[eberkund]

If you were able to land that job you will have no problem landing other ones. Software engineers are one of the hottest professions right now and jobs are both high paying and plentiful. Jobs in SV probably pay the highest but if you aren't willing to relocate you may have to be willing to take a slightly lower salary. That being said, no matter where you live you should be able to find a job that pays well relative to the cost of living. Moving could damage or even end your relationship so maybe it is best to take a job closer to your girlfriend at least for now well you are still figuring out what you want. In a few years should you change your mind there will be plenty of SV jobs still there waiting for you.

[relo_worries]

Thanks - that's largely been my thought process as well as I think things over. I just want to make sure that if I do pass, I maintain a good relationship with the company to keep future opportunities open. I've never actually declined an offer before, so it's all new territory for me.

[jon-wood]

Any company worth working for isn't going to take it personally that you've declined their offer, especially if its for reasons mostly unrelated to the company themselves. I've even resigned from jobs with a company and then gone back to work for them later when circumstances changed with no hard feelings.