Remote employee turns down a job offer for $200,000 per year, putting self-care ahead of financial gain, gets roasted by friends and family: ‘My quality of life [is] worth more than a fat paycheck'

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Sep 20, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

This 29-year-old put their personal well-being above a short-term cash-grab, baffling his friends and family and sending his brain into overthinking mode. Would you turn down $200k if you knew it would uproot your entire life, demolish your inner peace, and potentially send you spiraling? 

There's a short list of positive societal changes that have come out of the last 5 years, but one of the only improvements for the working class is the increased opportunity for remote work. Once you work out of the comfort of your own home, your local coffee shop, or pretty much anywhere you feel like being at the moment, it starts to put into perspective how silly, benign, and time-wasting your office life was in the past.

How much time have you wasted in the car commuting to work? How many 'business casual' penguin suits have gathered dust in your closet? And how many times have you failed to dodge small talk in the breakroom from your nosy HR lady? Exactly–Now imagine a life without all of that… That's what it's like to work remote. 

So when the young employee in this next story was offered a huge career opportunity, he was torn. After several years of cultivating the perfect work environment from the comfort of his pajamas, u/Secret_Girlss was faced with a dilemma: Move to a big city for a high-pressure job for $200k or stay cozy in their rural town with a comfortable life? Read on to see how this young career person made a tough call seem quite simple.

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  • 01
    I Turned Down a $200,000 Job Offer Because It Wasn't Remote-And Now My Friends Think I'm Selfish and Privileged
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 02
    I (29M) recently faced a dilemma that has sparked a lot of heated debates among my friends and family. I was offered a position at a top-tier tech company with a $200,000 salary, which is a massive increase from my current pay.
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 03
    It was my dream job: exciting projects, a top-notch team, and great growth prospects. The catch? It required me to relocate to a major city and work in an office full-time.
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 04
    Here's the kicker: I've been working remotely for the past three years and I absolutely love it. My current setup allows me to work from a cozy rural area, where I've built a life that suits my needs-low stress, a great quality of life, and time
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 05
    for personal passions. Remote work has not only enhanced my productivity but also my well-being. After much consideration, I turned down the offer. My decision has sparked outrage among my friends and family.
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 06
    They argue that I'm being "selfish" and "privileged" for prioritizing my comfort over a significant career opportunity. They point out that not everyone has the luxury of
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 07
    turning down high-paying jobs and suggest that I'm out of touch with reality. Some even accuse me of having an "entitled" attitude, given that many people would jump at the chance for such a substantial salary boost.
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 08
    I understand their frustration, but I genuinely believe that my quality of life and personal happiness are worth more to me than a fat paycheck. But now I'm questioning if I'm missing out on a crucial career milestone. Am I being unrealistic and out of touch, or is my focus on personal well-being justified?
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 09
    TL;DR: I turned down a $200,000 job offer because it wasn't remote, and now my friends think I'm selfish and out of touch. Am I wrong for valuing remote work and personal happiness over a huge salary increase?
    via Secret_Girlss
  • 10
    katyd913 You chose your inner peace and well being over money. Sometimes people get caught up on a dollar figure and think that will bring them happiness but it doesn't.
    via katyd913
  • 11
    Kaitensatsuma TBF you didn't "Turn down a job because it wasn't remote" you "Turned down a job because it would require you to uproot your entire life on the hopes that the company wouldn't shitcan you 6 months into your new position after they reviewed their EOY budget"
    via Kaitensatsuma
  • 12
    dirtysnowbaby. Your decision makes total sense! Prioritizing your well- being and happiness is so important, especially if remote work suits your lifestyle and enhances your productivity. Not everyone thrives in a traditional office
    via dirtysnowbaby
  • 13
    setting, and it sounds like you've found what works best for you. At the end of the day, it's your life and your career- trust your instincts! Plus, who's to say that another opportunity won't come along that aligns with both your career goals and personal preferences?
    via dirtysnowbaby
  • 14
    mtpgardener 1. why are you sharing this info with people?? It's probably more about how you shared it and that you include financial information. Perhaps just say I had an opportunity, but it required a move and I like my life now would have been better.
    via mtpgardener
  • 15
    2.I did the same thing. Turned down a high- pressure high pay in office. role for a more worklife balance remote one. Probably not a great upward mobility move but my mental health is so much better. Choose your battles.
    via mtpgardener
  • 16
    Potential Wish4943 Living in a city is a wealth trap. You arent buying a home in the bay area on $200,000 a year. You need that much just to make rent without having roommates well into middle age. Income shouldnt be seen as a video game score. There is more to life, and it seems you realize that.
    via Potential_Wish4943
  • 17
    9346879760 You aren't being selfish. I'm currently unemployed, and looking for my next role (I'm also in tech). One of the companies I'm doing well with is on-site in NYC. I am not too thrilled and am thinking of turning it down if it comes to
    via 9346879760
  • 18
    an offer. Do I have the money and the privilege? No, but I've also faced two layoffs in 18 months, and I have no support system in NYC. Weighing these options is only up to you.
    via 9346879760
  • 19
    Stand Afraid Screw what they think! You're happy doing remote work and apparently you're making enough to have a very satisfying life and your mental health is flourishing, you can't buy that with money! I don't enjoy the big city and if I could remote work and live rurally, I'd do it too!
    via Stand_Afraid
  • 20
    I Turned Down a $200,000 Job Offer Because It Wasn't Remote-And Now My Friends Think I'm Selfish and Privileged
    via Volodymyr Melnyk

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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