Can you negotiate better pay for the less commute job? I think they understand that no one wants to take a 20K pay cut. That’s HUGE. Also, I don’t understand why your seniority would go down. I would ask them these questions. Tell them you are willing to sacrifice for a job closer to home, but that the 15 years you have devoted to the company/organization is a lot, and that you’d like to negotiate the pay and position.
I personally won’t take a job I can’t ride my bike to. That is how I feel about commuting. I live on a busy street in San Francisco that is the street many people take to get to the freeway on their commute. They look like shit in the morning I can tell you. They look tired, some look asleep, and they are ALONE. They don’t even carpool. They would rather sit in more traffic. I think commuting is hell. aren’t you glad you asked for my opinion?
I think the extra time in your day could end up meaning a lot to you depending on what you do with that time. Even extra sleep could make a world of difference to you. I like to exercise in the time I don’t spend commuting. Makes me happier overall.
I think if you can get them to sweeten the deal a little—pay you in between the two salaries rather than the 20k drop, and see if you can maintain a good level of seniority, that the new job is a great choice.
Also—do you have a gut feeling about it? My friend and fellow flutherer told me that when posed with a job offer she imagines walking into that and tries to understand what it would feel like. What would it really mean to you? Can you make an informed guess? I think you should go for it.