Might Be Moving... Should I?

[Gollum]

Well, got in to work today and my boss calls me into his office to tell me he's moving back to reno, where the rest of his family lives.

 

He then offered me to continue working for him up there, and it would include a pay raise (not sure how much, I currently make a BASELINE $12 which is standard for the company) and compensation for moving costs.

 

If I don't go up with him, they can most likely find me another job here at the company, but because it will be branch instead of corperate it'd be hard to make a career out of it. Currently I'm corperate, just not located there. This move to reno would make me 100% officially part of corperate and means my work would not go unseen, and thus my efforts in marketing would be noticed and more likely I'd be compensated for those efforts.

 

For those that don't know I now work for a company called Jesen Precast and my boss is the owners son and he's head of marketing. We're currently trying to implement a mass marketing effort so we're not so reliant on our salespeople to do all of our marketing for us.

 

 

So far this is my list of pros/cons

 

 

Pros:

Lower Income Tax

Lower Housing Costs

Cheaper Living costs (gas, electric, etc)

NO SMOG TESTING!!!!!! (if I find a place outside of the washoe county, which isn't hard I think)

 

 

Cons:

Farther away from my family

Would have to leave my current church

Seems like the boondocks compared to where I've lived all my life

Have to start up all new band efforts

Not as many Z people

Seems like the boondocks....

 

The church deal is a big thing keeping me back thus far. I know a lot of you guys won't understand it, but those people are like family to me and I'll be keeping in contact with many of them on a weekly basis.

 

Reno/Sparks isn't THAT far, but trips during the winter is hard with the mountain pass the way it is, but during the winter making a trip once a month should be easy. Take off work a little early on friday and drive back sunday night (or even get up early on monday, since my boss usually doesn't get in till around 9 or later)

 

 

Right now it's just such an extreme change to consider so lightly, but at the same time everything in me says do it. It'd be a good life experience and I'd get to strech my wings a bit. I'm always occupied with a million different things when I'm not busy around here, and I'm sure if I moved things would calm down a bit and I'd have more time to do other things like learn to weld, work on a car, record a cd, etc.

 

 

So just some general life advice or opinions on the reno/sparks area would be appreicated.

 

BTW, I started this thread because you people kinda are family too.

[wheelman]

I was born in Reno, not that it makes me an expert but it is related.

 

I say go for it but I'm one of those types that has moved many times in my life so picking up and going to a new location is not a big deal.

I always look at it as a new adventure and an opportunity to start over in certain aspects of my life.

 

Wheelman

[mikeatrpi]

Perhaps I don't understand "baseline", but you're considering a relocation for a $24k job? If you're going to move, you might open up your options a little and look around. If you're not married to the company perhaps this is an opportunity to put your skills to work elsewhere.

[Gollum]

Realistically it should easily grow into a 40k/year job within the first 5 years. They have great benefits, and the two other employees under my boss that have already confirmed that they're gonna move to reno are close friends of mine.

 

My boss is a very cool and laid back guy that's very easy to work for. He's also the type of boss that will look out for his friends, and only hires people he could view has his friends.

 

As an example he and the other two employees under him play WoW nearly every night, and he even talked about buying me an account if that would convince me to play.

 

I'm sure I "could" make a lot more money somewhere else. But the fact is I've only got a high school education on paper, and very little work history. With how stale the market has been lately in california I doubt I could find something that pays well that was in an environment like this.

[mikeatrpi]

I'm sorry if I sound arrogant, that's not my intention. I'm only trying to point out that your decision isn't limited to "go" or "stay". There's also "find a new job" and "go back to school". Ask yourself what your life goals are for the next 1 year, 5 and 10 years. You don't need to share them with us. Just, think a little.

[Evan Purple240zt]

PM sent

[Lunar240z]

yes its far, but its not impossibly far... I know a family who moved there and they still come back to our church every once in a while.

 

the summit store in sparks is nice to check out...

 

I wouldnt move there though, because i know nobody out there.

[randy 77zt]

i have lived in sf bay area-unless you make over $100k a year you will never be able to afford a house there.reno-i like it there but most jobs dont pay as much.but no state income tax.its cold in the winter-so it costs for heat.but its a very motorsports friendly place-many gearheads.they like there motorsports there.everything from dirt bike riding to snowmobiles and drag racing.there is a race track complex out at fernley.take your chance and get out of komifornia.

[Nizm0Zed]

I would say that if you have something going for you that you enjoy, and has potential for better things, then it is wise to try and keep with it.

 

I dont know what sort of distances are involved, but nothing is really that far, besides, seeing as we are in the electronic age, it is much easier to stay in touch between visits.

Having to stand up and control your own life, away from your comfort zone will make you a stronger and wiser person, and this will reflect in your work, again increasing your potential for greatness.

your school education can only take you so far into the workplace, after that, it is what you do, and how you do it that counts.

 

As for your church, im sure you will find one in your new area that is just as welcoming, and supportive to you.

 

I moved to a small town with my wife as she was going to uni nearby, we were 4 hours away form everyone we knew, and we thought it was a crappy little country town full of rednecks. With that attitude, the first few months absolutely sucked. but once we began to embrace our new home, and make friends, we found that the people were better, and the town was better than the stereotype we had first assumed.

4 years later, we have moved back to the city and we are back amongst some of our friends and family, but we both miss the 'country life' and would love to go back there, in our case, there isn't enough work to warrant it, or a good enough schooling system for our son, but its definately on the list of places to move later in life.

 

dont discount the pro of a lower cost of living, that can add up to a VERY big thing, just a bit extra each week can easily be put towards some more luxuries, or more regular visits back to family.

[Gollum]

I'm definately considering lots of visits back to the bay during the summer, so I'll still get chances to see family and friends often.

 

The girlfriend has already said (within an hour of me telling her) that she shouldn't be what stops me from moving to reno, which is calming. In the end it's not THAT far of a move, but during the winter the mountain pass is blocked making trips back home relegated to flying, which isn't really feasible.

 

I'm really looking forward to the possabilities if I DO move though. The extra cash every week could be very meaningful. I could actually have enough money to get serious about my recording projects, have enough cash to get a small loan for a newer car (thinking about a wrx wagon) and of course the money for a car project would be nice.

 

I know it might seem like I'm getting ahead of myself, don't worry I'm not an idiot and I know how to budget. With the initial raise money won't be flowing out of my pockets most likely, but down the road in the near future that might be the case. All in all music is what I care most about in life, and it'd be nice to have the extra income to help that along.

[JMortensen]

If I made 24K the last place on earth I'd want to live is the bay area. I have quite a few friends who grew up in my hometown of Agoura Hills, CA which for a long time had the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita in the world (read as buttloads of $$$ there), and some of my friends make the kind of money you're making. I keep telling them to get the hell out of there as a cheap house is $800K in the "crappy" part of town, but for some reason they can't bring themselves to leave. They can barely afford rent, but they won't go somewhere else. Look at rent and car insurance costs in Reno and you'll see the advantages of moving. It's called not living hand to mouth. The only downside I can see is the gambling. If you're a gambler, it's not a wise move. Otherwise I'd be Nevada bound if I were you.

[Tony D]

I guess 'far' is all in the perspective. Four hours drive is not 'far' by my reckoning. Then again, I joined the service and that makes you grow up pretty fast. Basic Training was 1800 miles from 'home', Technical Training was 600 miles from 'home', and First Duty Station was almost 7000 miles from home.

 

If you are an independent person and can function on your own, move. If you're still living at home and haven't really been out on your own then this may be a bigger step than you are ready for at this point in your life. Eventually you will find the stones to move away and be your own man,it usually happens.

 

I missed my 25th High School Reunion, but got the skinny from those who went, there are still the same guys hanging around downtown that did so when they were in highschool. Nothing wrong with that if you can make a living that satisfies what you want out of life. If you can't, then you have to make some adult decisions that may seem daunting, but if you never confront them, you will never grow.

 

You don't grow staying comfortable, you grow doing things that make you uncomfortable. New job, new things to learn, new location. Like the saying goes 'the green water never leaves the pond, it just sits there, and nothing lives in it'...

 

Good Luck.

 

BTW, I work in Vegas all the time, and I could almost say 'There's Gambling there?' If I didn't do work AT the Wynn Casino, I wouldn't know it...save maybe for the slots in the gas station. It's something that you don't need to expose yourself to, and there are plenty of places where it's not prevalent. It's not Gomorrah...

[Careless]

Yep, I know what Tony's talking about.

 

Moved out 1.333_ years ago, and I can't see myself going back. The next thing I plan to do is guage whether or not a mortgage for my own place is the next best thing to do... even if there's only a couch, a mattress and a TV in the entire damn thing.

 

Currently I live with a friend who is also my land lord, and I pay rent.

 

And I will be shooting for a 42+k salary this year, when my boss makes an offer.

Anything less than that, and I'll be asking for increased benefits, reduced hours, and all holidays off.

 

Don't sell yourself short. I did, and I'm starting to dislike work.

And you don't neccessarily HAVE to take him up on his offer... why not go through a 90 day probationary period, and find a host family or someone with a room to rent about 10 minutes from work in Reno, and see if you like it?

 

That way all your stuff stays where it is, and you can organize the move a little better, should you decide to grab the bull by the horns.

 

Other than the church community, what would you miss if you left?

 

To be honest, I think seeing people from church half as much as you did before will give you a reason to look forward to coming back every month or so. I like to spend some time with some good people and have fun on occasion rather calling people to figure out what to do due to boredom.

 

At least when you got your own place, you'll have a lot of things to keep you busy.

 

bottom line: mixed bag

[Zmanco]

I grew up in the Bay area, got married, and had my daughter there. When she was 7 I was offered a relocation to the Denver area by my company. I took it and don't regret it at all. BUT ....

 

What I didn't consider was what my job prospects would be when I left my employer, which I did about 2 years later. Since then (about 7 years now), I have yet to work for a company based in Colorado. I've been fortunate to find jobs that didn't require me to relocate, but my choices were much more limited. My skills (technology sales and marketing) are best suited for areas like the Bay area, and I was a bit surprised at how few opportunities there were for me at my level of experience in the Denver area.

 

From your post I suspect you're earlier in your career than I was when I moved, and hence you'd likely have more choices for jobs if/when you left the one you'd be moving for. I can't tell you if you should move, but you should look closely at what types of jobs are available for you in Reno TODAY in the event that the worst thing happened and you found yourself looking for a new job after you moved. If you don't see much opportunity, then Reno might not be the right place for you.

 

Good luck!

[SteelToad]

First, a church that you base your life decisions is not a church, it's a cult. If they're good people, which I would think they are, I'm sure they would want the best for you and your family.

 

Secondly, you forgot an important Pro: The fact that you have a boss that thinks enough of you to make the offer in the first place, and the fact that your boss has the position in the company that he does.

 

Mikeatpri has it exactly right though, go or stay are not your only two choices.

[Lunar240z]

First, a church that you base your life decisions is not a church, it's a cult.

 

Now, If I were you I'd consider deleting this comment. Beacuse in my opinion, it's offensive, and it's wrong. Not to mention against the rules. What's the point of a religion or church other than to guide your life decisions through a set of beliefs?

 

example: [extreme I know, but applicable nonetheless] murderers go to hell=don't murder anyone.

[JSM]

I've been in a cult and understand his point. He's just advising not condemning.

 

My only thought, when I was young, I had great work ethic and thought the owner of the company really would let me move up in the company. I was super dedicated even to the point of only taking a 3 day honeymoon.

 

It got me nothing.

[S30TRBO]

Gollum,

 

Isn't a church supposed to guide you through life decisions? What do they have to say in this matter? If you decide to relocate I am sure they will be sad however, you can keep in touch and they might help guide you into another church. What does your family say?

 

It seems like your boss likes you enough to offer you a position in Corporate with a move and raise. Not too many people out there like that so you must be doing something good for the company. I don't know how old you are or what your background is but you need to ask yourself:

 

• Is my church more important than my career?

• Do I want to grow in this company or stay status quo?

• Am I really married to Jesen Precast?

• If I stay in SF can I market myself and find another job with the same pay or better and happiness?

 

 

I don't know what the cost of living is like in SF compared to Reno. However, as some have commented already it seems SF is higher. I just reread your initial post and you said:

 

It’d be a good life experience and I'd get to strech my wings a bit.

 

I think you have your answer my friend.

 

Most important advice I can give to you that I have used since I left the nest at 18, (I am 32 now) joined the military and now have a life of my own is: Always listen to your gut it will never let you down.

[woldson]

Must not be a major religon, so I'am guessing it is only local. Thats tough. Anyhow, Careless idea is a good one! Moving to management will look good on your resime as well as relocation.

Seeing the world more, checking out a new church, moveing up in the corperate ladder and seeing how the gf reacts to a longer distance relationship will problaly give you much greater perspective in life.

I really dont see a down side. We all gotta learn sometime about life, (not saying your immature), sooner the better.

 

Life is really is what you do with it, not what life dose to you! Experience helps in this journey.

[Gollum]

You're guys comments about religion might be seen as rude, but no worries everyone i'm not offended at all, and it IS a major religion, and I'm sure I can find a church up in reno.

 

But they're FRIENDS, people that I'll have a bond with the rest of my life. The fact that I met them through church is just a side fact. No worries, I'm not part of a cult.

 

Yesterday I got the chance to sit down with several close friends and all of them basically had the same conclusion which was reassuring. They all wished I would stay, but wanted the best for me and were encouraging me to make my own decision regardless of what that might be, and that they'd support my decision.

 

 

As more time passes by I think the option will be move to reno. I have a great boss and I love my work, and with the kind of environment we have here it should allow me to also pursue other interests which is the whole point of making more money right?