Okay, I'm a therapist but need Du'ers advice.

I went for a job interview today in North Carolina. I have always wanted to live in this area, western north carolina. The place I could be working is one mile from the most beautiful place on the planet, Pisgah National Forest. Problem is that I will be making about 16,000 less per year. I presently work two jobs in SC, clinical social worker and a college instructor. I would of course lose the college job if I moved out of state. However, I would be living in an environment that is comforting versus oppressive. I live in Columbia SC presently and hate it, too flat and too much concrete. What would you guys/gals do? Oh yeah, social workers are grossly underpaid.

Happy trails.

I wonder if you don't go for it, will you ever feel right about yourself?

therapist, heal thyself!

Is the extra cash worth being miserable over?

Of Course Not!!!!

Money v. quality of life.

If you can manage for a while on the lower salary, until you find a comparable second job in the NC university system, that might make enough difference to justify the move.

But, if you just interviewed today, wait until you get something definite before making decisions. It might also be wise to ask around in the general neighborhood about what life is like in that part of NC. Pisgah might not be of much solace if the community is not to your liking.

Cheers, and happy hunting.

My wife calls me the "anti-social social worker" because in my free-time I hug trees, not people. So, this area of NC works for me.

I have massive student loan bills, car payment, want to have a baby, want to buy a house, and oh yeah eat. I am not a materialistic person but understand that I have bills to pay. If we moved we would struggle. If it were not for these issues there would be no debate.

you will feel about things in five years. then make your decision. you are worried about moving from comfortable to unknown. its a hard thing to do but you will know what to do once you do this. also, you have skills. I am sure you will teach again in your new place if you got there. remember, the journey of a million miles begins with but a single step. good luck, honey.

"I have always wanted to live in this area, western north carolina."

Good point.

Sorry. Nothing personal.

It is all you, you, you, you.

Other than your personal comfort, income and environment, is there anything you want to do for the world?

you don't know me, have no clue of what my life is about yet you want to judge me. If my life was all about me me me I would not be a social worker. So, please thou holy one, don't judge me. Instead, look in the mirror.

. . . your position as a therapist.

Sorry.

it's called life, making decisions, and survival, surely you know about that thou holy one.

And since you are considering taking a $16,000 cut in salary, I don't think survival is an issue for you.

It'a all about you. That is your choice.

Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me.

Whatever.

I will be making about 30,000 a year and considering the bills I have it will be tough. You must live a glorious life, worry free, thou holy one.

Oh, boo hoo hoo. And all in the name of looking at a "beautiful place."

There are millions of families in America that would love to be bringing in $16,000 a year.

You are joking? Right?

You'll be a republican in no time.

I don't mean to pick on you but I came back to this thread and don't know why you're so hard on someone making a life decision. A $16,000 cut in salary doesn't exactly mean the person has had money to play around with all this time. I work a job I love for $20,106 a year. It's enough for me to scrape by on in the city I live in but if I had to support my partner or if I had kids or if I even *wanted* to have kids or if I wanted to buy a place maybe or if my truck broke down or if I needed dental work I'd be screwed. Let's say I was making $16,000 more than this a year and living a life which was not extravagant by any means but which allowed me to do all of the above. Coming down that $16,000 would be a big deal and no it doesn't mean the person is thinking "me me me me." Hell, coming down from even more than that would still be a big deal in this economy.

And even if he was thinking "me me me" I don't get what is so wrong about self-preservation in the first place. If I don't' take good care of myself I am shit-all for helping anyone else. My definition of 'selfish' is not as big as it used to be once I realized that.

You and I live in the real world. I have been on DU for years and have never put anyone on "ignore" until now. If I wanted to be judged for making a decision in which would affect my family I would have gone to the free republic website.

And please, don't listen to the dude who says you have very little direction (wtf?). Every person of good conscience that I know has had to make this decison and it's EASY when someone else is asking your advice but it's not as easy when it's you in the middle of it. Being able to eat and pay rent (and even go to a movie or buy new clothes without hating yourself for spending the money) is just as worthy a consideration as living someplace you love and working to make the world better.

That being said, I think you should take the job and make your soul happy right now if you can afford it! :)

The person that says I have no direction does not know me or my circumstances. In my clinical opinion, he/she is a prick.

You might make less but look into if you will spend less for the same quality of life. The difference in income might not effect your life as much as you think.

Imagine a year from now, you have not relocated, how do you feel?

Reverse the question, a year from now and you are living in NC. How do you feel?

Try this meditation in a quite place, give yourself plenty of time. Whenyou are done you will know your answer.

BTW: My daughter Loved Asheville.

what is her opinion? If she is currently working, what happens to her job? If she is not currently working, is it an option for her to go to work to ameliorate the $16k drop in income?

Or do you just keep her locked up in the closet all day? :P
(kidding, but why isn't she a consideration in the original post?)

Besides, in time you can always get a teaching position.

I love the Outer Banks myself. In fact, my older sister retired in Southport (near the ocean) and she LOVES it.


I would go in 2 seconds. $ isn't everything (and I say this from a person who has had $ and not so much $).

Good luck to you