I’m a 3rd-year Associate in Springfield, MA making $105k. Is it worth moving to Boston for $190k? I have a solid life here and I can actually afford a house with a yard. But every time I see the Big Law salaries in the city, I feel like I’m being lazy by staying in a smaller market. Is the extra $85k worth the three-hour daily commute on the Pike and the 2,200 billable hour requirement?

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I would avoid a 3 hr commute at almost any cost. That is such a large chunk of your day. Would it be via public transit (so you can work/sleep)?

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I think I’ve posted this before. The easiest response here is to just find a job in Hartford. It’ll pay better than a small shop in Springfield but you’ll still be able to live there.

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My first thought is that it depends on your lifestyle and your own tastes. The commuting will get old fast, so you'll wind up moving to Boston. If you consider yourself a city person, and you're into all the cultural opportunities, it might make sense. If you'd rather be closer to the mountains, you're better off in your present situation. If you were passionate about the work you wouldn't be asking the question, so consider the impact on your life.

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Do you have an offer?

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No.

For biglaw, sure. But not for this.

5 days in office? Would consider it for 3 days in and a commute in which you can sleep or work

$190k won’t do much for you and isn’t worth the commute and billable requirement. I live in Boston area and left my old firm at $175k for market paying biglaw and now I make over $500k so it was definitely worth it. Anything short of that (which is typically very short of it) is not worth it.

I grew up in MA and lived in Boston for a year while practicing. Driving 6 hours a day is not worth it. Also, if you like Western MA/Springfield and plan on staying, I’d buy a house there. It’s really difficult in Boston area, even my friends bringing in 300k+ are house poor. I made 190k when I lived in Boston and that wouldn’t do it for a 1million house. If you make the move to Boston, you’d need to get into big law. You can also stay in Springfield and look for a remote role that pays more or look at Hartford, that commute might be okay for a hybrid role.

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