there is another candidate (or someone internally) who would like to have half of the job, but even that would be a significant disruption to the home life for my wife and daughter. I am hesitant to inquire, though, if I am not ready to pull the trigger.
My heart says "go", and my brain says "no". So, is there an angle to this I am missing? Does anyone think we should try to take the job now and move everyone to the new locale (where, BTW, it is unlikely my wife will find similar employment and would likely retire)? Try to job share and commute for a couple years? Forget about it, stop looking at job ads, and focus on my current situation for the next two years?
Now the dilemma. There has been a job opening in a part of the country 1000 miles away that is extremely desirable to me. The job is a tough fit and has been offered publicly for six months or more. It requires an unusual skill set (which I have) and the professional maturity to work alone in a department (which I would like to think I have), both of which tend to eliminate those coming out of training. It is also in a very HCOL area, one in which I would enjoy, and could see living 30 mins away from the madness, far enough to buy a reasonable house for a reasonable sum (or rent for a while, if need be).
If I were typing this in 2020, this would be my dream situation. My wife retires, my daughter graduates, and I take a job with a great group (I have a lot of friends in the group) in an ideal setting. I work another 5-10 years and live in one of our favorite parts of the country. My wife would enjoy the move, we would have frequent guests, make lots of new friends, rekindle some old friendships, etc. It would be a virtual no-brainer.
Unfortunately, it is late 2017, and we have the daughter doing well in high school (involved in activities, circle of nice friends), the wife with the golden handcuffs, etc. I have thought of inquiring with my friends if there was a job-share possibility, as perhaps there is another candidate (or someone internally) who would like to have half of the job, but even that would be a significant disruption to the home life for my wife and daughter. I am hesitant to inquire, though, if I am not ready to pull the trigger.
My heart says "go", and my brain says "no". So, is there an angle to this I am missing? Does anyone think we should try to take the job now and move everyone to the new locale (where, BTW, it is unlikely my wife will find similar employment and would likely retire)? Try to job share and commute for a couple years? Forget about it, stop looking at job ads, and focus on my current situation for the next two years?
). If you would all be miserable during that time, it's just not worth it. If you can work out a fair compromise and make it work, I see a possibility. Of course, this is also assuming that the job is in Mrs. Vagabond's dream retirement location, also.
If it opens up in late 2019, I will be ready for it.
If it opens up in late 2019, I will be ready for it.
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