<prompt> Human: Hi rpersonalfinance, A while ago I took a job that was pretty much a dream job. I had wanted to work for this company for a very long time since high school and the pay was enough that I could afford to take it. I work in software engineering a little more than 3 years out of school with a B.S. in CompSci and Im currently living in Southern California where this company is located. I moved here from the pacific northwest where the cost of living was significantly lower. I knew all along that my current company has a history of underpaying but its a job that I love. We make products that I use, its a great culture, and an overall really fun place to work, it was even listed in the Fortune magazine 100 best places to work. When I took the job I knew it was less than I could be making but it was enough to pay the bills, put some in savings, have a little fun and prep for retirement. A while has passed and Im beginning to wonder if I should consider looking for something that pays more. Ive got former colleagues with pretty similar experiences who make 25-40kyear more than I do in areas with MUCH lower cost of living One guy has a 4 BR2.5 BA home, 1500 sqft, his mortgage is 120 more per month than my rent on an 1BR 750sqft apartment. The issue is I love my job, and the other opportunities Ive heard of are not things that Im as excited about.So my first query is what do you all think about jobs that you love and have a passion for when you know you could make more elsewhere but those jobs dont excite you as much keep in mind Im currently making ends meet comfortably but I could be much better off?Second if you think I should really consider looking at other positions Im wondering what you all think I should do time wise?We have a holiday bonus that Id miss out on if I leave before the new year and Im also potentially up for a promotion in the spring. I would get a title bump and a pay bump at that point so it would look better on a resume and potentially give me more leverage when negotiating salaries. At the same time Id feel a little awkward leaving directly after taking a promotion since its something my manager has to fight for a little bit only so much in the pot, managers need to put names forward and get approval from on high for most promotions. This is a very hard decision since this is a job I love and am emotionally invested in and its not a necessity that I move jobsand Ive dreamed of it for years. I know that from a perspective of financial security it would be a lot better to get a different job and it would allow me to buy a home and start a family a lot sooner. What is your perspective? Ever had a job you loved but knew you could have a better life if you left?Thanks!  <response>: No amount of money is worth being in a job you hate or with people you dislike. Also, what is the value of the experience you are getting? What can you take advantage of where you are now that you might not get elsewhere certs, education, etc. I live in a studio in L.A., but am actually pretty damn happy here. Sure, I could live in a mansion in Podunk Texas, but then Id be living in Texas. If you want to get a married, you dont really need more than a one bedroom until your first kid. So that is one to two years in a relationship, then one year marriage, then kid... you are looking at at least three years down the road, which is a long way careerwise in this day and age. 