Choices, choices…

[bluebuddha]

I was laid-off from my job at the end of March, along with 75% of the staff, and must now make significant choices as to the direction of my life over the next two decades. The good news about the layoff was that I received a respectable severance package and thanks to the WARN act we all received two months notice that the axe was coming. Since

Comments

[gryphonrose]

Where do you feel you would be most comfortable working in terms of personality, office atmosphere, etc.?
Congrats on all the possibilities, btw.

[bluebuddha]

Sadly, or more accurately - luckily, this does not narrow the field; I think I would like all of them.

The one I am most concerned about is in San Antonio. It is the only contract manufacturer of the bunch, which is not so much bad as it it unknown. I have never worked for a contract manufacturer...

[anonymous]

Reading the list, I'd first vote for Atlanta. In your description, the culture is more agreeable really stands out. Otherwise, all things being equal, I'd say the Pocono's might be beautiful but San Antonio seems like it has stronger arguments (family, biking, housing). Good luck to you no matter your choice.

[geekmom]

I'd nix the places you'll never be able to own a home, and then evaluate the work atmosphere. Living in paradise is hell if you spend most of your time at a job you hate.

[bluebuddha]

Yeah, it is complicated, though.

The three options I have in Massachussetts would all work as 'temporary' measures, up to a few years, while I searched for the "perfect" job, if such a thing exhists...

And, to be fair, we can afford a house in MA, if we are willing to move out to the suburbs and commute, my family just does not want to do this.

On a personal note I could bring up that my time at work, even when it is suboptimal, is a full order of magnitude less unpleasant than typical home time...

I can dream about cool jobs and cool locations all day if I wish, but it boils down to getting a job that pays the bills in a location that gives my family the fewest legitimate oportunities to complain for the next 16 years.