Moving 250 miles for a new job
Discussion
Has anyone done similar?
Basically I have a good job in the south east, a house and all of my family are around here. I am 26 years old and have a long term girlfriend.
Around 3 times a year we visit the lake district on holiday as we love the area, and before Christmas a job opening within my current company came up in that area. I applied and have been asked for an interview on the 26th!
I plan on going to the interview to see what the site and area are like, but it's a scary proposition having to choose to stay or go if I get offered the job.
It seems silly but I don't want to get into my 40's and 50's and wonder 'what if', but I am also happy with my life at the moment and the main reason we would be looking to go is to settle in a 'better' part of the country.
My girlfriend also loves the area and I think would like to move, but has similar doubts about family and moving to a totally new area.
Has anyone got any thoughts on this or done similar? It would be interesting to hear some other opinions and also address things I probably haven't even thought of.
Sorry for the long post
Basically I have a good job in the south east, a house and all of my family are around here. I am 26 years old and have a long term girlfriend.
Around 3 times a year we visit the lake district on holiday as we love the area, and before Christmas a job opening within my current company came up in that area. I applied and have been asked for an interview on the 26th!
I plan on going to the interview to see what the site and area are like, but it's a scary proposition having to choose to stay or go if I get offered the job.
It seems silly but I don't want to get into my 40's and 50's and wonder 'what if', but I am also happy with my life at the moment and the main reason we would be looking to go is to settle in a 'better' part of the country.
My girlfriend also loves the area and I think would like to move, but has similar doubts about family and moving to a totally new area.
Has anyone got any thoughts on this or done similar? It would be interesting to hear some other opinions and also address things I probably haven't even thought of.
Sorry for the long post
I know people who commute, 4 days a week, not far short of that distance. It's slowly killing them, but that's not the point 
Personally I've moved hemispheres for a different work 'experience'. You can always go back home if it doesn't work out. Better to try and know, rather than spend the rest of your days wondering 'what if...'.
Personally I've moved hemispheres for a different work 'experience'. You can always go back home if it doesn't work out. Better to try and know, rather than spend the rest of your days wondering 'what if...'.
bigandclever said:
I know people who commute, 4 days a week, not far short of that distance. It's slowly killing them, but that's not the point
Personally I've moved hemispheres for a different work 'experience'. You can always go back home if it doesn't work out. Better to try and know, rather than spend the rest of your days wondering 'what if...'.
^^^ ThisPersonally I've moved hemispheres for a different work 'experience'. You can always go back home if it doesn't work out. Better to try and know, rather than spend the rest of your days wondering 'what if...'.
Live is too short for regrets. I you were suggesting Croydon I would have a different view, but from a quality of life view, Lakes / Yorkshire Dales is very good, providing you have enough money to be happy against your chosen outgoings. If you like the outdoors then it is awesome.
Your profile says you are in Bedfordshire now. You might want to research the things they call "hills" 
Seriously, anywhere in Beds to swap to the Lakes? Go for it, assuming money is the same, etc.
I think the locals are a bit different (bit more direct than Herts/Beds, but not rude, just different), it will rain a bit more, but it is a beautiful part of the world. Great driving roads, many nice pubs,awesome outdoor activities, some big cities as you need them.
Put it this way - you might get to live somewhere that many people in the UK go on holiday to each year...
Seriously, anywhere in Beds to swap to the Lakes? Go for it, assuming money is the same, etc. I think the locals are a bit different (bit more direct than Herts/Beds, but not rude, just different), it will rain a bit more, but it is a beautiful part of the world. Great driving roads, many nice pubs,awesome outdoor activities, some big cities as you need them.
Put it this way - you might get to live somewhere that many people in the UK go on holiday to each year...
All good insights above, particularly the driving roads (outside of the tourist season anyway) and this is PHs after all!
But...if this this hasn't already grabbed you by the scruff of your neck and you're not already packed and looking for somewhere to live then maybe the cons outweigh the pros for you and your circumstances at this moment in time. Good luck whatever you choose.
But...if this this hasn't already grabbed you by the scruff of your neck and you're not already packed and looking for somewhere to live then maybe the cons outweigh the pros for you and your circumstances at this moment in time. Good luck whatever you choose.
I was in a similar situation to you. I was 26, my girlfriend (now wife) had just moved in and we were living in Leeds.
I was not particularly happy in the job at the time (stitched over with pseudo pay increases etc.) and was looking for something new.
A job came up on the Isle of Wight (approx. 250 miles away). I accepted and we both moved down and have not looked back since (this was 15 years ago!) To begin with the company put us in a hotel whilst we sold the house in Leeds. The house sale took a little longer than anticipated and we eventually moved into a 12ft caravan for a couple of months. Great times!
My parents were a little shocked when I told them we were moving overseas.....
If you don't do it now, you probably never will. I am really happy where I live, but job wise I am a little constrained. (Incidentally, I am starting at a new company in about a weeks time after being with the same company for 15 years.... so not impossible!). Later in life (with kids at school and more risk adverse) you are less likely to make these changes IME.
Mike
I was not particularly happy in the job at the time (stitched over with pseudo pay increases etc.) and was looking for something new.
A job came up on the Isle of Wight (approx. 250 miles away). I accepted and we both moved down and have not looked back since (this was 15 years ago!) To begin with the company put us in a hotel whilst we sold the house in Leeds. The house sale took a little longer than anticipated and we eventually moved into a 12ft caravan for a couple of months. Great times!
My parents were a little shocked when I told them we were moving overseas.....
If you don't do it now, you probably never will. I am really happy where I live, but job wise I am a little constrained. (Incidentally, I am starting at a new company in about a weeks time after being with the same company for 15 years.... so not impossible!). Later in life (with kids at school and more risk adverse) you are less likely to make these changes IME.
Mike
I did a similar thing at 26, my girlfriend and I moved from London to Leeds. I moved up 6 months before my missus as it took her a little while to find a job but it all worked out. 5 years later we're married, have a little boy, lots of friends up here... and I've just accepted a job in Luxembourg!
My view is that if you can do it, do it.
My view is that if you can do it, do it.
Cheers for the replies
I am probably getting ahead of myself, but like you say if it goes tits up I can always come back. I will scout the areas estate agents whilst I am up there for the interview to see what is about. I think the girlfriend will come up too so we will make a couple of days of it.
I am probably getting ahead of myself, but like you say if it goes tits up I can always come back. I will scout the areas estate agents whilst I am up there for the interview to see what is about. I think the girlfriend will come up too so we will make a couple of days of it.
Depending on your relationship with your new employer you could also talk about salary sacrificing the costs of your move, this could mean that you don't pay tax on this up to a certain amount (your employer should save the employers NI as well).
Do this after you get your mortgage because the salary sacrifice will make your income look smaller for that year.
Do this after you get your mortgage because the salary sacrifice will make your income look smaller for that year.
In August 2013 I upped sticks and moved 120 miles to a city I didn't know (at aged 25), from the town I'd lived in my entire life and where all of my 'friends' were.
Admittedly, mine was for a career change, and the first few months were a bit choppy. But it was 100% the right decision to make, I absolutely adore my job, live in a house share with five colleagues (from living in my own flat, this was a tough change!) and we have a great time!
I didn't have a long-term partner, but I guess it does depend how 'long-term' and whether they would support you. Long distance can (and does) work...!
Admittedly, mine was for a career change, and the first few months were a bit choppy. But it was 100% the right decision to make, I absolutely adore my job, live in a house share with five colleagues (from living in my own flat, this was a tough change!) and we have a great time!
I didn't have a long-term partner, but I guess it does depend how 'long-term' and whether they would support you. Long distance can (and does) work...!
Cheers everyone, knowing that lots of other people have done it does make it a lot less daunting. The girlfriend lives with me and we have been together 7 years now so we will be looking at both of us moving if I end up going for it.
Looking forward to nosing around the local area when we go down as well. Any of you local guys know any places to avoid in the southern side of the lake district?
Looking forward to nosing around the local area when we go down as well. Any of you local guys know any places to avoid in the southern side of the lake district?
Edited by AceOfHearts on Saturday 14th February 21:32
AceOfHearts said:
Looking forward to nosing around the local area when we go down as well. Any of you local guys know any places to avoid in the southern side of the lake district?
Avoid Barrow & Walney unless you really like submarinesDalton & Ulverston are better
Anything in the lakes proper starts to get mega expensive.
Get used to the A590 to get anywhere but the lakes.
I moved up there from the south west for 4 years, now I'm back down South.
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