NSS: New Job

[LegendKiller]

Looks like I am going to be moving to the DC area. A huge company in my work area offered me a package that is huge. I gave my notice today with a Feb 21 start date at the new place.

My boss took it pretty hard. He has molded me for two years and I have made him look really good. My other boss also took it hard. However, they both recognize it was going to happen eventually and are happy that I got a very good offer. Now, for the next 3 weeks I need to KATN to make sure they are covered.

How's an early March GotApex NoVA meet sound?

[MikeD]

Where ya gonna be working? Downtown?

[LegendKiller]

McLean. We are thinking about living in the Reston area. However, a friend from highschool is suggesting falls church. We are concerned about rent costs, want to keep it below 2k if possible.

[MikeD]

Heh, we're going to be working about 7 miles apart. If you live in Reston, we'll live about 5 miles apart.

I'd prefer Reston to Falls Church, but only because it's more of the 'burbs. If you want to be closer to the city, Falls Church is probably for you. Cost? Will probably be about the same...

[LegendKiller]

We don't have to have the city life. I am not much of a clubber/drinker, which is one reason why we were thinking Reston area.

[mcs328]

I work in Reston a few days a week. I hate the tolls because of my commute. You should be able to find plenty of places to rent for 2k a month. You could even buy a condo for that much. Reston has a lot of condo developments and conversions going on. I prefer Reston over Falls Church myself. Don't worry about the clubbing because there is none in Reston...you would need to go to DC for that.

[kimchicowboy]

awesome!

im hoping to get a new job too. i have an interview tomorrow morning. eek.

[speedracer120]

Congrats man. I hope you get all that you were looking for in the new job.

[Kevster]

Congrats LK!

I also am looking to make a move - I have a big interview next week and another a couple days later with another large company. After my deplorable 1% raise (that was pretty much across the board with everyone), I and my coworkers have had enough.

[LegendKiller]

It was a tough decision for me. On one hand I had an absolutely *awesome* boss who gave me a 27% raise 3 months ago. On the other hand, I am still extremely underpaid (evidenced by the doubling of my salary at the new place), underutilized, and under appreciated by anybody outside our immediate sphere. Being a finance person in the middle of a sales organization is tough. Not to mention the split of CD and the down-right perfect offer I was given.

My boss was mad, disappointed, and sad. He and I share a lot and have a friendship, as do I and everybody else I work directly with. It's hard to leave him since he's so cool. I have said repeatedly they have ruined my for my career since I will never find a reporting structure as smart and nice as them.

It's worse since my wife also works in the same place. Lots of people sad to see her go also. However, we have a bright future and lots of GA friends up there.


One thing made my decision *much* easier. The fact that the polar bear gets to go back north!

[ApltnHkyMutt]

Congrats! :cheers:


Thats great news. I wish you the best of luck with your new job.

[LegendKiller]

Question for those in DC.

Would it make sense to live somewhere in MD on the boarder? I was getting filled in by a friend on all of VA's taxes, the increase over MD is ~4k for my wife and I.

[ShawnLee]

Good news man! Congrats!

[mcs328]

VA I think has personal property tax where Maryland does not. If you are going to work in Reston and commute from Maryland like I do, then be prepared for heavy traffic going to work and home. Also the toll road to Reston(there are backroads) is 75 cents at the main toll and 50 cents on the off ramps. So you can eat through 50 dollars pretty quick a month.

IMO you are more apt to be ticketed in VA versus MD for moving violations.

[LegendKiller]

Did some more research...

VA has the PP tax at 4.4% of vehicle value + 5.75% state income. Is there also a local tax on top of that?

MD has no PP, 4.75 state, but also 1.2-3.2 local tax.

THe MD local tax would end up being higher than the VA PP tax and perhaps higher than the 1% additional state income tax.

If VA doesn't have a local tax other than PP, then MD and VA are the same.


I am working in McLean, thinking about living in Reston.

[kgsilvas]

Congrats on the new job! An added bonus of being "in town" for the next DC G|A event.

[MikeD]

Did some more research...

VA has the PP tax at 4.4% of vehicle value + 5.75% state income. Is there also a local tax on top of that?

MD has no PP, 4.75 state, but also 1.2-3.2 local tax.

THe MD local tax would end up being higher than the VA PP tax and perhaps higher than the 1% additional state income tax.

If VA doesn't have a local tax other than PP, then MD and VA are the same.


I am working in McLean, thinking about living in Reston.

I can't speak for the tax situation but (and no offense to the MD folks), most places in VA are nicer to live in than MD. Yes, there are some nice areas in MD, but you've got to drive a bit to get there.

If you're interested in saving money (i.e., cheaper rent) then I would look at MD. If you're looking for a better place to live, I'd look in VA.

[mcs328]

MD has more of a night life but you run a higher risk of getting shot, robbed or 'insert mild to violent crime here' than in VA depending on the parts of MD you go. The closer you are to DC the more likely you'll be a victim of some crime.

MD has local tax but depends on where you live. At one point I was paying county tax and probably still do but also the city you live in which doesn't apply to me thankfully.

If you have family I would look at VA.

[LegendKiller]

No family right now. I just don't want to get overly screwed by taxes, have an uber-long commute, or have to pay a ton for a place to live. In other words, I want a cardboard box under an overpass right next to McLean, where I can walk and avoid the Personal Property tax.

However, my wife won't let me have that...

[renovation]

congrats legendkiller :)