I think I'm mostly posting this since typing it out will help me get my thoughts in order, but I am interested in everyone's opinions.
Here's the deal. I'd estimate we are about 4.5 years from FIRE at our current rate. I have a well-paying, stable government job with crazy good benefits. I also dislike it immensely. Hubby has been grossly underemployed for the past ~2 years, and not doing much with his downtime. He's had a small contract this year which has worked out to only a few hours here and there, and will probably gross just 10k for the year (which doesn't leave a lot after self-employment taxes). That contract is just about over.
He's been half-heartedly looking for a local job but hasn't had any luck. His current contract and last 7-8 years of experience have all been with a very specific enterprise software package that just doesn't seem to be used in our area. So his choices are get a job doing something else or go somewhere they use this software (no one seems to be looking for a remote employee). Most of the "something else" tech jobs he's looked at he really doesn't have the skills for. I've been encouraging him to apply for low to mid level computer support jobs that aren't glamorous but he should be qualified for, especially local government jobs because they have good pay and benefits, but so far he hasn't had any calls on those. I've told him that I don't care what he does or how much he makes, but he really needs to get out and do SOMETHING - even a retail job. Not just for the money but I think it is a bit of a morale issue for him not to be contributing to our household. I will also admit I feel some resentment when I work full-time at a job I dislike, and come home and he's taking a nap or playing Candy Crush etc. I'm not sure how much of his problem is just lack of motivation and fear of rejection. If I send him a specific job listing he will apply for it, but AFAIK he hasn't really done much looking on his own.
He's had a few headhunters contact him for jobs around the country in his specific software program. It doesn't make any sense for me to give up my secure, well-paying job this close to FIRE, so at first we just flat out didn't consider any of these jobs. But after 2 years, having him take a job out of state while I stay here is starting to sound like a decent idea. If he makes about what I do, which should be pretty doable, and he can save 50% after his living expenses, it will cut our time to FIRE nearly in half.
Today he had a phone interview for a job in Connecticut - we currently live in San Diego. Obviously there's a lot that would have to happen if he were to take the job, but the biggest issue is just being apart so much. We're pretty independent, so I think we'd handle it better than most couples, but it would still suck.
We get by just fine on my income alone, house is payed off, our savings rate is just under 50%. But halving our time to FIRE is pretty huge. I also figure even if he just worked for like 6 months and we hated it, he could quit and come back, and we'd be at least that much closer to the end.
No kids, just 2 dogs, who would admittedly miss hubby being home all day. The second biggest concern for me is having to manage the dogs by myself, making sure they get out for regular exercise even after a long day of work and soul-crushing commute.
So anyway, just curious what everyone else thinks... would you do it?