Would you move 2700 miles?

[jitspoe]

So a friend from college recently contacted me offering a programming job at a game development company in California (near San Francisco).  I'm a little torn as to what I want to do.

[KnacK]

For a single guy, the experience would be awesome.
Cost of livving will definitely be higher than what you sare used to:

Housing.
Food
Utilities
Car registration

But, if you want to pursue that as a career, then do it now, while it's easy.  And if things don't work out, you are extremely flexible to pursue other interests.

[Playah]

I'd move if the job would be awesome and I wouldn't loose too many friends from my hometown. But you gotta decide on your self if you find that job that good.

[y00tz]

I moved from Missouri to Seattle for a job (and back again afterward), I'm single.. it worked out well, I left, met  new people, did what I thought I loved doing, learned my mistake, I'm back in Missouri again... 

[magalhaes]

Go for it.

[jitspoe]

There are a lot of pro's and con's.

- Cost of living is higher.
+ I'll probably get paid more.
- Thousands of miles away from current friends and family.
+ Likely to be a lot more people there with similar interests.
+ Work itself will probably be more interesting.
- I'll have less "free time" at work to sneak in some pb2 development or check forums.
- Could be more stressful.

[magalhaes]

- I'll have less "free time" at work to sneak in some pb2 development or check forums.

Don't go for it. :D:D:D:D

[KnacK]

I moved from East of Sacramento to North of Houston.  I left all of my family, friends, and my girlfriend behind.   I had the chance to do something new and dfiferent and did it.

I don't regret it one bit.

Just remember: Doing something like this will get harder as you get older as you won't be as flexible as you are now.

[jitspoe]

you won't be as flexible as you are now.

* jitspoe listens to KnacK's joints creak and pop.

[y00tz]

Another factor to consider is what kind of games does the company develop?  Obviously if they port card games to cellphones, that affects the decision...

[jitspoe]

http://savage2.s2games.com/

[Eiii]

Oh god, don't. That game is pretty darn horrible.

[KnacK]

The big question Nathan, is what do youexpect to get out of the job?

Does it align itself with your goals, be it short term or long term?

Do you see yourself doing this for 1/3/5 years from now?

[y00tz]

I'm probably alone on this, but that game looks good and looks interesting.

http://savage2.s2games.com/ss/ss96.jpg  ... Imagine what he could learn to help make terrains like this for Paintball2....


On the plus side, you get a 401k, moving bonus and a competitive salary...

Competitive salary
Moving bonus
Medical, Dental, and Eye Insurance
401k
Very flexible hours
The reputation of being a member of an award winning team
A good deal of creative control

[Eiii]

The game's concept is interesting, but the execution is pretty darn bad. Huge learning curve, not horribly balanced.

Of course, that was the first game. Maybe the second'll be better.

[jitspoe]

I think I'd actually be working on a different project, but I don't have the details yet since I haven't signed an NDA (and wouldn't be able to share them even if I did).  But, hey, if it's bad, maybe I can make it better.

The big question Nathan, is what do youexpect to get out of the job?

Does it align itself with your goals, be it short term or long term?

Do you see yourself doing this for 1/3/5 years from now?

That's the thing -- I don't really know.  At the moment I'm just kind of kicking back and enjoying life.  There are a couple organizations around here that put on enough medium/large LAN parties that my friends and I go almost every month, then I have a few friends that have small 3-4 person LAN parties almost every weekend, or we go play real paintball (or both).

Between some of the disputes I've seen some of my friends go through with wives/fiancees/girlfriends and annoying neighbor children, I'm not sure I want to start a family any time soon.  I kind of like the single life.  I can buy cool toys without getting chewed out or run off and go some place at a moment's notice.

So... I guess best case here's what I'm hoping for:
- The work itself will be a lot more interesting.  I'll feel more motivated to complete tasks.
- Environment will be loose and fun.
- Lots of "testing" will need to be done.   Part of worktime = playtime.
- Lots of people with common interests to hang out with.
- Neighbors that can speak English well.
- Some attractive females on the off chance I decide I do want a girlfriend (Carolina girls aren't the best in the world...)
- More tech-oriented activities, stores, and people around.
- More stuff to do in general.

[Zorchenhimer]

I'd go for it Jits.

[lekky]

I'd go for it Jits.

Same, the very fact you consider means you should go for it.

Like Knack says, later in life you may not be able to even consider this opportunity due to constraints out of your control. You don't want to look back in a couple of years and regret anything. Annnnnd if you do take it, you're young enough to go back aka y00tz style.

[y00tz]

Wow, the CoL increase your looking at is almost as bad as mine was .. if you go... good luck

Yours:

Compared to the rest of the country, Monroe's cost of living is 13.27% Lower than the U.S. average.

Compared to the rest of the country, Rohnert Park's cost of living is 37.92% Higher than the U.S. average.

Mine:

Compared to the rest of the country, Springfield's cost of living is 23.93% Lower than the U.S. average.

Compared to the rest of the country, Seattle's cost of living is 31.98% Higher than the U.S. average.

[jitspoe]

Well, hopefully I'll get like a 50% increase in salary to make up for it.