I'm sure there have been similar posts, but would appreciate your thoughts on my particular situation given the economic climate:
I'm 34, single, work in finance in new york. I don't make baller money, but enough to go out when I want, take a trip or two per year, and live an ok lifestyle in nyc. I also don't work ridiculous hours (pretty much a 9-6 gig) so have time to game, workout, and chill.
The problem I have is two fold: 1. The firm I work for is a dinosaur in terms of finance jobs and I need to make a move or risk being under-skilled in the next 10 years. and 2. I'm from SoCal and would love to move back, even if I don't make the same amount of money as nyc.
My firm currently is considering additional layoffs and I've seriously considered raising my hand to take a severance package. My thoughts are that with my severance (3 months) along with 6-7 months of unemployment, I would almost have a year to find a job. I might even take 2-3 months to travel down to SA and properly learn spanish.
Given there are talks about going back into a recession and the CA economy/jobs situation, would you take the risk if you have it relatively comfortable in nyc? My disposable income would fall in CA due to the lower incomes and still moderately high cost of living, gas, etc. I would live poorer, but be happier.
I realize some of you would disapprove of my use of unemployment, but I've had a job since I was 16 and have NEVER used the safety net/gov assistance. I've paid a LOT into the unemployment system and given the economy is shaky, I don't feel remorse drawing from a system to help me bridge the gap until I'm a productive part of society again. If things were better, I'd just save up some cash, quit and move out to CA, but there are a lot of smart and educated people out there who still can't find a job.
Thoughts?
I'm 34, single, work in finance in new york. I don't make baller money, but enough to go out when I want, take a trip or two per year, and live an ok lifestyle in nyc. I also don't work ridiculous hours (pretty much a 9-6 gig) so have time to game, workout, and chill.
The problem I have is two fold: 1. The firm I work for is a dinosaur in terms of finance jobs and I need to make a move or risk being under-skilled in the next 10 years. and 2. I'm from SoCal and would love to move back, even if I don't make the same amount of money as nyc.
My firm currently is considering additional layoffs and I've seriously considered raising my hand to take a severance package. My thoughts are that with my severance (3 months) along with 6-7 months of unemployment, I would almost have a year to find a job. I might even take 2-3 months to travel down to SA and properly learn spanish.
Given there are talks about going back into a recession and the CA economy/jobs situation, would you take the risk if you have it relatively comfortable in nyc? My disposable income would fall in CA due to the lower incomes and still moderately high cost of living, gas, etc. I would live poorer, but be happier.
I realize some of you would disapprove of my use of unemployment, but I've had a job since I was 16 and have NEVER used the safety net/gov assistance. I've paid a LOT into the unemployment system and given the economy is shaky, I don't feel remorse drawing from a system to help me bridge the gap until I'm a productive part of society again. If things were better, I'd just save up some cash, quit and move out to CA, but there are a lot of smart and educated people out there who still can't find a job.
Thoughts?