If I just up and quit.....

[Vegas69]

Current employment gives you leverage.

[Shmoov69]

STAY!!! Get another hobby if you're that bored! Seriously, if you got a "good paying" gig, you're better off than 75% of America, not to mention 99% of the world! Keep your eyes open and something will come up. What you're "going thru" now is preparing you for something in the future that needs perseverance.
Just my .02

[WSSix]

You're right about the perseverance part, Jimmy. I left Grand Junction, CO two years ago now. I've been wanting to leave Pampa, TX and now Liberal, KS since I got here from CO. I told myself it's only temporary and I'll get back to Colorado soon enough. While I've only been actively looking for a new job for the last few months, I feel like I've already had two years of putting my life on hold. Colorado was were I wanted to be. I didn't leave Georgia because I was unhappy. I just wanted to try out Colorado for a few years. I only got four months there and now I feel like I need to return home and settle down already. I'd try to go back to Colorado but I'd feel like I wasn't being honest with any future employer since I know before I even had the new job that I'd be leaving again in a year or two. Maybe I shouldn't be so nice and just use them as they'll use me

[Bryan O]

I don't agree at all with the "stay" posters.

Life's short. Too short to compromise your heart. Too short to work a job just for money. Quit! Go back to Georgia right away! That's where your heart is.

I've left many jobs without another lined up. Always landed on my feet. I am submitting my two weeks notice this Monday. So, I'm not talking out the side of my neck here. Also, I've got a lot more than a cat to look after. However, I'll have no bills except food, utilities, gas and healthcare. And healthcare is free now. So, I've got a lot of flexibility in my situation.

Sounds like you have "no strings attached" and are relatively flexible, too. Go for it. "Follow your bliss" as Joesph Campbell says.

I don't understand people who let money dictate their lives. I never chased money and I have been blessed with much of it. Totally foreign to me to chase a buck doing something I don't love to do.

I love the "animating contest of freedom". Fear sucks.

Can't wait for the next chapter..

[WSSix]

I feel much the same way, Bryan. However, I don't like making emotional decisions. For the most part, I enjoy what I do a great deal. Ultimately though, I have no future with this company. They don't have camps in the SE mountain region of the country.

For what it's worth, I have a mech engineering degree and I'm a registered Engineer-in-training. That means I'm part way to getting my Professional Engineer license. Honestly not even sure I'd want to go that far but being an EIT is something a lot of degreed engineers don't even accomplish. I'd like to think I'll always be in demand given my degree and life experiences. This economy is a different kind of beast though.

[Sieg]

FWIW - October 25th I left my job after 35 years 364 days. The last ten years (2nd gen family business) was destroying me and my family..........not sure what I'm going to do but the peace of mind and actually being able to enjoy time with my wife, kids 11 & 13, and dogs has been priceless.

Financially if you can afford a few months...........money can't by you time on your death bed but it can when your healthy. You're a good guy with a desirable degree, you'll find work.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by XLexusTech

I hire allot of people... It's always better to get a job while you have one...
I always (even if unfounded) consider an employed candidate more attractive then a on paper equal unemployed candidate..

It may be psychological but somewhere in your head you think the employed person is a better get...

I would (no offense intended) question the decision making / critical thinking of a candidate that quit a job without a new one lined up...

Good luck with you employment.. keep your options open and your decisions sound and you will be better off in the long run..

I hire A LOT of people too.

I agree with you for the most part about conventional wisdom and what the masses think, but regarding your statement above (bolded) I look at it in a different light... I ask myself "does he have a high earning spouse that allows this?" .... "did he inherit money from his parents or a relative?" ..... "did he make a killing in the dot com or another venture?" .......

I for one left a job 7 years ago without a new one lined up. I had the ability and finances to be able to. I wanted to do it and thankfully I was able to leave on MY terms. If one can afford to do that, it is quite liberating.

And I was hired/recruited 2 months later.... way earlier than I had planned on returning to the job market. Oh well. Something to think about.

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Current employment gives you leverage.

Unfortunately, in most of the real world, this is fact.

Originally Posted by The Patch

I don't agree at all with the "stay" posters.

Life's short. Too short to compromise your heart. Too short to work a job just for money. Quit! Go back to Georgia right away! That's where your heart is.

I've left many jobs without another lined up. Always landed on my feet. I am submitting my two weeks notice this Monday. So, I'm not talking out the side of my neck here. Also, I've got a lot more than a cat to look after. However, I'll have no bills except food, utilities, gas and healthcare. And healthcare is free now. So, I've got a lot of flexibility in my situation.

Sounds like you have "no strings attached" and are relatively flexible, too. Go for it. "Follow your bliss" as Joesph Campbell says.

I don't understand people who let money dictate their lives. I never chased money and I have been blessed with much of it. Totally foreign to me to chase a buck doing something I don't love to do.

I love the "animating contest of freedom". Fear sucks.

Can't wait for the next chapter..

I like your style.

[Spiffav8]

Try to think of all the unknowns before you make a decision.

It may not be the simple fact that you're not in Georgia that's keeping you from finding a new job.

How long could you really go without work? Regardless, doing so would set you back and probably put a dent the savings for the new house.

Would an interviewer see you as someone that just bails when things aren't to your liking. Would he/she see you as the smart type of person they want to hire?

I'd love to just quit my job and be home more often. Doing so would hurt me and my family a great deal. I was on the street for nearly a year after the carrier I flew for went under. It sucked on so many levels. While I don't think you should 'chase the money' you shouldn't ignore it either. Life is all about balance. If you don't make enough you won't be happy. If you work to much to get what you need, you won't be happy.

My suggestion....take that free time and do all you can to find a job that gives you what you want and need. Sure it might take a little time, but sometimes we have to suffer through some sucky times so we can enjoy the good ones.

It will work out. Hang in there.