Should I ask for a larger raise

[repre]

I have just been offered a new position in a different city with the same company. The cost of living in the new city is only 2% higher than my current one. The offer is a little over a 7% raise, and it includes my merit increase. I received the highest scores possible on my performance for 2008 and am on my company's accelerated career path. I graduated in 2005 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and am fairly young.

My questions is given the current economic situation, should I ask for anything more than what I have been offered. My company has stated that all managers will not receive a merit raise this year and non-managers will only be receiving around a 1% merit raise. However, I have read that you typically do not accept the first offer you are given and that engineers can expect an average merit raise of 4.5% in the U.S. in 2009 (not sure at what point during the crisis that article was written).

Please let me know your thoughts, I would like to give them an answer ASAP as the move is soon.

[cherie27]

Just some personal thought on your issue.

Since your company have already announced about the raise, then you can ask for a raise that are similar to what you have been offered.

[tanja]

I think in such difficult situation on the world it is a good proposition!

[Robdale]

IMO, there is no prob. in asking for a raise, but it should not make a bad impact on your performance. So i think, already company have raised so be satisfy in that.

[StarWAHF]

I think you should go with what you have. Unless there are no other people they could take instead of you then it would be fine to ask for a slight raise but lets be honest, in this market i would be careful with what you ask for.

[markhenry]

if you have enough experience, you can surely ask for a high raise