Should I move? Help!
Hi folks! Trying to get some opinions because I have never been more stuck on a decision in my life. I’m 24F BTW.
I am an RC at a great institution. People that live here are always clamoring to get work here. The job isn’t exactly my field of interest but it’s related and my colleagues have connections to people that I do wanna work with. My plan was to work here for another year (2 total) and apply for my PhD this cycle. I’ve gotten good feedback from admissions at this school so I have a shot at getting in, but obviously it’s not guaranteed. I struggle with my boss currently (she’s very busy with other stuff and definitely has me doing more admin work than I had anticipated, which does bother me). She doesn’t really care that I’m applying for a PhD and isn’t making any effort to support it. I love my friends here and I got a boyfriend who I really love, so moving would be hard. I just moved here less than a year ago and I don’t know if I’m ready to go.
An old colleague from grad school (MPH) approached me with a job offer in my home state (halfway across the country). The pay is better (12k better) but it’s not good for the area and I’d probably live in a shitty apartment. The research is more aligned with my interests. My potential boss wants to introduce me to people in our field as well. Moving would be a nightmare and I’d lose all that I’ve built in my first year out of grad school. I also think if I quit then I’m definitely not going to get into the PhD program here.
Any advice on what to do would be great. If I do take the new job I’d move in 2.5 months.