Thinking of leaving remote job for office position- what would you do?

[lilsaver]

I have a potential opportunity to take a position with a company/manager that I have worked with before, but it is located in their corporate office which is about 45 minutes from where I live. Pros is that I worked with the same manager and company before, but many years ago (more than 8+, when I started my career). I would be leaving a position where I work from home, but do not feel like there is any growth. Current manager is not great, but the pros are work from home (no gas/no commute/no buying lunch, etc.). Salary is about the same and the area of work is similar. Currently, I'm the sole provider/bread winner, so career growth feels important for future planning. 

[SEdude]

Would your commute be by car or train/bus? Personally I would need a lot more than better career growth opportunities to have to drive 45 mins twice a day.

I know it's easier said than done, but have you tried getting another job that is both better for growth and still remote? (or at least closer to home)

[lilsaver]

The commute is by car (about 25 miles). They are close to a train, so I could take that, but not sure of the schedule yet. I did try and interview elsewhere, received a telecommute offer (one day home) at about 15K less, and felt that wasn't worth the change. We didn't get anywhere on counters.

I think another benefit would be working for someone, I've worked for before. So, I'm coming in as a known quantity. But, I also don't want to underestimate what has changed either with the company - culturally, politically, etc., since it has been many many years. Maybe I'm having a bit of the "grass is greener" mentality.

Would your commute be by car or train/bus? Personally I would need a lot more than better career growth opportunities to have to drive 45 mins twice a day.

I know it's easier said than done, but have you tried getting another job that is both better for growth and still remote? (or at least closer to home)

[WanderLucky]

Can I have your remote job if you leave it? ;) 
Seriously though, I am currently commuting an hour each way by public transit to my job and it is miserable. I really, really want a remote job and am starting to look for one, but am usually so beat by the time I get home after that dreadful commute that I don't put a lot of energy into it right now. So I can't imagine leaving a remote job to go back to an office, but the grass is always greener.
Some questions I would ask myself in your situation: How certain is growth with the new job and is it in an area that you're really interested in? How certain is lack of growth in current job? Can you get career growth in other way right now like freelancing, taking courses, or volunteering?

[MayDay]

I would only do it if I negotiated working from home 2 days a week.

That commute will eat up a lot of time but also money. It's effectively a demotion of the salary is the same.

[moneypitfeeder]

I agree with @MayDay but I'd be looking for at least 3 days at home. If the salary is the same, it really is a cut. Gas, lunches, "work luncheons & celebrations," and clothing expenses all increase. How are you feeling with your current job, i.e., you indicate a lack of growth, but are you happy enough with what you do? Do you feel that the new job would be more rewarding to you personally, and worth the cost of the commute? Will you have any additional expenses like child care if you aren't remote?

[Zette]

Would you be willing to move the family closer to reduce the commute (often there are compelling reasons not to move)?  Have you considered on-site work at another company that is closer?

[lilsaver]

I agree with @MayDay but I'd be looking for at least 3 days at home. If the salary is the same, it really is a cut. Gas, lunches, "work luncheons & celebrations," and clothing expenses all increase. How are you feeling with your current job, i.e., you indicate a lack of growth, but are you happy enough with what you do? Do you feel that the new job would be more rewarding to you personally, and worth the cost of the commute? Will you have any additional expenses like child care if you aren't remote?

Good points, I wasn't considering the luncheons/celebrations. I forgot how much that can add up. The most attractive factor of the move would be to work with someone who was my boss before, so I could benefit from having a mentor and champion to help me grow my career. This is the same person who taught me the trade, so it felt genuine. My current position is run by two levels of managers, who came from really terrible companies, so I don't see either one of them leaving anytime soon. I was inherited into their team (hired under someone else), and I don't see any growth for me there. I don't necessary want to jump ship, but I would like to build a career path for more money in the future. Not sure if these feelings are overshadowing a lot of the practical logistical considerations you are all bringing up. Thanks for helping me think through all the factors.

No kids, so don't have to worry about child care costs.

[lilsaver]

Would you be willing to move the family closer to reduce the commute (often there are compelling reasons not to move)?  Have you considered on-site work at another company that is closer?

It's in a HCOL area (for purchases and rent). I'm also closer to my family and in-laws, which is good for our family weekend potlucks.

[Linea_Norway]

There is no reason you need to be buying lunches on a daily basis if you work in an office.

[Chris Pascale]

What growth potential do you feel there is in the offered position?

Could you make 25%+ more in the next couple years? Would it speed up your FIRE date?

Are you unhappy, and this might bring joy to your life?