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Anonymous

08/06/19 at 3:50PM UTC

Career

Moving to new state

I’m looking to move out of California to Oregon to raise my family. I live in the Bay Area so the commute and cost of living has really taken a toll on my body and mind. Now that I have a precious baby boy I can no longer commute up to 3 hours and be away from him over 14 hours a day. I received a job offer for a full time position in OR but....it’s a 40K pay cut. Pro: I’m going to be much closer to my son and I can also go back during lunch. Full time position with good benefits. No more headaches in traffic. Safe community for everyone. Cons: Maternity leave is unpaid and there is a huge pay cut. I’m unsure on how the cost of living really is from CA to OR especially when the income tax is one of the highest in the nation. Any input is appreciated!!

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Alwaysforward11

110

08/08/19 at 4:09AM UTC (Edited)

Is that 40k differentiator non-negotiable? Maybe you can meet in the middle. Also, do they offer short term disability? I would have to take that during my maternity leave.

Anonymous

08/07/19 at 6:26PM UTC

You did a great comparison, sounds like you will be very happy in Oregon! I like that your parents will stay in your house in CA and take over payments, that gives you the flexibility to return if you choose to do so. It's a win-win!

Anonymous

08/07/19 at 4:50PM UTC

Thank you all so much for the responses! I really have thought of this thoroughly and feel that the move is beneficial due to quality of lifestyle. This only motivates me to grind harder because money will come and go. Moments no matter how small or big with my family won’t be forever and that’s what I’ll be looking back on versus how much money I made. I waited my whole life to be a mother and I want to have time to get to know my son. I want him to know that everything I did to grow to the person I am is because I wanted him to have a good life. Listed below are the current CA Cost and estimated OR Costs. The income taxes are quite similar. I have property here that I purchased and I wanted to sell it but my parents are suggesting to hold on to it for now. CA monthly costs: 2 b 2 ba with property tax mortgage 2.5K, commute gas/toll on Prius 240, bills food misc dog 2K, 6 months paid maternity leave from work, free childcare with grandparents (mom and dad are angels I’m so thankful for them). I’m keeping the home for my parents and they will take over payments when I leave. Once mom retires I plan on having them move up with me and I’ll buy a home with my partner. Here I was able to pay benefits plus add 15K into personal savings account. Job here is contracted, not permanent. OR Portland monthly estimated costs: Job is permanent full time with benefits, unpaid maternity leave, 1300 apartment, 1K childcare, gas/commute less than 100, 2K bills Savings: quality time with my precious baby and savoring the moments to get to know him! No commute, gas savings, peace of mind, time for myself and gym Spending: child care, apartment for now until I get more settled in. I’m definitely sad to be away from my parents since they are a huge part of his life but we will be visiting CA or grandparents will come up every month. Lifestyle pros: celebrating all the little moments with my sweetheart no matter what, not be stressed by commit and lost precious time, quieter family friendly neighborhood, safety to walk around Cons: unpaid maternity leave, missing my parents

Ashley K. Stoyanov

138

Creator of engaged communities for hire.

08/07/19 at 3:13PM UTC

Where in Oregon would you be moving? I lived in Portland from 2015 to 2018 and I was very very happy with living there.

Jennifer A

968

08/07/19 at 3:11PM UTC

Agree with others to do the math. Don't forget to look at things like state income taxes and gas taxes. Some of the cost of living changes may be similar. Also consider if you own or rent in CA. If you own, you will have more to invest in an OR house which will reduce your mortgage payments and therefore increase your income. If you rent, look at rental rates, the amount you pay here and the amount there may be drastically different for the same size abode. You might be able to get the same sized place there for less than you are paying in CA.

Lenna

500

Dog mom. Super into wellness, biking & reading

08/07/19 at 2:28PM UTC

Hmm, I'd say if you can live on the salary and you really do the math -- do it. You can try a cost of living calculator or an income tax calculator to see exactly how much you'd make in OR vs CA (like with https://smartasset.com/taxes/oregon-paycheck-calculator)

Anonymous

08/07/19 at 2:15PM UTC

I think it's a pretty significant reduction in housing costs- that may make up for the pay cut on it's own.

Kimberly Duke

153

Statistician using data to explore new solutions

08/07/19 at 2:55AM UTC

I don't have much to add except to agree with the other replies - time with our loved ones is the only thing we cannot earn back later.

Kim Beasley

796

Administrative Professional

08/06/19 at 8:24PM UTC (Edited)

You'll adjust financially. Time with your son is worth losing every cent.

Logan

269

Aspiration Accelerator, Coach and Trainer

08/06/19 at 5:17PM UTC

Congratulations on the job offer! I have a couple of thoughts and ideas, for your consideration: 1. Crunch the numbers, get the facts. For example, what is your hourly pay rate and how much does that translate into savings by eliminating the commute? Are you saving money on childcare...if so, add that in. How is the benefit package from the new company, will you save and/or gain any financials from that? A 401(k) match, more robust healthcare, etc. What are your living expenses in the Bay Area and what would they be in your OR community? Renting/buying a home, cost of commuting, income tax, etc. You get the idea. Where I'm looking here is to compare apples to apples (money-wise) so you can see the actual financial pros/cons of moving to OR. This will cover looking at the situation from the facts, not feelings. 2. Now look at the situation from the feelings...or, as I would think of it, your priorities and quality of life. Assuming the financials from above work out to where you can meet all of your needs, what is it worth to you to have more time with that precious little boy of yours? Try listing out your top 3 priorities in life...then see how your current lifestyle matches up and how your OR lifestyle would match up. Which is more aligned with who you are, who you want to be as a mother and what brings you joy? Hopefully this gives some help in making your decision...I'd love to hear a) what you choose and b) how you choose it.