<p>Let’s see… I know a lot of people who have changed jobs in their late 40s to early 60s. In every case, though, they have carried over health insurance benefits, perhaps a pension, and then used it to start a whole new career. My dog agility trainer is 62; she started the business at 58 and now works three days a week as a trainer. She is a retired teacher.</p>
<p>My husband started our bike biz at age 47; it’s an internet business. We live quite comfortably on it now, but he didn’t take a paycheck for two years while he was building it from one employee and himself to 20 employees. We were fortunate to have resources from his previous job. (Oh, and we hired a 60 year old to work for us in a slot that needed experience. His health insurance cost 3x everyone else’s. Oh well. His experience should have more than covered that… unfortunately he wasn’t up to the job and we had to lay him off. Some 60 year olds didn’t learn a lot.)</p>
<p>So my questions would be: do you have resources? are you a risk taker? is there something you’ve always wanted to do? can you find a job locally, without moving? can you do a commuter relocate, where you live in two places at once? are you willing to downsize your current situation and retire early? can you negotiate a heckuva retirement settlement with the argument that it is age discrimination if they fire you for not being willing to relocate?</p>
<p>I think it is very difficult to find a new position, although as others have noted, not impossible. I know relatives and friends who thought that they would start a law practice or some consulting business when they got the (even worse) “early retirement package” that was an offer not to be refused. None of them really did get anything going. </p>
<p>Since some industries are in the declining end of the economy, you would need to look in those that are in the upswing (no matter how bad any economy is someone always profits). I worked with someone whose H did not take a relocation package in just your area. He was in his 30’s or maybe 40. It took a good six months to get a position, which still required relocation, although it was closer. He went from a bank to a cable company.</p>
<p>VeryHappy, I just wouldn’t do it. I just wouldn’t. Atlanta is a wonderful city and the people are very pleasant and kind, but, I wouldn’t relocate there just for a job, unless I was mid-career and it was a very necessary step in the structure of my career, and I couldn’t get the necessary experience anywhere else. Oh, and, I would have to absolutely LOVE my job, too. </p>
<p>You know what you might do, and it might even be fun - I have done this and it really brings up perspective and lets you really see a market for what it is - go to monster.com, and the other major sites, and do some searches for jobs in your field, not only in Altanta but also in other major cities. That might help to get a perception of what else is out there…I’ve even looked in foreign countries, just for fun…</p>
<p>^^ I disagree. I would go and make the most of it. A job is important and Atlanta is wonderful with good air transportation to wherever else you need to go. Keep the job. I relocated 2 years ago and my husband and I are loving our new city. He had never lived anywhere but Dallas except for college/grad school, but we both are grateful for the opportunity we got.</p>
<p>It is tough finding a job as we have more experience & a terrific resume, especially in a challenging economy. Both I and a friend found new jobs at age 50. It was challenging, but both of us are happy in our new roles. Hubby has been with the same employer for decades, so I had the financial security to be able to follow my dreams and take a token salary with no benefits.
If the plan was to retire at around 65, and the current employer is one that worked out well for you, I would probably strongly thing about relocating for the next 5 years & then moving back after retiring. As was said, it’s much easier to keep a job you love than trying to find another at this phase. If the move becomes too much, as was pointed out, you could always quit at the point & look for another, knowing you gave it your best shot.</p>
<p>I think it all hinges on the question of what would happen if you didn’t get another job. If you didn’t, and it was a financial catastrophe, then you should go. If you could find a way to deal with it, then you have more options.</p>
<p>The idea of maintaining two residences until you’re sure that the move has “taken” is a good one.</p>
<p>MOWC, my point being, the choice isn’t really between two cities; it’s really between about 100 cities. In other words, if you’re going to consider Atlanta, since change is on the table, why not also consider SFO, Houston, Miami, Denver, St.Louis, Chicago, etc.</p>
<p>I get that the issue is that she already has a job guaranteed in Atlanta, however, the reality of relocations is that the company tends to change significantly in terms of its culture - it usually turns out to be just like starting a brand new job.</p>
<p>All your thoughts are very very helpful to me. DH and I are going for what the real estate agent calls a “look-see” this Friday. I assume we’ll have more insight after we do that. At this point, we continue to flip flop every single day.</p>