I was offered an amazing opportunity in a smaller city in the Midwest that would open many doors for me down the road. However, I feel like it would be detrimental to my social life and dating life, even for just a year. The alternative would be to pack up my things and quit my current job and move to the west coast and network, since that’s where I want to end up anyways. I have multiple licenses. Thoughts?

You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by quality of life in the MW city

Based on your responses here, it sounds like you already know what you want to do. OK to go with your gut on choices like these. That said, don’t quit your job without something lined up! Sounds like it is time to start interviewing with west coast offices to find something that will also be a good career fit for you. For what it’s worth, geography is incredibly important for me and I also knew I wanted to end up on the west coast/Bay Area (not just dating but also food, art, music, walkability, and diversity were things I wanted in terms of finding a place to put down roots). Of course it’s not horrible to prioritize things you want out of life over work. There will be times when you prioritize work over those things too, but this just might not be one of them.

Congratulations! If I’m being optimistic, you could find a loving Midwestern man. You never know! 💜 Roll the dice!

I did a year in a small city in West Virginia and it was a great career move / decision despite spending every night watching tv by myself lol

If it’s only a year position and it could open doors down the road, I would take it. The smaller communities sometimes offer a more active bar. But having moved to middle of Illinois and Mississippi at various points in my career for short terms, I’ve found that you can build a community anywhere and take those relationships and experiences with you.

As someone who made the move from the Midwest to the west coast last year, I am biased. I found that loving Midwestern man and he derailed my departure for the coast by 16 years. Now he's slowly realizing we should have moved here long ago. Hard to take a Midwesterner out of the Midwest. Don't be me!