Should I stay or should I go?

[GrimmRimmer]

Okay... here's the deal. I currently live in Dallas, and my employer needs some people to go to Virginia (DC area) to do some tough work there for a year. The $$$ incentives are pretty nice. Here's the short of them: an extra $35k AFTER taxes added onto my current salary (this does not include any additional overtime pay). From a monitary perspective, the decision seem pretty obvious; however it's a little more complicated than that (isn't it always!). For one thing, my family lives relatively close to here, and I would definitely miss them. I also have some friends here that would be tough to leave as well. Then there's the whole mess of how to handle my living arrangements... supposedly they are going to pay for an apartment for me, but I have yet to find out whether that includes furnishings or not. Finally, I was planning on going back to grad school to get an MBA soon, but that might have to wait. Other relevant facts about me: I'm 22 and single.

Well, I guess after writing it out like that, it really doesn't seem that scary. Since I have only lived here for about 16 months, I suppose it's just a little shocking about having to start over somewhere else even if for only a year. Anyone here live in the DC area?? If so, how is it? I would imagine that it's a pretty great tourist location (I went there in 1989, but I don't remember it too much). Are there any cool unique places over there that I would need to visit? Also, how's the sales tax over there? Here in Dallas it's a high 8.25%.

As you can tell, I am leaning towards going, but I am just looking for that little extra push to help me get there. I need to decide by tomorrow afternoon. I'd greatly appreciate any friendly advice. Thanks!

 

[slycat]

go of course...
if u can't even decide this...forget that mba.

 

[ElFenix]

another $35K after taxes? well that should somewhat make up for the much higher cost of living

 

[conjur]

If I go there will be trouble

And if I stay it will be double

 

[Luagsch]

it's only 1 year. there's +35K $. what was the question again?

 

[AU Tiger]

You're young and single. Go where the money is while you have the freedom to do so.

 

[Fudssa]

Go.

 

[guapo337]

goooo!

 

[anno]

35K AND housing? and you're 22 and single?

go. sales tax is lower. there's tons to do there. if the housing isn't furnished then get 'em to ante in moving your furnishings there (and back).

there's tons to do there. we lived in northern virginia from '79-91 (my husband grew up there too.. I was 23 when I moved there).. it'd take more than 35k to get me to move back, I'm glad circumstances conspired to move us when they did, I think here has been a better place to raise our kids (they were 3 and 6 when we left), but DC was a good place to spend my early adulthood.. and a year isn't all that very long (and an extra 35k, you can afford to fly home a time or two.. plus.. dc is a good place to get people to come visit you!)..

there's tons to do there. it's a great place to be young.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: conjur
If I go there will be trouble

And if I stay it will be double

Should I stay or should I go now
Should I stay or should I go now
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
Should I cool it or should I blow

 

[wedi42]

go

it's better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't

 

[propellerhead]

Do it. Even if just for the adventure. You'll thank yourself for it later on.

 

[GrimmRimmer]

Okay... thank you for the replies and "The Clash" references! It appears that the obvious choice here is the wise one, and I will report my decision to my boss tomorrow. Let me know if any of you ATOTers know of some cool things to do while I am there. Since you used to live there, anno, any places or nice apartments that come to mind? Thanks again everyone!

 

[rudeguy]

so what kind of work do you do?

 

[jlee]

Extra 35k? Jeez, I'd be happy to be making 35k when I turn 22...lol

 

[speg]

Yeah sounds like you got a killer job. What do you do? Where'd you go to school and what for?

 

[GrimmRimmer]

I work at Raytheon here in Dallas as a software engineer. I went to school at Tennessee at Knoxville and majored in Computer Engineering. I ended up with a great GPA, but no one was hiring when I first got out of school (big surprise). I kept applying the whole time while I was in school, and out of all the places, it was monster.com that ended up matching me with Raytheon. Strange, I know! I do like it here, though, and the job pays extremely well. How about all of you?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: AU Tiger
You're young and single. Go where the money is while you have the freedom to do so.

 

[rgwalt]

I would recommend going out there and working your ass off for a year. Make some extra cash and put it away for grad school.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: johngute
go

it's better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't

lies!

My friend would have regretted not sleeping with that hottie 4 years ago, but not nearly as badly as he regrets sleeping with her and getting aids..... inapt! inapt statement!

 

[jonmullen]

Why are you still here...go already

 

[bleeb]

FORGET ALL of that... go to your local Best Buy or Fry's Electronics... go purchase one of those NICE ARSE digital camcorders... then start making your own retarded Porn home Videos and distribute them all over the internet and other distribution avenues. The MONEY is great, the WORK is great, the "benefits" are GREAT. It's "Hard" work and well worth the "Pushin" and "Tooshin" that is required.

 

[anno]

Originally posted by: GrimmRimmer
Okay... thank you for the replies and "The Clash" references! It appears that the obvious choice here is the wise one, and I will report my decision to my boss tomorrow. Let me know if any of you ATOTers know of some cool things to do while I am there. Since you used to live there, anno, any places or nice apartments that come to mind? Thanks again everyone!

I can't be much help to you I'm afraid..we moved to south carolina because there was no building going on in DC (my husband is an architect) in '90/91, was a recession.. we go back now (my inlaws moved back and my sister in law is still there) we just stare.. it's grown so much.. it's HUGE! when we moved from annandale to reston in '81 we had to make all new friends cuz our inside the beltway friends thought we'd moved to the sticks.. you gotta go almost to winchester to call it the sticks now.. for an area that was dead, construction-wise, 13 years ago, the amount of growth since then just boggles the mind.

I think you should start a new thread.. DC singles.. where's a good place to live! get some relevant info..

 

[PCMarine]

go, you will be glad you did.

 

[Schadenfreude]

go.

You can get that MBA later/part-time