My father passed away 3 months ago. It was a devastating loss and what came after completely upended my life.
He was a quiet, modest man. I had no idea how much he had built behind the scenes. When the estate was settled, I discovered that with the properties he had, even with just the current rentals, I now earn double my salary in passive income. If I rent them all out, it would be nearly triple.
On paper, this sounds like an incredible blessing. I’m 30 years old, have a great job at a large company and a clear path toward career advancement. But even if I climbed the corporate ladder for decades, I’d likely never earn what these properties already bring in.
I recently submitted my resignation. My supervisor has been trying hard to get me to reconsider by pointing out my potential, the opportunities ahead, and how much I’ve already achieved. And part of me knows they’re right.
But I can’t shake this question: what’s the point of staying?
I could walk away now and have true freedom to explore other interests, travel and manage the properties full time.
On the other hand, I can’t ignore the risks. Property markets can crash. Tenants can leave. Unexpected costs can appear. And if I quit now, I’m walking away from a stable career at 30. Maybe too early to retire if things don’t go as planned.
To make matters worse, my job is located far from the properties. Managing them effectively from such a distance would be tough. But if I move closer, I’d be turning my back on a career I’ve worked hard for and genuinely enjoy.
So here I am, at a crossroads.
Do I keep building a career that might never out-earn my inheritance, or do I take the leap, manage my father’s legacy, and embrace a completely different kind of life?
I don’t want to make a decision I’ll regret, either out of fear or out of greed for security.
Has anyone here faced a similar dilemma? What would you do in my position?
Jobadvisor
This is an incredibly profound and complex situation, and it's completely understandable that you're feeling torn. First, I'm very sorry for the devastating loss of your father. Navigating a significant inheritance, especially one that changes your life so dramatically, while still grieving, adds many layers of emotional weight to an already monumental decision.
You've articulated the core dilemma perfectly: the allure of financial freedom versus the comfort and identity of a stable career, with the added practical challenge of property management distance. This isn't just about money; it's about purpose, identity, risk tolerance, and legacy.
Let's break down the elements of your situation and explore some perspectives:
The "What's the Point of Staying?" Question
This is a powerful question. For many, work is primarily a means to an end – financial security. If that fundamental need is met, the motivation shifts.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Your job might have provided intrinsic satisfaction (challenge, growth, connection, purpose) beyond the salary. Now, the extrinsic (financial) motivation is less compelling.
Identity: Your career has likely been a significant part of your identity at 30. Walking away can feel like losing a part of yourself, even if you gain something else.
Purpose: True "retirement" at 30 can lead to a search for new purpose. If you leave your job, what will fill that void? This isn't to say you won't find one, but it's something to actively plan for.
Analyzing Your Options & Risks
Option 1: Embrace Freedom & Manage Properties Full-Time
Pros:
True Freedom: This is the big one. Time flexibility, geographical freedom, ability to pursue passions.
Leverage Legacy: Directly engaging with and optimizing your father's legacy can be deeply fulfilling and a way to honor him.
Financial Optimization: Full-time focus could maximize property income and minimize costs, further securing your financial future.
New Skills: You'd develop valuable property management and business skills.
Cons:
Risk: As you noted, property markets fluctuate, tenants can be difficult, and maintenance costs can be substantial. This isn't truly "passive" income; it requires active management.
Isolation: Corporate jobs provide a social structure. Working solo on property management can be isolating.
Loss of Career Trajectory: It's hard to jump back into a senior corporate role after a long break.
Identity Crisis/Lack of Purpose: Without the structure and goals of a career, some people struggle with a lack of direction or boredom.
Proximity: Managing from afar is a significant challenge; moving means uprooting your current life.
Option 2: Continue Your Career
Pros:
Stability & Redundancy: You'd have two income streams, creating an incredibly secure financial position. If one falters, you have the other.
Professional Growth & Identity: You continue to build your skills, advance, and maintain a professional identity.
Social Connection: Your job provides colleagues, structure, and routine.
Less Immediate Pressure: You wouldn't need to immediately learn the ropes of full-time property management while still grieving.
Retirement Cushion: You could save/invest your salary, creating an even larger financial cushion, allowing you to truly retire later with almost no risk.
Cons:
"What's the Point?" Factor: The lack of financial necessity could reduce motivation and make your work feel less meaningful.
Opportunity Cost of Freedom: You'd be sacrificing the immediate freedom and flexibility your inheritance offers.
Logistical Challenge: Managing properties effectively from a distance would be a constant stressor and potentially costly (hiring managers).
Potential for Resentment: You might grow to resent the job taking up time that could be spent on other interests.
What Would I Do / Considerations
If I were in your shoes, especially at 30 and having just experienced a significant loss, I would strongly consider a phased approach or a hybrid solution before a full leap.
Don't Rush the Resignation: You've submitted it, but your supervisor is trying to get you to reconsider. This offers a window. Could you negotiate a different arrangement?
Part-Time/Reduced Hours: Could you transition to part-time work, or a project-based role within your company for 6-12 months? This would allow you to keep a toe in your career, maintain professional connections, and free up time to explore property management more deeply.
Leave of Absence: Is a sabbatical or extended leave of absence an option? This would give you time to manage properties, travel, grieve, and really feel what full freedom is like, without fully cutting ties.
Move & Work Remotely: If your company allows, could you move closer to the properties and work remotely from there? This could be an ideal hybrid solution.
Assess Property Management Reality:
Deep Dive: Before quitting, spend more time learning the actual workload of managing these properties. Shadow a property manager if you can. Understand the legalities, tenant relations, maintenance cycles, and financial reporting.
Professional Management: Could you hire a professional property management company for a portion or all of the portfolio? This would reduce your workload significantly, allowing you to keep your job, albeit at a cost. Calculate if the net passive income would still be enough for your comfort.
Learn While Employed: Use your weekends and evenings to immerse yourself in property management. Take online courses, read books, connect with other landlords.
Define "Retirement" / "Freedom":
What would you do with this freedom? Travel? Hobbies? Volunteer work? Start a passion project? Spend time with loved ones? Having a clear vision of your "next chapter" provides purpose and makes the leap less scary.
"Retiring" at 30 often means pivoting to something else, not stopping all productive activity.
Emotional Well-being: Grieving takes immense energy. Making life-altering decisions during this time can be challenging. A period of stability, even if it's "boring," might allow you to process your loss more fully before embarking on a new, demanding venture (like full-time property management).
Financial Prudence:
Emergency Fund: Ensure you have a substantial emergency fund (6-12 months of expenses) completely separate from your property income.
Diversification: Are the properties your only inheritance? Consider diversifying some of that wealth into other investments to mitigate property market risk.
Living Expenses: Create a detailed budget. Can you truly live comfortably on the net passive income (after taxes, mortgage, insurance, maintenance, vacancies, and potential property management fees)?
My Personal Recommendation (A Phased Approach)
Given the potential for regret from either extreme, and the context of recent loss:
Withdraw your resignation for now.
Explore a part-time, reduced hours, or sabbatical arrangement with your current employer. Explain your new circumstances and your need to explore new avenues, expressing gratitude for their support.
Use the next 6-12 months to intensively learn about and manage your properties. Hire a property manager for the most difficult ones or to handle emergencies while you're still working. Spend your "free" time immersing yourself in the practicalities.
Actively explore what true "freedom" means to you. What would your days look like if you weren't working your corporate job?
Re-evaluate at the 6-12 month mark. By then, you'll have a much clearer picture of:
The actual workload and enjoyment of property management.
Whether your current job still provides enough intrinsic value.
What you genuinely want your life's purpose to be.
Your emotional state regarding your father's loss and your new reality.
This approach minimizes regret by giving you experience with both worlds before committing fully to one. Your father built a strong foundation; taking the time to manage it wisely, while also considering your own well-being and aspirations, is a wonderful way to honor his legacy.
Is it really bad to job-hop every year if it keeps getting me better pay and experience?
I’ve switched jobs three times in the last four years. Each move came with a pay bump, better benefits, and more responsibility, so I don’t really regret any of them. But I’ve had a few people tell me that it looks bad and that hiring managers will think I’m unreliable.
The thing is, each switch has genuinely helped me level up my skills and move closer to the kind of work I want to do. I just don’t see the point in staying somewhere that isn’t helping me grow.
So I’m wondering if job-hopping is still considered a red flag, or if that’s just old-school thinking now.
Jobadvisor
That's a really common question in today's job market, and you're right to consider both sides. The "job-hopping is bad" advice is definitely more old-school, but it's not entirely gone. Let's break down the pros and cons and how to navigate it.
The "Old School" Perspective (and why it's fading):
Historically, employers valued loyalty and stability. Someone who stayed at a company for many years was seen as dedicated and reliable. Frequent job changes could be viewed as:
Lack of Commitment: Employers might worry you'll leave quickly and they'll lose their investment in training you.
Difficulty with Teamwork/Culture: Some might assume you struggle to fit in or adapt.
"Grass is Greener" Syndrome: That you're always looking for the next best thing without fully investing where you are.
The Modern Reality (and why your approach makes sense):
The world of work has changed dramatically. Here's why your experience is becoming more common and often beneficial:
Faster Growth & Skill Development: You're absolutely right. Many companies, especially larger or older ones, have slower promotion cycles. Moving can expose you to new technologies, methodologies, and challenges much faster.
Increased Earning Potential: This is a huge one. Annual raises at a single company rarely keep pace with the salary bumps you can get by moving to a new role, especially in competitive fields.
Diversified Experience: Working in different environments gives you a broader perspective and a more versatile skill set. You learn how different companies operate, which can be invaluable.
Employer Expectations Have Shifted: Many companies now understand that employees seek growth and better compensation. The idea of staying at one company for a lifetime is largely obsolete.
Economic Realities: Layoffs are more common, and companies are less "loyal" to employees than they once were, so employees feel less obligation to be loyal in return.
How to Make Job Hopping Work FOR You:
Since you've seen clear benefits, the key is to manage the perception.
Craft Your Narrative: This is the most important piece. Don't just list jobs; tell a story about your progression. For example: "At Company A, I mastered X. To expand my skills in Y and take on Z responsibilities, I moved to Company B. This allowed me to achieve [specific accomplishment] and positioned me for my next challenge at Company C, where I'm focused on..."
Focus on Accomplishments: For each role, highlight tangible achievements and new skills gained, rather than just responsibilities.
Show Intentionality: Frame each move as a deliberate step towards your career goals, not just a random jump for more money.
Show Value from Each Role: Even if short, demonstrate what you learned and contributed. Did you implement a new system? Lead a project? Improve a process? Quantify your impact if possible.
Address it Proactively (if needed): In interviews, if you sense concern, you can say something like, "I'm always looking for opportunities where I can grow my skills and take on new challenges. Each of my moves has been a strategic decision to advance my expertise in [specific area] and contribute at a higher level, which I believe makes me a more valuable asset."
Network Strategically: Many jobs today are found through networking. If someone refers you, their endorsement can often outweigh concerns about job history.
Consider Longer Stints Now (if it feels right): While your past moves have been beneficial, if you find a role that truly aligns with your goals and offers continued growth, it might be worth staying a bit longer to show stability on your resume moving forward. This isn't a hard rule, but it can help balance the perception.
When it Can Be a Problem:
No Clear Progression: If each job move looks lateral, or worse, a step backward, without a compelling explanation for the change.
Lack of Accomplishments: If you can't point to what you achieved or learned in each role.
Poor References: If previous employers would speak negatively about your departure or performance.
Extremely Short Stints: If you have multiple roles lasting less than 6-9 months, that can be harder to explain away as "growth."
In conclusion:
Your approach isn't inherently bad, especially if it's genuinely driving your growth and increasing your compensation. The key is how you present it. Focus on the positive narrative of skill acquisition, increased responsibility, and intentional career progression. The old stigma around job-hopping is largely outdated in many industries, particularly tech and other fast-moving fields.
