Career Decisions

[jyl]

But aren't the tax rates in Georgia same or higher than in Illinois?

Illinois marginal income tax rate 5%, state sales tax 6.75-9.75% depending on local rate.

Georgia marginal income tax rate 6%, state sales tax 4-8% depending on local rate.

Well, I didn't consider the high taxes in Illinois to be philosophical.

[legion]

Property taxes are more than double in Illinois.

[jyl]

Ouch. That hurts.

#1 sounds better if you can get along with your friend, will you be working for him, with him, or independently of him?

In Oregon our typical property tax is about half of the typical Illinois rate, depends on county of course. We have no sales tax. Our top marginal income tax rate is 9.9%. So, a very different tax structure than either of your two states.

[legion]

I'd be slotting in a level higher than my friend on the team he founded. I had a long talk with him. He didn't seem the least bit concerned.

[sleepy911]

Just be honest with yourself and the people around you and things will always work out. Sometimes my team thinks I'm an ass hole because I tell it like it is but we never harbor resentment because the truth is always the truth. Even if you don't like it. Of course this is also why I'm divorced.

[jyl]

Would you want to move back to your old town, old neighborhood, even (had you the chance) your old house? Or would you take the opportunity to "upgrade"?

Really interesting opportunity. Sounds pretty promising, really.

[Sebscst]

This might sound simple but just do whatever will make you " happy" ,in the long run your families life will be better off. Why do people worry so much about their careers,tax rate,property values... Worry about spending time with your kids not 3 hrs of traffic.

[legion]

Maybe to all of the above. My old house was better built, but slightly smaller than my current house.

I'd like to look for a house out in the country--you know--like a house with a 15 minute commute.

[jyl]

I remember, or think I remember, you talking about what was available out in the near rural area. This was a couple years ago.

Any risk of that 15 min drive becoming a lot longer during the winter?

[legion]

Sure. Maybe 3-4 times in an average winter it may take 30-45 minutes one way. Maybe once every 3-5 years there will be too much snowfall to make the drive, but I'd be allowed to work from home if that were the case.

Currently, I can count on 1-2 drives a week being ridiculous, and maybe once every month or two having a whole week that just sucks.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by jyl

Remind me what you didn't like about Illinois? My impression was your objections to the place were more political and philosophical than practical.

The traffic you describe in Atlanta sounds non survivable to me.

I drove in Atlanta for a business about 15 years ago. Based on my experience, it was horrendous and I'd be looking for a way to avoid it at all costs.

[masraum]

I have to say, good on you for getting out. There's no way I'd be able to work for the guy. He sounds like a nut and idiot. I commend you for making it as far as you have.

[jyl]

That sounds just fine.

I bet you're going to be so much happier a year from now.

Sure. Maybe 3-4 times in an average winter it may take 30-45 minutes one way. Maybe once every 3-5 years there will be too much snowfall to make the drive, but I'd be allowed to work from home if that were the case.



Currently, I can count on 1-2 drives a week being ridiculous, and maybe once every month or two having a whole week that just sucks.

[legion]

I walked out of the interview not feeling so great. I guess it went better than I thought, as I got an offer anyway.

I've got a phone call with the manager on Monday to work out the details, but it sounds like she wants me up there in a couple of months.

As if that wasn't enough stress at one time, my wife is 9 months pregnant and due next week.

[Tishabet]

First off, good luck to you and your wife with the baby. Kudos!

Might be a little too late to offer advice as it sounds like your decision may be made, but.... there are a lot of other companies to work for and a lot of other places to live. Some of my best personal and professional decisions have been based on regret avoidance... five years from now, will older me look back with satisfaction at the decision I am making? Or will I regret playing it too safe, taking the path that is too easy, etc. If you have the ability to be honest with yourself about what you want out of life then you are most of the way there. Good luck with whatever decisions you make.

[rattlsnak]

Why do you live way the heck up in Suwanee? Move to Dunwoody or Sandy Springs, or Marietta or any of the other many nice areas that are 20 minutes away from Ashford Dunwoody area.

Yeah, ATL has traffic issues for sure but it is a great area geographically. So so many things to do nearby around here from the mountains to the beach to the lakes, festivals, and everything a big city has to offer, etc.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Why do you live way the heck up in Suwanee? Move to Dunwoody or Sandy Springs, or Marietta or any of the other many nice areas that are 20 minutes away from Ashford Dunwoody area.

Yeah, ATL has traffic issues for sure but it is a great area geographically. So so many things to do nearby around here from the mountains to the beach to the lakes, festivals, and everything a big city has to offer, etc.

No kidding! The Atlanta metro area is very nice! I tried to stay there, but my employer didn't allow it. I lived near Alpharetta (for the schools which were statistically the best in the state at the time) and worked downtown (wife worked at the CDC)...Sometime I/we got stuck for hours on the freeway. I found a different route (only a short way on the freeway) and adjusted my hours slightly. That made it a much easier and constant 35-40 min for each of us (we had to drive separately) which was tolerable. If I ever move back and work downtown, I would certainly get closer in...especially now that schools are no longer a consideration. The Dunwoody area was pretty nice and affordable when I lived there, but there were lots of other nice areas near there.

[legion]

My house, in Dunwoody, would be $800k without a yard and $1.4 million with the same sized yard. It's not affordable at all. I could afford to live in an apartment there. I'm in Suwanee because it was the closest affordable area. We looked in Alpharetta, but didn't find anything in the week I had to find a house. Adjusting my hours would work somewhat, but my boss has assigned my hours (for no reason other than he wants that level of control) and my only way to adjust them is to leave the position.

[sc_rufctr]

Where would you really want to live and what job would be ideal?

Why not stay where you are now and look for the right job in your ideal location.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by legion

My house, in Dunwoody, would be $800k without a yard and $1.4 million with the same sized yard. It's not affordable at all. I could afford to live in an apartment there. I'm in Suwanee because it was the closest affordable area. We looked in Alpharetta, but didn't find anything in the week I had to find a house. Adjusting my hours would work somewhat, but my boss has assigned my hours (for no reason other than he wants that level of control) and my only way to adjust them is to leave the position.

I get what you are saying about Dunwoody, but there are many other areas closer to work that are easily affordable. I know you had a short time to initially look, but the point is, as others have said, where would you rather live overall? ATL or Il.? If it's here than move or find another job, if its there, then move back!