The thing with making big life decisions is that you don't want to end up regretting them. It is, after all, your life. And probably you get to live only once.
Generally, people are more likely to regret the things they didn't do over the things they did do (unless it's something they can't morally support). Staying where you are and being bored, doesn't sound like the best thing for you. It's not making you happy, so continuing down this road is unlikely to bring you happiness. Are there other ways to make your current life less boring to you, without rocking the boat too much? Can you stay there and work less, take up hobbies/sports/causes? Can you find a similar job at another location that suits you better?
Mostly, it's really depending on how risk averse you are. If you are very risk averse, take the first option, even though it will leave you bored.
If you like to take some risks, take the second option. It won't guarantee that you'll end up happier though. The academic world can be a real pain. And debts aren't any fun either. So only do that if it's something you really want to do.
If you are more of a free spirit, take option number 3. From what you've written though, I don't get the impression that you are that free a spirit. Starving also isn't as romantic as it's cracked up to be.
Personally, if I were you, I'd try to switch jobs within your current company, or find a similar job elsewhere and relocate. I'd try and make the situation I'm in better, as opposed to trying to break free completely. But that's because I've noticed that the people around me who tried to break free nearly always ended up bringing their problems with them, because they mistakenly blamed their unhappiness on outward things. They suffer from the "If only this were different" syndrome.
Generally, people are more likely to regret the things they didn't do over the things they did do (unless it's something they can't morally support). Staying where you are and being bored, doesn't sound like the best thing for you. It's not making you happy, so continuing down this road is unlikely to bring you happiness. Are there other ways to make your current life less boring to you, without rocking the boat too much? Can you stay there and work less, take up hobbies/sports/causes? Can you find a similar job at another location that suits you better?
Mostly, it's really depending on how risk averse you are. If you are very risk averse, take the first option, even though it will leave you bored.
If you like to take some risks, take the second option. It won't guarantee that you'll end up happier though. The academic world can be a real pain. And debts aren't any fun either. So only do that if it's something you really want to do.
If you are more of a free spirit, take option number 3. From what you've written though, I don't get the impression that you are that free a spirit. Starving also isn't as romantic as it's cracked up to be.
Personally, if I were you, I'd try to switch jobs within your current company, or find a similar job elsewhere and relocate. I'd try and make the situation I'm in better, as opposed to trying to break free completely. But that's because I've noticed that the people around me who tried to break free nearly always ended up bringing their problems with them, because they mistakenly blamed their unhappiness on outward things. They suffer from the "If only this were different" syndrome.
I Seek Life Advice
26/04/2011 02:52:23 AM
- 1273 Views
It's Sabotage -Go Balls to the wall,Baby! #3 for you, My friend. *NM*
26/04/2011 03:00:14 AM
- 565 Views
Re: If I went balls to the walls I'd run for the Senate in 2012...
26/04/2011 03:22:43 AM
- 676 Views
The common wisdom in Ireland seems to be we are about to do just that to our senate. *NM*
26/04/2011 01:19:22 PM
- 328 Views
Re: I'd love to abolish the US Senate. It's a big, white, Oligarchical nuisance. *NM*
26/04/2011 11:42:44 PM
- 336 Views
I don't understand why NY is not on your radar if you're ambitious.
26/04/2011 06:10:06 AM
- 905 Views
"the ambitious folk" sounds odd to me.
26/04/2011 06:55:40 PM
- 772 Views
Oh, I know.
26/04/2011 07:04:16 PM
- 657 Views
I'm still not convinced two wrongs make a right.
26/04/2011 07:37:22 PM
- 618 Views
Re: I'm still not convinced two wrongs make a right.
26/04/2011 08:19:38 PM
- 712 Views
Move out west.
26/04/2011 06:21:43 AM
- 771 Views
hey, ca is awesome! also the weather is far, far better than the other 2 pnw states
26/04/2011 06:32:36 AM
- 853 Views

I've visited CA many times, but I only started hating it after I moved to the West Coast
26/04/2011 06:43:24 AM
- 917 Views
oh, ca doesn't make women that way, it's time. i have to interact with them *daily*
26/04/2011 04:38:36 PM
- 798 Views

What's your personality like?
26/04/2011 11:19:59 AM
- 856 Views
Re: That's a great reply - thanks.
26/04/2011 12:03:05 PM
- 883 Views
That's not very nice.
26/04/2011 08:29:11 PM
- 812 Views
Re: Setting:
26/04/2011 08:59:02 PM
- 706 Views
Come to Ireland.
26/04/2011 01:31:55 PM
- 725 Views
Ireland is a great place for writers. *NM*
26/04/2011 04:11:04 PM
- 350 Views
Suicidal, drunk and otherwise self-destructive writers, yes. *NM*
26/04/2011 06:49:55 PM
- 343 Views
The best kind! *NM*
26/04/2011 07:09:06 PM
- 338 Views
$30? I fucking hate you
26/04/2011 03:19:26 PM
- 703 Views
Re: FAR is a beast - but it's so much more satisfying to do it without Becker.
26/04/2011 09:09:11 PM
- 849 Views
take the the risk and go with three *NM*
26/04/2011 05:44:21 PM
- 496 Views
Re: Thanks for the advice. I'm dwelling on'er. *NM*
27/04/2011 12:06:37 AM
- 341 Views
There will likely come a time in your life when you lose some of your choices about taking risk
27/04/2011 05:08:48 PM
- 876 Views
I have to say this has been the MOST enjoyable thread, in a while. whatever happens...
27/04/2011 02:30:05 AM
- 794 Views
There's been a lot of great threads lately!
27/04/2011 07:52:21 PM
- 828 Views