Tell me what you think........ I live in CO and have recovered from a 5 week stay in the hospital in October. I have the opportunity to go to CA for a job that pays $60k/yr. They are going to fly me out to check out the position and meet the managers. Here is my dilemma: I am 60 years old, 5 years from retirement and don't know that I won't have the same health problems out there. My doctors say that I am fine. And that there is no way to tell if I will ever go through the same thing again or not....SHOULD I GO?

Absolutely and good luck!

Where in California? There are a lot of excellent hospitals and doctors near certain cities. And, you can always turn down an offer if one is made. But not if you don't at least check it out first. And if you stay where you are, and have a reoccurence of the health problem, how will it be different than being employed in California?

San Mateo I have a place to stay with an old high school friend and will pay $550/mo

San Mateo is $ but, I think you should go 4 it! I still think you should go and I think its pretty cool that they're going to fly you out for the interview. ...so '80s! LOL! For some reason, I pictured that you'd be going more towards southern Cal. I'm not sure but, I think its cheaper the further south you go (?). I could be dead wrong on this, mind you. LOL! That's not a terrific income for the Bay Area but, LOL, its AN income! LOL! The next battle to be waged is - prices need to come down. Don't know if that's possy but, I hope so! Believe it or not, I've seen apartment rental prices decrease in some cities. Like, an average decrease! I think the whole enchillada sounds like a total blast. Fly out, see an old friend, discover a new place and new job! Do it! How exciting! When are you going, Harpo? Oh, I'm assuming its in technology --- is it?

good karma your way I haven't seen a post this enthusiastic in quite awhile! <<<<>>>>

Thank you - that was very nice! Backatcha!

FD you are correct that it is not great money in San Mateo. But OP stated he would share a place with buddy and pay $550 month which is excellent rent for that area. If virtually no other bills then he could end up doing alright.

I say at least go and check it out - it certainly can't hurt. And believe me if you don't you will always be sorry. $550 is very good rent for that area and it would seem that it would help both you and your friend out - at least until you can get on your feet. As someone else already stated San Mateo is very close to Stanford but also very close to some other very good hospitals and doctors in SF. Much of course depends upon your medical problem as to where you would want to go. As far as whether or not the medical issue will come up again - well it it is going to happen it will happen and it won't care where you are.

I think harpo spelled backwards is oprah.

Not Oprah

Do you have problem with smog? That's the only thing I could think of. California has more smog is , I'm guessing, drier than CO. What is your health problem?

I've had 4 operations Just get on your horse and ride my friend ;-)

4! That's a lot of operations! Wow, Nightship; you look and sound in tip-top shape! LOL! 4 operations! Dang! Were you a daredevil or something? I have a friend who seems to always be either riding his motorcycle or in the hospital because of riding his motorcycle! BTW - you never told me how you learned how to be a solar panel :0( I wanna be one!

you don't say if you already have a job in CO... or did you lose the job due to the health issue. If you're unemployed, not is lost by at least investigating the opportunity.....either place you could have the same problem again....I guess the consideration has to be what if it happens again in CA, due you have family there, if you take the job offer and 6 months from now the same thing happens, I would be surprised if you still have a job after 5 weeks recovery.....what happens then, do you have a support structure out there?

I am currently unemployed and collecting unemployment. I work in telecommunications

as I said....... nothing is lost by checking it out........then it comes down to do you have a support system out in CA if something happens again....... None of us have any guarantees, back in 2000 I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, I've had 2 surgeries, gamma knife and have to take a monthly shot ($3200) to control the resulting condition....most days I'm good for about 4 hours, then the muscle fatigue gets the best of me....up until 2000 I was the picture of health. I say at the least you should check out the job offer, then go with your gut feelings.

Not alot to live on How the heck does anyone live on 60K in Cali? Are you single or do you have a family to support as well. I hope you are getting some good bennies in the package. Good luck with your decision

$60K/Year is decent in CA I WAS making $68K on my last contract gig and did very well.

Go for it! San Mateo is expensive just like the rest of the bay area. If you're going to make $60K/year, you're ahead of the game. Also, paying $550/month is nothing. If you have no bills, you're in great shape. If your insurance is good, you will have no problems with health care. Congrats!

Get a roomate.Half the bills...

Question for Harpo... Where exactly is the job? Like in what city? You said you would be sharing an apt with a friend in San Mateo but is the job also in San Mateo? Just wondering as there might be commute expense which is - of course - going up and something to consider. However if job is in SF and you have to commute there the company has to pay a certain percentage (or is it all??) of your commute expenses. But if it is another city you will have commute expense. And depending upon where it is that commute can be horrible - especially if not used to it. Just something to consider. also need to consider what benefits they offer. If medical is good it would certainly be worth looking at. Take a good look at what options you have for medical benefits though as that is going to come into play at your age (hey I can say that - I'm pushing...well you know). (there is one out here loy that personally I would stay away from though I know many others really like it) Don't know what other expenses you have but if you don't have many and will really be sharing the apartment I'm presuming you would also be sharing other living expenses (utility, etc). If that is the case then the $60,000 could be pretty good for you. But as someone else mentioned - do you have any sort of support system there? Family? Other friends? Will you be leaving family behind in CO? How will you feel about that? Those are also things to consider when you move out of state. Especially if you do have health problems.

The job is in San Mateo and I would be staying in Sunnyvale. A niece lives in Boulder but I rarely see her. My friends here are awesome. I went to high school in Sunnyvale and have a half sister in Santa Cruz...I am friends with people from my high school. When it really comes down to it, I am single and it all falls on me in the end. But it will be hard uprooting myself.

Ok so you will need transportation... I'm presuming you have a decent car. Commute time will most likely be around 40-45 minutes unless you are going at odd hours. It is difficult to uproot oneself. I did it several years ago to actually be with family. But after two years returned back to CA. Many things about it that I missed - though many things about CA I don't like! So it sounds as though you might have a good support system here which is always good. You already have some friends here and you will certianly make new ones as time passes. I'm also presuming that you have been looking for work in CO and can't find anything. So really I would suggest you at least come out and take a look at the job - benefits - and everything else that is important to you. At that point you can make the decision to take it or not. But in my opinion it sounds like it might be a pretty good deal. Good luck to you!