[OldDutch]

I agree that you should follow your heart to what makes you happy, but make sure this is the right fit.

I could never work government, but that is just me. You even mention you and your friends have worked gov't and had enough after just a few years. What happens if you hit that point? Kelowna probably doesn't have a lot of options, and you will have to move your family back after a few years. At that point sounds like your kids will have started school.

Also, as others have mentioned the take home pay (less gross and net). I know you can get by on less, and probably can. However, why not hunker down here and save your money? Invest it wisely, make it grow. Then invest in property out there? You can then fly or drive out there year round, then eventually retire there. Yes, this won't make you happy today, but it may make you happy and more comfortable in the long run.

My wife and I have always discussed living somewhere else. However, our plan has always been to save our money so she can retire early, and maybe if we are lucky buy a vacation property so she can hang out with the kids there.

We had the same conversation you are having (she is an Engineer and did some time at NEB), that she could work for BC Hydro, or BC gov't, but we come back to the same place. Not worth going to a place 5 times a week, to get paid jack, get less time off, deal with the red tape, just to come home angry/board. Better to go through short term pain (Calgary winters are painful for us) and write our own chapter on our terms later.