<prompt> Human: I recently took a big promotion within my company that required I relocate from the north east to the Midwest, effectively New England to Chicago. Im an engineer in the power industry. Previously I was working as a project engineer, and my new position is engineering director. Additionally, the new position allows me to spend a lot of time working on highly technical, advanced engineering work in the field of fluid mechanics I did a masters thesis in this field. Its not common to find work that allows one to practice engineering at this level; so much of industrial engineering is very basic, 1st or 2nd year concepts.I received a 20 salary increase from 70k to 84k per year, and my bonus rate doubled approximately 2k, but heavily dependent on company performance. The increase in pay, adjusted for cost of living, is much greater than 20. For example, in my old neighborhood, a house might cost 500,000, a 2 bedroom condo 350,000. In my new location, the same house might cost 100,000.Originally, I made a two year plan with my wife; she would quit her job and move with me for two years. After two years, we would reevaluate our situation, most likely moving back to New England. We were living in her home city, but I am originally from the D.C. area and have no attachments to New England. Weve been in the new location near Chicago for about 10 months now, and she decided she doesnt want to live here anymore. Her old job is there for her, and shes returning to the east coast. Shed like us to have a long distance relationship for the next 14 months, after which I will return to the east coast.Financially, this move was never a winner my wife would not be able to make the same money 63k in Chicago that she did in New England. The purpose of the move was for me to gain excellent experience and build my resume. But now, with a long distance relationship and maintaining two homes, this is financially a problem. Were renting in two locations, spending about 30k per year, including utilities, etc. One of us is flying once a month to visit the other, costing about 10k per year.Professionally, my relationship with my company would be damaged if I left my current job. It is difficult to find people with the proper qualifications, and I would certainly leave them in a bad position. It took about 4 months for me to get fully up to speed at the new facility meeting people, learning the product, the new systems, etc. The company would be at least six months finding a replacement. Im not a confident job searcher; Ive always hated it. Plus, my resume looks questionable with only 10 months experience in my current position; potential employers may assume I couldnt perform and am looking for a way out. I could probably find work at my old company as I left on good terms with the local management, but corporate management certainly would not look to me for advancement ever again.Personally, my pride would be damaged, and Ive longed for this kind of job since I began my career 10 years ago Im 34. Living without my wife most of the time would be awful as well; its become a question of sacrificing my personal life now vs. future professional benefits. At 25, I feel this makes sense, but at 34, Im beginning to think I may never start living the house, the dog, the white picket fence, children currently no children.Whats the best plan? Is it financially viable to continue, or should I just scrap the whole venture and return to my old job? To anyone who has had a similar career path, did additional experience pay dividends in the long term? Was the sacrifice in your personal life worth the gains in your professional life?  <response>: I kind of feel like shes chosen a trial separation and you just dont know it yet. Old boss moved back to the states because his wife who he had dated for something like 7 years before they were married didnt like it overseas in australia. He moved back to a small town and took a crappy job selling insurance in iowa when he has an internationally focused mba. Then she left him. Seems like you could take a decent job back where youre from. But, I would guess your wife is just not that happy with her life and not really into the picket fence future you desire if youre 34, found a place where houses cost 100k vs 500k and shes not busy nesting and planning that future but instead wants to move back to her hometown to be with her friends. This isnt really a financial problem. You should both probably sit down with a therapist and see whats really on her mind. TL:DR You might make sure your picket fence future you imagine is actually an optionsomething your wife really wants too before you make any major decision. 