Price on flexibility

x2

since your only question is $ figure, for ME 25% increase ABSOLUTE minimum.  Not sure I'd take it then either only because, that time means a lot with a baby.  If a baby wasn't coming in the picture, then 25% would be a lot more likely to do it.  This assumes no cost of living increase to move.

mind you, I have a 35 minute one way commute as is but it takes me an hour to get work with the kids school and drop off etc....., just to put it in perspective.

Another thing to consider is that if you would move then what are home prices in that area and would the raise make up for the cost of moving.......

How much more $$$ are you talking? Can you give a percentage of your current salary?

Unless, like above me said, it were XX% (only for you to decide) I would stay put for the flexibility. I think having the flexibility plus all of your future child's grandparents being minutes away will be worth its weight in gold.

Unless it was at least a 20% raise with the same cost of living and you didn't already own a home, I would stay with the flexibility of the current job and try to get more out of the current job as long as it is a stable job.  I only commute about 30 minutes one way and I live in small town Iowa, but I would love to have that time back every day.

But, I am also getting older and our next move will be into a location that is more of what we want in a community, rather than where we set roots and raised our children.  You may also want to think about the current location and is it what you want for your family.

i'm very fortunate to not really have to worry about dollars.  i spent the past 2 years in a miserable job making great money with a 5 minute commute.  i far more value a job that makes it worth the 50 hours a week that i spend there than one that pays a lot more.

also...living minutes from my mom or my in-laws would not be a selling point AT ALL.  everyone has different values and you have to make the decision based on yours.

If I was in your shoes, there's NO WAY I'd change jobs, drive further or move away from parents willing to help care for kidos.  Flexibility is SUPER important for me!  But, that's just me.  I'd get a new hobbie in the meantime to keep my occupied outside of working hours, and when you have kids, you'll have plenty of stimulation away from work.

Good luck in the decision!

***Legal Disclaimer**** I am not a parent.

It seem like everyone is saying the flexibility will be key once their is a child to raise.  I would certainly agree, but I have to say that it seems like everyone is also overlooking the fact that a child adds a huge expense to the family budget as well.  costs are different all over but, it was recently published in the Washington Post that the average cost or raising a child is $234,900 and that does not include college.

So while the flexibility will be helpful so will the cash.  Flexibility doesn't buy diapers or pay for daycare. 

Side note, why is it that "cat's in the cradle" is playing in my head right now??

In the OP's case, it sounds like it just might. Reminaning close to 2 sets of grandparents is sometimes daycare in itself.

I can actually speak from experience on this one so for me the real answer was this:

I got an opportunity for a temporary upgrade at work that paid me about 20% or $35k per year more.  I did the job for about 14 months giving up my flexible schedule and having to be in the office 50+ hours per week.  When the time came to fill the position permanently it was offered to me and I politely turned it down.  

For me the flexibility of time with my kids, working from home and the ability to skip out to train occasionally is worth far more than money alone.