I first became convinced that Silicon Valley or Boston would be better for my career and opportunities to secure funding for new applications of technology back in 2000. And, yet precisely because of family roots and a rich social network and schools we never moved.<p>I worked for Boston firms for several years without moving there. I negotiated the remote work option and while it preserved my family goals ... when the recession of 2008 hit hard and jobs got eliminated mine was one of the first on the chopping block even though I was sitting on a consistent set of promotions and raises. I am convinced that distance and diminished face time with key executives meant that it was easier to choose my job as one to eliminate.<p>I made these decisions to stay where I was geographically for family reasons and my wife&#x27;s career at the time wasn&#x27;t particularly germane because she had already quit work to spend some years FT focused on raising our children. If she had been more actively building her own career and had a really great job that would have just reinforced the decision to stay-put.<p>I don&#x27;t have any experience with Amazon as a workplace but I am sure you have read online discussions, news articles about their culture and asked around your circle. My own impression of Amazon would be that it would be a very risky thing to uproot your family to follow that job. At the very least I endorse your thought of spending 6 months to a full year to see whether it is a good fit prior to moving your family.<p>You and your wife also need a really honest heart-to-heart about her feelings about potentially giving up a &quot;great gig&quot; and the likelihood that she can find something comparable in Seattle.<p>Decision making under uncertainty is a hallmark of human life. Without knowing a lot more about your situation I can&#x27;t really offer more than empathy.