[Benedict1957]

Originally Posted by FC4

Maybe where you live.

The job market right now puts all the power in the employees hands. I can't hire 3-5 year engineers fast enough at $160K. It's so bad that we even have $10K finder's feess for about 15 different engineering/management positions.

STEM job market =/= overall job market

Most Americans are scientifically illiterate. There's always been a dearth of engineers.

[Dougeefresh]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

You know your company/boss better than anyone on here. Do you think there is more room? Also depends on what you do and how replaceable you are. South Florida is a big job market so chances are they can find someone to do what you do.

Company has already moved and a good portion of employees are already down there as well. They are looking for talents down there but believe it or not they can't find anyone with comparable skills and are having very difficult time to fill open positions. Especially hard time looking for developers. Too bad I am not one...

[fcman]

Originally Posted by FC4

Maybe where you live.

The job market right now puts all the power in the employees hands. I can't hire 3-5 year engineers fast enough at $160K. It's so bad that we even have $10K finder's feess for about 15 different engineering/management positions.

I guess I'll take the job, assuming you are talking software.

[Repoman]

1. Take the job at 10% raise with the relo.

2. Float your resume to companies/contacts around your area to see what your market value is. If you get a new position at 25 - 30% more (with a good benefits package) then you can decide which situation is better for you.

Good luck.

[Unison8]

Like others have mentioned you really no your situation/boss/company the best. As an outside perspective I would really focus on your options that will usually give a clear view on what leverage you may have, ie if your position is high demand in your current area or you could go into business yourself with a drop of the hat-you could then ask for the world from your current employer but if those options are not readily available to you then taking what's is on the table might prove most prudent.

Keep us updated.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by FC4

Maybe where you live.

The job market right now puts all the power in the employees hands. I can't hire 3-5 year engineers fast enough at $160K. It's so bad that we even have $10K finder's feess for about 15 different engineering/management positions.

What field are you referring to and what location? I cant seem to land any

I m looking for better opportunities esp. Southeast or mid atlantic region, have a phd mechanical engineering and mgmt experience

As far as advice, take the 10% and move the weather itself may be worth it. If you are going to negotiate dont go hard and dont burn any bridges. I know enough that upper mgmt looks at how you react to such situations and could be favorable for you later if you handle it well...

[bantam]

Originally Posted by FC4

Maybe where you live.

The job market right now puts all the power in the employees hands. I can't hire 3-5 year engineers fast enough at $160K. It's so bad that we even have $10K finder's feess for about 15 different engineering/management positions.

I presume this is software engineering?

[smithf80]

I'm pretty sure it will cost you less to live in Boca, but Florida will suck compared to Chicago. You're going from big-city type area for a land of old people and 55+ communities. As for me, being born in New York, I really don't think you could get me away from the state anytime soon.

[jstnstr]

Actually the area just north of Boca (Delray Beach) is very nice, slightly cheaper, much younger, and up and coming. It's no Chicago, but if you need big city that badly Miami is less than an hour away.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by tharptroy

I presume this is software engineering?

Yes.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by FC4

Yes.

What skillset are you looking for if you don't mind me asking? I am coming up on my third year in the industry and trying to gauge whether or not it's time for me to look for more lucrative and interesting opportunities (doing financial systems dev for a Fortune 100 at the moment, a little boring but stable). I'd be curious to see what would make someone with 3-5 years experience worth $160k.

[elusive303]

Originally Posted by fcman

What skillset are you looking for if you don't mind me asking? I am coming up on my third year in the industry and trying to gauge whether or not it's time for me to look for more lucrative and interesting opportunities (doing financial systems dev for a Fortune 100 at the moment, a little boring but stable). I'd be curious to see what would make someone with 3-5 years experience worth $160k.

Salaries in the Bay Area are a bit inflated compared to other cities. 160k here is comparable to 100k in most other cities due to the ridiculous cost of housing. When the average price of a 1000sqft shack is over 800k you'll need something to entice people to come. The weather alone isn't going to do it.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by elusive303

Salaries in the Bay Area are a bit inflated compared to other cities. 160k here is comparable to 100k in most other cities due to the ridiculous cost of housing. When the average price of a 1000sqft shack is over 800k you'll need something to entice people to come. The weather alone isn't going to do it.

Yeah I was taking a look at real estate out there and it's absurd. I'm closing on a brand new 2700sqft house here in Atlanta for mid $300s. Can't imagine what that would cost out there. $1+mil? I can't even find a sufficiently large house there under $500k, how do you do it? Even at $160k it would be tough.

[NickyC]

I could go on about this all day, but in regards to OP or anyone else considering another job, check out this article today from the CEO of Gallup. In other words, you better be damned sure you have something else lined up before you jump, and now is not the time to get frisky with an employer in regards to compensation unless you're a whizbang with a skill set that is in extremely high demand. This doesn't even take into account the next crash which is coming that I feel is going to make 2007-2008 look like nothing. Be thankful for what you have is my best advice.

http://www.gallup.com/opinion/chairm...mployment.aspx

[FC4]

Originally Posted by fcman

Yeah I was taking a look at real estate out there and it's absurd. I'm closing on a brand new 2700sqft house here in Atlanta for mid $300s. Can't imagine what that would cost out there. $1+mil? I can't even find a sufficiently large house there under $500k, how do you do it? Even at $160k it would be tough.

There's no such thing as a single-family home under $500K on the Peninsula of the Bay Area. Here is what $500K gets you in one of the most crime-ridden cities after Oakland...and it's a fixer-upper. But on the other side of the freeway with "East" dropped off the mailing address, a home the exact same size and condition will go for $2-2.5m. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12...15582338_zpid/

That said, people exaggerate how much money you really need to live here. A single man in his 20s making $160K can live quite well.