City or Suburbs?

[fimoc]

So I have an existing offer for employment in the city. I also just went for a job interview in Long Island (at the very last reaches of NYC public transportation) and they said "they would be getting back to me very soon". I started thinking about what choosing the place in Long Island would mean for my life, and got myself in a bit of a mess

Comments

[philomelian]

How far is in from the city? My current situation pretty much parallels your suburban option. I live in the suburbs and the client I'm staffed with right now is even further in the suburbs. I'd suggest giving the suburbs the burden of proof; unless you see really compelling evidence that you'll be able to have the kind of social life you want, be around people you like, and get into the city when you want to, make sure the job in the suburbs is enough better than the one in the city to justify the loss of those advantages.

M

[philomelian]

One more point: I've been realizing more and more that the quality of your personal life affects how well you do your work much more than the job itself. So making even a fairly small sacrifice in your personal life for a more prestigious or lucrative job isn't necessarily a good idea.

[queenofolupitoo]

Can you tell Goldman that you have a better offer and ask them if they can consider trumping that offer? I don't know if that's possible, but it seems like it would be if they want you enough, and it sounds like you'd rather be there

[butter_fly_]

go explore suburbia a little more. get in touch with somebody who could show you around and tell you what the social scene is like. it sounds like you're already familiar with city life, so doing a little comparison shopping is a good idea. i don't know exactly what area you're referring to, but i know someone from src who lives in that general vicinity (end of the line) and i can put you in touch... shoot me an email.

another thought: i don't know how much money we're talking here (nor do i want to know), but it's not the only thing. it's an important one, certainly, but still not the only one. you need to be happy and comfortable too.

sarah's suggestion of talking to goldman about your better offer is a good one. also keep in mind that (unless there's some strange contractual thing going on here) no decision you make right now is forever. you might work for one company for only a couple years before you move to another job (and location) within the company or move to another company (or something else entirely).

[fimoc]

Thanks for all the thoughts - there are definitely a few things I haven't really considered like staying closer to the city and commuting, etc.