I expect to be offered a job in the next two weeks in a low cost of living area (at my DC salary)

[Anonymous]

Space coast

[Anonymous]

Space coast is great! my favorite part of Fla! If i had to live in Fla (again) it would be there (again). FIT's a great school. So is UF and FSU. And there is a state arts school for high schoolers - FSA. You'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I personally would be very tempted, because I find the area a grind. HOWEVER, if your family isn't behind this, it could be a tough row, especially if DD is resentful. So, even though your wife doesn't really want to discuss this now (which tells me she doesn't like the idea), I think you need to really brainstorm pluses and minuses with her. Is a trip with wife a possible, to just get more information?

Are there other kinds of opportunities for the family there (hobbies, activities)?
What about your extended family?
How outgoing is your wife (or you) and DD and how easily will anyone make new friends?
How does new financial picture fit in with your current financial long-term goals?

[Anonymous]

What do you do for a living that you can spell as poorly as you do and be offered such an opportunity? Your post was almost unreadable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you do for a living that you can spell as poorly as you do and be offered such an opportunity? Your post was almost unreadable.

There were about 20 people that responded to OP. Only you and one other person had problems. So, get bent!

[Anonymous]

I teach the humanities. I have many former students who can't spell yet are successful in STEM fields. I suspect OP is dealing with green-eyed monsters here. Who hasn't dreamed of earning their DC area salary in a lower COL area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally would be very tempted, because I find the area a grind. HOWEVER, if your family isn't behind this, it could be a tough row, especially if DD is resentful. So, even though your wife doesn't really want to discuss this now (which tells me she doesn't like the idea), I think you need to really brainstorm pluses and minuses with her. Is a trip with wife a possible, to just get more information?

Are there other kinds of opportunities for the family there (hobbies, activities)?
What about your extended family?
How outgoing is your wife (or you) and DD and how easily will anyone make new friends?
How does new financial picture fit in with your current financial long-term goals?

My wife loves the beach; there is no extended family in the DC Area, though DW's family is from the mid-atlantic area. My family is out west. However, both of our parents winter in Florida.

The reason why I am really considering this is that my body does not handle the cold weather well. I have arthritis in my fingers and spine...I can't shovel snow (heart issues), and every surgical scar aches when it gets cold (I have had several abdominal surgeries).

As for the financial picture, I am beyond thinking long term. I am old enough where I have the savings I need for retirement once my daughter is finished with school (I will be about 63 then), assuming I left the DC area. I will not be rich, but will be comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach the humanities. I have many former students who can't spell yet are successful in STEM fields. I suspect OP is dealing with green-eyed monsters here. Who hasn't dreamed of earning their DC area salary in a lower COL area?

I am op and am in a SteM field (emphasis on science and math). I will not get any more specific, as that would allow me to be outed.

[Anonymous]

Op, I totally envy you, and congratulations on being able to have such a tempting option!!

(By the way, I had a really really talented and likeable boss once--she couldn't spell well at all and I never thought it made her any less excellent at what she did--correct spelling wasn't essential for her work).

I hope it comes through and that your family will be on board. Definitely take your DD and wife for an exploratory visit and make sure they see all the palm trees, etc!! Perhaps starting high school is the ideal time for her to switch schools....though helping her transition would be key, such as going down there well beforehand and getting her in a summer camp or social thing with some future classmates, etc. You could even set up a guest room in her new place where she can plan on having old friends come down .

My only concern is job stability. I'm not in your field so have no idea about this contract stuff. How long would your employment last, do you think? If you need to work afterwards, is it likely you would find something else without having to move again?
Keep us updated!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I totally envy you, and congratulations on being able to have such a tempting option!!

(By the way, I had a really really talented and likeable boss once--she couldn't spell well at all and I never thought it made her any less excellent at what she did--correct spelling wasn't essential for her work).

I hope it comes through and that your family will be on board. Definitely take your DD and wife for an exploratory visit and make sure they see all the palm trees, etc!! Perhaps starting high school is the ideal time for her to switch schools....though helping her transition would be key, such as going down there well beforehand and getting her in a summer camp or social thing with some future classmates, etc. You could even set up a guest room in her new place where she can plan on having old friends come down .

My only concern is job stability. I'm not in your field so have no idea about this contract stuff. How long would your employment last, do you think? If you need to work afterwards, is it likely you would find something else without having to move again?
Keep us updated!!!!

I am not particularly concerned about stability. My understanding is the new project is a 5 year contract. I will verify that first (is it 5 years, or 5 one year options). In my work up here, I am typically working on 3-6 month projects. I have been lucky in that I have not had any funding gaps lately.

Furthermore, my career area of expertise is actually focused in that area. R & D is global, but the operational center is down there. So, I should be able to find new work (possibly at a lower salary). Right now, the big concern will be the details of the offer: things like health insurance, disability insurance and life insurance. Because of some medical issues I have, these are almost more important that salary. Unfortunately, I have had to use my disability insurance a fair bit in the last 4 years. But, luckily, not the life insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any private schools in the area?

Or is there a university town within commutable distance?

There are private school,s but they are mostly religious based, which is not acceptable. This is in Florida, and there are some of the best schools in florida nearby: I could rent in a good school district (at least at first). But I do not know what good means. My Daughter is schedueled to go to one of the better FCPS schools next year.

As long as there is one acceptable private school, it doesn't matter how many private religious schools there are. There are plenty of universities in Florida, one should be with in a commutable distance (unless you are talking the Keys). Find out where the professors live and send their kids and then emulate them. If you are working in a remote area, I agree with a pp, consider homeschooling. Where is the job located? (general metro area)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A while ago, when things were going porely at my current job (not enough hours, etc.), An opertunity came from the blue..A SETA contract was being recompeted. My company was not bidding on the SETA program. The companies looking to unseat the incumbant wanted to use my resume; I allowed both to do so (with contingent offers); in addition, one company paid me to help on the proposal. The contract was originally awarded to in the incumbant, but the award was challenged. The challenge was upheald, and now the incumbant is disqualified.

Since there were three companies bidding, and only two remain (the two that used my resume), I expect to get an offer soon. Financially, it will be a huge boon for us -- we live in a tear town house we bought in the 90's, and have 500K of equity. Selling the house will allow me to pay off every debt, and have money put aside for my daughter's college. The work is right up my ally, should be interesting, and I know the customer quite well.

On the down side, the schools are nowhere near as good. And the state has a history of underfunding education. In addition, my unstable job is not stable. But, the thought of no more winters on my scar ridden body is intriguing.
I'm
My wife will not talk about it until the job is in hand; my daughter does not want to move.

Jesus, this was painful to read. I can only imagine what kind of company finds you desirable with a complete lack of understanding of basic grammar and spelling.

If this wasn't an anonymous board and I had the ability to know who you and OP really are, I would hire OP in an instant over you. There was no need for this. If you're a decent person, you'll feel some shame and apologize.

op here. This is OT, but I am dyslexic. I could re-read this 100 times and miss the errors. I am also quite good at what I do, one of the top people in the world. Unlike many people, I know my weakness and make sure everything I write is proofread by someone when in a professional context. You can chose not to hire me; frankly, I would not want to work for someone with such a big stick up their rear.

+1

signed: mother of a child with profound dyslexia who is kicking butt in his HS science and math classes. All you need is an editor.

[Anonymous]

go to Florida, it sounds better for your health

[Anonymous]

Florida schools are way better than they used to be, i believe Education week ranks them among the top 10 states in public education. Drum posters tend to base their opinions on when they grew up three or four decades ago and are usually wildly inaccurate.

[Anonymous]

if the fairfax school is langley, get the hell out of there with a B student that doesn't like competition. that is the wrong environment for a teenager that is not ready to fight for her academics.