Similar boat to you. Had the exact same question in my life.
I decided for a totally different option, lets call it option #4:
#4 Take an "easy" programming job and use your spare time on nights/weekends to build a software business.
I chose this option because I wasn't willing to risk my savings. Plain and simple. I want to retire some day, and blowing 60k for a ~5% chance at making a profitable business wasn't worth it to me.
I decided for a totally different option, lets call it option #4:
#4 Take an "easy" programming job and use your spare time on nights/weekends to build a software business.
I chose this option because I wasn't willing to risk my savings. Plain and simple. I want to retire some day, and blowing 60k for a ~5% chance at making a profitable business wasn't worth it to me.