Back in October, I spent my entire six-hour drive back from my 5 year college reunion in Davidson, NC plotting how I'd get back there permanently. I don't think anyone could blame me for it. The combination of nostalgia, reconnecting, beautiful weather, not to mention my then general distaste for all things DC, was too enticing not to consider. I thought about it for a few weeks, discovered I could actually do it without losing my current job, had a conversation with my boss, my mom, and my therapist. I blogged about it. And then predictably after a few weeks it kind of faded into the background, no longer at the forefront of my mind.
Until last week. My uncle, who lives in Durham, emailed me to see if I was still interested in moving to North Carolina. He's building a new house and while his condo is on the market, he wants me to come stay there to keep an eye on the place. Rent free. Currently I am paying out the nose for a bedroom in a shared house where I have no privacy other than in my bedroom and am awakened daily by a pissy chihuahua. So, I'm being offered a chance to live in a beautiful two-bedroom condo for free. In North Carolina. Within six hours of my family. And I can keep my current job. When I do need to come back to DC, it's only a four-hour drive or a measly 45 minute flight. It feels like an offer I can't refuse.
This is how I figure it. I go live there for the rest of the 2011 while I still have my current job. I save up some money (hello, no rent) and begin making a professional network there. If when December comes around, my current contract is not removed, I begin looking for jobs in the Research Triangle. Worst case scenario is I land a job in DC or elsewhere and have to move again, but with some extra cash set aside.What if the condo sells? My uncle has already offered me the entire top floor of his new house where I'd have room for a separate office for the rest of the year.
Seriously, I feel like I can't lose. It's a low-risk opportunity to try something new on a trial basis. I feel like I have to go for it.
What a perfect way to try it out! See if you like NC, and rent-free!
ReplyDeleteIt only requires a mini move. Would you take your furniture...hmmmm, couch as I recall? Or is it time to leave that behind/sell and move on?
I think it's a fantastic opportunity, and you simply can't turn it down. Worst case scenario...you end up back in DC, having saved a few months on rent.
I say go for it!
PS...I went to school at Duke and lived in Chapel Hill, so I too loved the area, and would have stayed there, had I been offered a job I interviewed for. But since I was "rejected" I ended up back in New England. But I always loved that area, and have been back a few times since.
**sadface**
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, go do what makes you happy.
Well you know what I think. You don't want to NOT do this and then look back and wished you had.
ReplyDeleteI say go for it. Essentially you have nothing to lose.
I'd go for it if I were you. Those types of offers don't come around everyday.
ReplyDeleteWow... there really is no down side! You want it, and it's attainable-- rent free! Sounds great. And you're at the time in your life you can do it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhenever you talk about NC, you seem so happy, it definitely seems like something to try out. Will miss you tho. :)
ReplyDeleteDC would miss you ... but seriously? This sounds like a fantastic opportunity. :)
ReplyDeletewelcome home....its lovely down here
ReplyDeleteUmm....this is a no-brainer! Do it! It's the perfect opportunity to try it out & see how you like it!
ReplyDeleteIf you feel like you have to go for it, then go for it. But go for it for the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome and sounds like a great opportunity! It's amazing when things like this fall into your lap; I say go for it, too!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you can keep your job and make this move...for free...is a no-brainer. If I were you, I'd jump at the chance. Like others have said, you can always go back to DC, but you might regret it if you don't do it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck whichever way you decide to go.
go for it
ReplyDeletejust catching up on stuff and this sounds like and exciting new start or at least a break from the weariness of D.C. good luck with it - hope you decided to do it for sure and can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you decide to do!? This sounds like an awesome opportunity.
ReplyDelete