Tell me about NOVA.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I leave work at 4:30-5pm, turn off the work email on my phone and walk my dogs and ride bicycles.

Same here. It's wonderful.

I refuse to get into the nights-and-weekends sort of rat race.

I think it comes down to it that we HAVE things we want to do after work. Other people simply don't. I know lots of my friends that their down time is just drinking and hanging out. They will do more hours because well, they have the extra time.

I think NOVA (and the older generation) tends to push people into having their jobs as their life. Most here have more concern for their hobbies than their work. I work from home 2-3 days a week, dont work more than 45 hours, and have turned down promotions and recruiters based on hours and expectations.

You aren't going to get this with your first job, but about 5-6 years in, you should be making enough money to support a decent living and "normal" raises and bonuses should easily outpace cost of living. That is when you start pushing for other benefits such as time.