take a rare opportunity or wait for the perfect scenario?

i tend to write a lot, but im just worn out on thinking about it…so heres the cliffs notes -not in the side of finance i want to be in but have years of this wrong experience -been trying to transition for 1.5 years and have had no bites -finally get a bite from my target firm in the side of finance i want -money isnt too far off of what im at now however, -the logistics are bad for personal/travel/kid obligations -house is allegedly substantially in the green, but 2 foreclosures on the street so selling will be tough -cant get half the house i have now for the same price in the new location, with virtually no change in pay -feel that there is virtually no chance i will lose my current job, (even in 2008 the position i currently hold experienced not a single layoff, in fact it was in high demand), but the new firm is publicly traded and has laid off different divisions regularly over the last 5 years essentially what i really want may now be here…but making the jump doesnt seem right…anyone been in a similar situation? whatd you do?

I wouldn’t say wait for the perfect situation, because that almost never materializes. I will tell you to not change when the odds are stacked against you and you mentioned some very real concerns (the house related ones and job safety namely) I wouldn’t do it, not to make the same money and potentially take a step down in quality of life (housing and life logistics). If you didn’t have the family/house issues, I’d likely say go for it.

Don’t wait for the perfect situation but that sounds like a lot to sacrifice. Based on the information you provided, I would pass. There’s no guarantee the new role will be what you are envisioning (in fact, this stuff is 50/50 at best) and it’s actually a step down paywise given the higher cost of living in the new location. You may also get hit pretty hard selling your house in a hurry.