Take the money. You are unlikely to get another 18-20k raise without changing jobs. You are not on a coast? Plan on moving west or east? It's expensive out here

Take the money. You are unlikely to get another 18-20k raise without changing jobs. You are not on a coast? Plan on moving west or east? It's expensive out here... Take the money and try and save half your income if you can - it will put you in a position to take risks down the road. Don't fool yourself into thinking for a second that your current company would not drop you to suit their needs. You don't owe your current company anything except to do your job and be a professional. If you start to feel guilty just remember that it took you possibly leaving for them to give you a reasonable raise. Sign the papers with the new place, give notice and give back the 4k if you have to. Finally, there are things those older developers can probably teach you. Strive to work with people more experienced than yourself.