Should I move so I can get a raise?

[Hylian]

Thanks for all the advice


For right now (unless something changes over the next two months) I have decided to stay for the time being. My coworker who was talking about possibly moving is now definitely moving sometime around June/July and it looks like I will be able to take his position. Granted I will still be at a smaller site but since I won't have to move and my sister wouldn't be forced to take her kids and find a new place. Plus the pay should be the same as the other position so that would be a bonus. I still may move sometime in the future but for now I figure it would be nice to stay put and save up some cash and what not.

---------------------------------

I have been working with the same company for over 3 years now and have been wanting to move to a new position but so far none have been opening up. Well today my boss told me that it looked like a position would be opening up but in Hillsboro, OR. The job would pay around $13.60 (which is about a 4 dollar raise) with full benefits. But I would have to leave Washington and my family behind but it would be a new position in an area that may offer more opportunities down the road.


Now a few things that make a me a bit hesitant is that I am currently renting a place with my sister and her two kids. If I was to move she wouldn't be able to afford the rent on her own and so she would have to find a new place. Also I would only have a few months to save up money for the move. Also my current car is not working so I would have to get one somehow or find a way to repair my current one.


Another issue is that while it would be with the same company it would be with new coworkers who don't know me and whom I may not get along with. In my current job I get along great with all of my coworkers. Also one of my coworkers has been talking about moving and if he did a position may open up here. But than again he may not move or even if he did they may decide to can his position so that wouldn't be a for sure thing either.


On the positive side I would be near my brother who moved to Oregon a few months back and it would be a raise with a new position. Not to mention the possibility for growth in the company. But is it really worth all the hassle and struggle or would it be better to wait and see if things change here? Also if anyone here lives down in that area, how hard would it be to live off of the salary I mentioned above?

 

[Chibibar]

Short answer: Single? Sure!

Long answer: You don't want to put your sister in such a situation. Help her to find a new place if possible before the move. Doesn't the company offer moving expense? (many do if they want you) so that might help some. Is your brother near the new work place? you can use his place while you find your own. I can't help you with the car situation

I can tell you that if I was single, I would take the opportunity, but now I'm all settled (house payment, stable job and such) I wouldn't move.

 

[Hylian]

Yes I am single (insert forever alone joke here) and sadly no the company does not offer moving expenses . My brother is about 45 - 60 minute drive from where the new job would be but sadly I do not think his wife would want me to stay there with them.

 

[MindDetective]

If it was a salaried position, I would say go for it for sure. Being an hourly wage position makes it more difficult. However, a $4/hour wage increase is a pretty big jump, so financially it could be worth it, especially if it opens doors to advancement in the company. The big question is whether or not the wage increase gets swallowed up by having to ay higher rent yourself. If it does, then all you are left with is a chance for future advancement vs. a sister having to find a smaller place for her family. Is that worth the trade-off?

Note, I'm largely discounting some things like moving away from family or co-workers that you get along with. You will have family close by (though not as close as down the hall!) and you will find new friends/co-workers to get along with if you want to.

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

You sound like you are pretty happy where you are except for the fact that you don't have much opportunity for advancement in your company. If you were saying that you aren't happy living with your sister or that you felt you needed to break out of a huge rut, then I would definitely say a move could be something to look into. More money would be great, but will it make you happier if you have to start over in a new city?

 

[Hylian]

Well right now things are pretty good but for reasons I don't want to go into right now I foresee having to at the very least find a new place in a year or so. Now moving to another state wouldn't solve the underlying issues I see coming but it would at least prolong the peace (hopefully) I keep thinking that if I wait awhile longer a new position may open up here. But than again it could just as easily never open and than I would have to wait for another position to open up elsewhere.

 

[Rovewin]

Im not sure what kind of lifestyle you currently have but you should be able to live just fine on that. Hillsboro is nice. You can find plenty to do in the area and you are not too far from downtown Portland. You can find plenty of people to hang out with in the area.

Now I think if you are allright with only visiting your friends and family up in Washington on your trips back home then you should make the move. If not, well I think life is about being around people and building relationships and they can be worth more than a better job.

Oh just to add into your cost calculations remember that Oregon has a state income tax while Washington does not but you also don't have to pay sales tax in Oregon

 

[phil]

If you have to find a new place anyway, and it'll be a pay increase with a better chance for further opportunities within the company I'd say go for it.

Your sister will get by, especially if you give her plenty of heads up.

As for how you'll move, well you may end up having to sell off some things you're not really needing, and possibly a few more things you may be hesitant to give up. It can be a cleansing experience though. Maybe look into selling your car, things you're not exactly going to miss until you're able to just rent a truck and get it done.

 

[Hylian]

Thanks for all the advice


For right now (unless something changes over the next two months) I have decided to stay for the time being. My coworker who was talking about possibly moving is now definitely moving sometime around June/July and it looks like I will be able to take his position. Granted I will still be at a smaller site but since I won't have to move and my sister wouldn't be forced to take her kids and find a new place. Plus the pay should be the same as the other position so that would be a bonus. I still may move sometime in the future but for now I figure it would be nice to stay put and save up some cash and what not.