I had another call with the company that wants me to work for them in a distant city.

They want me to do a third round of interviews. I am close to receiving a job offer with them.

If they offer me a job, I will use that offer as leverage to demand that my current employer let me work remotely. If they do not let me work remotely, I will take the job offer in that other city.

I am not terribly fond of this other job offer because I have reason to believe that the work/life balance is really bad, they would pressure me to take additional exams, and also moving a thousand odd miles in one month would be extremely strenuous. But on the flipside, I would rather accept those stressors than spend another month rotting out here in the suburbs.

I think about my friend and it gives me pause. She would be very lonely, stuck in a big, empty apartment with only her cat to keep her company. No friends in the area either. And I would be lonely too. But it does not do to dwell in modest comfort and familiarity forever. I am not happy right now, and the living situation I'm in right now is clearly limiting my personal growth.