Difficult career decision

[NoisyDante]

I am in an odd position.  I work in Los Angeles, and I sort of like the town, but not really.  I'm here for the industry I've been trying to be successful in.

Right now I may have a choice to leave Los Angeles, move to San Francisco, and begin working heavily in videogame audio.  I love San Francisco, I've been trying to take my career there for years, but I think if I get into gaming, it will be difficult to get out and back into film.  Game audio can be monotonous and unrewarding, IMO.

So, I have two options.  Hate living in LA, but continue to work in film.  Love living in SF, but work on potentially boring game audio.  Does the happiness of where I live outweigh the happiness of the career path I really want?

That last bit pretty much sums up my quandary.  

Please no one tell me I should just be thankful to have a job, my bosses say that whenever I ask for the raise I haven't gotten in two years.  

I've allowed 2 votes so that everyone may vote for boobies, as they rightfully should.

[lethe]

I'm the wrong person to ask as I have a 5+ hour a day commute as my questionable solution.
So I only voted boobies as they can make any town tolerable.

[sbrguy]

you are going to work a long time in your lifetime at a "job"

you have to figure out what it is that you want to do.  location is important, but i would go for the job first and then put location second.  unless of course the location is literaly unbearable then location may take precedent.

[ducpainter]

seems like it comes down to money...

like every other decision.

Or...

you could decide to be happy...

it's a concept.

[Blackout]

I lived in LA for 20+ years. Yes, it sucks (as far as a place to live) but there are pockets in LA that are nice. I say look around for a better place to live near LA and do what you like doing. SF is a fantastic town but very expensive.


Booobies...

[superjohn]

I say give it a shot and enjoy SF and the video game industry until you get bored and move back. Chances are, you'll find other interests in a place you love to occupy your time if your job becomes unsatisfying. After all, you spend more time away from work than at it.

[IZ]

Frisco!!   

[Speedbag]

I have a 5+ hour a day commute

Jeebus.....

[He Man]

job or career?

Career trumps location IMHO. But if you abslutely hate where you live, you need to find a way to like it, or move.

[DesmoDiva]

IMO, location is more important. 

Work is anywhere, if you look hard enough.

[djrashonal]

do you enjoy going to work everyday most days? (despite living in LA) thats the big question. You spend most of your time at work, so if you enjoy what you're doing and feel happy and rewarded while doing it then the things around you tend to work themselves out. If you dislike what you do, it shapes your attitude in a negative manner. With that said, if you move to SF and dislike you work, you may end up disliking your situation overall, but if you stay in LA doing something you love, then you may be have a better shot at loving (or at least putting up with) LA

[triangleforge]

I fell in love with a woman most of the way across the country and pissed away a pretty decent 20 year career in DC to move to a little mountain town in Arizona, working part time and earning about a third what I did before. Then I had my resolve tested when a dream job in DC called me up and was pushing me to move back at about 150% what I'd been making. I said no without even really thinking about it. I have zero regrets, still manage to own two Ducatis (though some months are a stretch) and couldn't be happier.

YMMV.

[SacDuc]

I fell in love with a woman most of the way across the country and pissed away a pretty decent 20 year career in DC to move to a little mountain town in Arizona, working part time and earning about a third what I did before. Then I had my resolve tested when a dream job in DC called me up and was pushing me to move back at about 150% what I'd been making. I said no without even really thinking about it. I have zero regrets, still manage to own two Ducatis (though some months are a stretch) and couldn't be happier.

YMMV.

This is a wise man. Move to San Fran. Its a great city. Change is good. You will not be at that (or any) job permanently. Who knows what opportunities will come your way in SF. Certainly good roads to ride and a lot of Ducati enthusiasts will come your way. Crowbar (of the former DML) does movie stuff in LA and SF. He could probably introduce you to some people.

Don't stay stagnant. Be where you want to be and work your ass off to make it good for you.

Good luck.

sac



/LA sucks balls

[djrashonal]

I fell in love with a woman most of the way across the country and pissed away a pretty decent 20 year career in DC to move to a little mountain town in Arizona, working part time and earning about a third what I did before. Then I had my resolve tested when a dream job in DC called me up and was pushing me to move back at about 150% what I'd been making. I said no without even really thinking about it. I have zero regrets, still manage to own two Ducatis (though some months are a stretch) and couldn't be happier.

YMMV.

thats funny, because I just moved to Az from DC and am working part time making 1/3 of what I used to make. I love my soon to be wife and she bought me my Duc   

Priorities:
Family happiness
Self Happiness
Work happiness

The rest will fall into place!

[Duck-Stew]

Sage advice I once got:

Work where you have to work, but live where you want to live.