Job advice please! More money in a not so great town or less in a better town?

[fujiyama]

Alright, I'm facing a dilemma. I have two offers in front of me, both paying the same amount of money. The jobs have a similar profile. I should note, I spent some time at job A in the past.

Job A is located on the other side of the country. It's a very progressive city. I worked on site at the facility and worked directly with the employees there. The previous position ended when my projects ended. I came back home after that. It's a beautiful part of the country, though I was there earlier and I am skeptical of finding jobs in my area in that region if Job A sours for any reason. The cost of living is higher in the city of Job A.

Job B is closer to home. It's a competitor of Job A. I feel it has better overall future career prospects, meaning the possibility of going direct (meaning much needed benefits). It's much closer to my hometown where my family and friends live. I can visit them every weekend. The town the job is in isn't very interesting and doesn't hold much interest for me outside of the job, though it's likely the location of the job itself will change in the next few months (which will provide very nearby access to a major city in the midwest - take a guess which one ;) ). The region the job is in holds more promise in my career area as well and if there were any issues with the job I could head home at any time. There is clearly less risk involved.

I have one more additional problem. I have told job A I will be coming there because I found out about job B only yesterday. They are expecting me at job A and looking forward to me being there. Relocation is on my own dime though and isn't particularly cheap either. But then again, as I mentioned job B is ahead money wise, already considering the cost of living difference.

I'm leaning toward backing out of job A. I hate that I may have to do this and I don't want to burn bridges, as both jobs are in the same industry, but job B seems like it provides more opportunities for my future career prospects.

Have any advice on how to arrive at a decision? I'm still stumped.

[Brigid]

1. I would go with job B.

It sounds as though job B has more to offer.

[Brickbat]

2. I'd go with job B, but I would call job A and tell them everything I was getting from job B and see

if they can make a counteroffer. Tell them you'd still really love to come out there (like the company, like the city), but job B has made such a good offer, you need to look out for yourself and go with it. You never know what they might say.

[siligut]

3. This. Look out for number one first.

But be diplomatic about it. In this job market, taking a different offer is not so unusual. Good luck.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. In this economy...

...my way of approaching it would be to expect the best while allowing the possibility of the worst.

The best would be that you get to stay on whatever job you take for as long as you want, so that if / when you decide to move on, you can take your time and do it on your own terms.

The worst would be that you take either job and that for one reason or another, it's not long term, and you're back to looking for work again. All things considered, the "Column A versus Column B" look at both jobs, if you took the job and lost it, where would you be more comfortable taking the next step...Town A or Town B?

You're going to have to go with your gut on this, so all I can offer is to consider the 360 degree view. The job is 1/3 of your life, or more, depending on the hours...so even if you're in a great town, it won;t feel so great in you're logging in long hours in a job that's not right for you.

Good luck.

[RebelOne]

5. I'd opt for Job B. n/t

[bif]

6. Without knowing the two cities involved

I'd have a hard time offering advice. It's a tough choice. But I'd probably opt for B. It's nice to have friends close by, and it sounds like a better career move overall. More future opportunities.

[xchrom]

7. do what's best for your future?

that's the only thing i can think of.

[RedCloud]

8. As i told the miracle of the Chinese economic boom guy...

You GAVE your word. Good Karma is important. And with that he turned down MIT's offer of over $350,000 per annum and went to China for about $110,000.

And the rest as they say, is history.

[GoCubsGo]

10. Oh, I agree.

You already told the folks at Job A that you were coming. Keeping ones word is the right thing to do. This is my worst nightmare in the event that I actually ever get a permanent job again. Of course, I haven't had an interview in ages let alone even one job offer.

[Dappleganger]

9. Have you received a definite offer in hand from job B?

If so, it seems from what you wrote that it's the one you want.

[fujiyama]

11. Yep

And they upped my original offer. I hate calling the other place and backing, out but I think its the better move.

[Dappleganger]

12. It's ok, it's only business.

They would have no problem backing out on a deal w/you if their requirements suddenly changed. My husband has had an offer of employment withdrawn before because they decided to go with a different type of engineer.

It's only business. :)

[seaglass]

13. I get what some are saying about keeping your word re: job A however

this is a business transaction and just like they would do what was best for their business (ie laying you off if need be) you need to do what is best for yourself. Of course there are no guarantees with either job.

I would be honest and state that you received another offer and with the cost of moving and increased living expenses at this time you think the better decision would be to retract your acceptance and accept the 2nd offer.

[riderinthestorm]

16. Its business. Just tell them what happened and see if they'll match the offer

have Company A pay moving expenses. If they really want you, they'll do what's needed to get you out there.

Chances are they'll listen and then let you go, free to take Company B's offer. In this job market, someone else will easily be found for Company A.

[Curmudgeoness]

14. Flip a coin.

Actually, I think that you know the answer. My opinion is that Job B is the better option in your mind---you say it is closer to friends and family, there is more opportunity for growth (this is huge), better money/less expense, and you seem to have concerns about finding any other work if Job A doesn't work out.

It appears that the only reason you are still thinking about this is that you do not want to tell Job A that you have changed your mind. Is this really a good reason? I know, it seems like a really hard thing to do, but it can be done diplomatically and they really will understand---especially if you are honest about the reasons, and the first reason is that you have another offer which is a better fit.

[alarimer]

15. Better town.

You don't work all the time and, to me at least, quality of life is very important for my time off. I could have the best job but if the place I am living in sucks, I would never really be happy.