Mustache community, I'm faced with a life-changing decision and I'd appreciate your input.
The scenario:
I've lived overseas for a while in a job I really dislike. I dislike the managers, my co-workers are nice but I'm not social with them (they have families, I'm a single guy). So I'm pretty isolated and this will likely continue for the next 2-3 years. Benefits are free housing while I'm overseas, bonus pay (~$400 a month) and the ability to retire ten years earlier which is obviously a huge deal.
Recently a major medical issue has brought me back to the States and I have the opportunity to choose to return or stay. Benefits of staying would be to have a social network again, to live in a clean, safe environment and to return to "normal", all good things for the mental health and spirit (IMO). Drawbacks are I'm renting my low mortgage condo out, so I'd have to get an apartment at greater expense (~$1800) in this high cost area but I could then avoid having a car and use mass transit instead.
The logical, non-emotional decision is to go back, swallow the bitter pill and deal with life for the next 2-3 years. Get over the downsides of isolation, hating my 40-60 hour work week, etc. so I can retire earlier than later (if I can stick with the job long enough to retire). Returning to the job over there is the best financial decision.
The other side of the argument is life is short, live in a place where there are friends and family, live as low cost as I can, etc., because staying in the States would likely be the best mental/emotional decision.
I don't want to regret losing my early retirement option but I don't want to be in an unhappy situation for 2-3 years of my life either.
Welcome your thoughts and questions, this is a huge life-changing decision for me.
Thanks,
Mac