Hi,

I'm a software engineer, and about 8 months ago, I
started a new job which offered a some "cutting edge" technical experience, combined with a 18% raise,
along with relocation to a state with a lower cost of
living and no sales tax.

My previous company has recently contacted me and is
asking that I come back. Most of the complaints/issues
I had with them have been resolved. They've offered me
a promotion, large signing bonus, and a 20% raise over my current salary (plus some stock options probably worth less than the ones I have currently). They would pay full move expenses to get me back there. The technical work isn't
as cutting edge, but would provide some leadership and
design-work type experience I wouldn't get at my current
job.

My salary there would be high, but after I figure out the taxes, cost of living, etc, I'd only be about break-even,
or a little bit ahead. But between the instability and
poor environment here, and some of the things I feel they decieved me about when I came here, I'm considering taking the offer to go back.

So, my question: would going back be a mistake in the long-term? Will the fact that I left then returned after
8 months hurt me in future job searches? Do I risk getting
trapped at that job due to the high salary?