I’m a 40-year-old father of three and have been married for 17 years. I work in Commercial HVAC Pre-Construction/Estimating. After getting laid off in March, I spent two months stressed out trying to find a role that hits the $100k+ mark I need to support my family.
The issue is my location. We live in a small town to give our kids a better life, but all the mid-to-large companies that pay well are 40–50 miles away. I’m currently stuck in a brutal 1.5–2 hour daily commute in a 25-year-old truck that gets 12mpg. Between the traffic and the $185/week gas bill, I’m wearing thin.
The Dilemma:
I’ve been at my current company for three weeks. I actually love the culture and my boss, but the drive is unsustainable. Tomorrow, I have an interview for a hybrid position that was a referral from a former colleague.
If the pay and benefits are equal, should I make the jump this early? Is it worth "burning a bridge" at a place I actually like to save my sanity (and my wallet)?
Also, I'm looking for a reliable, high-MPG commuter car to replace the truck—any suggestions for an older, low-mileage daily driver?