Job options - Help with this decision

[cbr shadow]

My wife and I moved to the SF Bay Area about 9 months ago for her job, while I worked remotely.  Her salary is many multiples of mine, so it made sense to move here for her job even though it's very HCOL.

My job at the time paid $59k / yr.
I ended up finding a new job that pays me $82k/yr. that I currently work at.  The job is relatively interesting/challenging and pays well, but I have a bad commute.  The commute requires I drive 60-70 minutes in each direction.  I work for a company that has me on a project at a major tech company.  The tech company gives me all of my meals, snacks, and some other pretty nice benefits, which is nice.  The commute is the major downside here though.

A coworker recently left my company for a job at a University Project Management job and has referred me to the director of her department for another Project Management position.  This job is something I'm qualified to do (or could learn quickly) and would be reasonably interesting, but pays less ($70k starting).  A major upside is that there is a pension I could be involved in that is attractive.  The biggest upside to this job is that it's 2 miles from my house, so is bike friendly and even walkable in a pinch.

Assuming I get an offer for this job, should I take it?  Would you?

My wife's job is super secure and we love the area, so we want to stay here for a while.

[marielle]

I would've accepted that offer as soon as they called about it! 2 miles, that is a dream.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/

[Chris22]

60-70 min commute sucks, but presumably you're going to spend ~40hrs/wk at this job, too, so make sure it doesn't suck.

All else being equal, it's a no brainer, but just make sure you don't trade 2 shitty hours a day for 8.

[Mezzie]

I would take it without hesitation. I have an extreme hatred of driving, though.

[Tiger Stache]

A pension and its two miles away? Why are you asking the Internet? Is there something else?

[AZDude]

Unless you really, really, really need that extra $12k a year, I would take it.

[JLee]

$1k/mo after federal and California taxes is what, $650?

[cbr shadow]

Alright well that makes it easy, but assumes I'll get paid at the top end of the starting salary.  Now assuming I get paid at the low end of the starting salary ($56k/yr) does this change your mind?  That's a $26k lower salary.
Still take the university PM job?

[AZDude]

What is your financial situation like? If it barely makes a dent in your lifestyle, then go for it. If you are back to eating ramen and saving < 10% of your income, then don't do it.

[cbr shadow]

What is your financial situation like? If it barely makes a dent in your lifestyle, then go for it. If you are back to eating ramen and saving < 10% of your income, then don't do it.

We currently save about 35% of our income.  We wouldn't be on Ramen, but we'd likely save less than we do now if I made $26k less

[JLee]

Alright well that makes it easy, but assumes I'll get paid at the top end of the starting salary.  Now assuming I get paid at the low end of the starting salary ($56k/yr) does this change your mind?  That's a $26k lower salary.
Still take the university PM job?

I was going off of this:

"This job is something I'm qualified to do (or could learn quickly) and would be reasonably interesting, but pays less ($70k starting)."

$82k to $70k is one thing, but $56k?   If you factor an added 9 hours a week in commuting (at 50 weeks/year- the real number is likely less after vacation time and holidays), that's 450 commuting hours for $26k, or $57.78/hour -- plus the benefits you have at your current employer.  How much money are the perks (free food, etc) saving you?

[Aggie1999]

What are the "other pretty nice benefits" that you get at your current job that you would not be getting at your new job? How does the pension counter balance that and the lower salary at your new job? You basically gotta put numbers to everything to see how much lower the new job would be and how much the difference is worth it to you personally for the shorter commute. Get the the new job to make an offer and then decide. You don't have to accept the offer.

[cbr shadow]

What are the "other pretty nice benefits" that you get at your current job that you would not be getting at your new job? How does the pension counter balance that and the lower salary at your new job? You basically gotta put numbers to everything to see how much lower the new job would be and how much the difference is worth it to you personally for the shorter commute. Get the the new job to make an offer and then decide. You don't have to accept the offer.

Good points.
The current job's "other benefits" are having a bike shop on campus where I get free labor and some other small things that don't add up to a huge amount of $$$, but are nice to have.  I'd gladly trade those for a nice short commute though.

Another thing worth mentioning is that my current job is 9-5 (plus 60 min commute each direction, never overtime), and the new job would be 8-5 (short commute, never overtime).

[kissthesky]

I'm also in the Bay Area and have turned down many jobs that would mean a longer commute even if they pay a lot more. It's just not worth it. I say take the job! You will love your commute, have so much more free time, and be much happier. With your extra time you could even side-gig to make up the income difference. Anything is better than commuting. Good luck!

[koshtra]

A couple further considerations: as someone who worked through a couple tech booms & busts -- nice perks tend to go away as a company matures. And traffic always tends to get worse.