What I dun understand is you keep sayings your concern for joining CPIB is the relevant of the skills and experience, work life balance and how it will affect your family in the future, but then your other option is even worse to join a friend in a small local startup. CPIB maybe not that good for your family, but I really dun know how joining a small startup with low pay will be better in terms of learning good skills, get work life balance or starting family. Seem like the best thing for you is to stay in your current job.