Make a big life decision for me

Make a big life decision for me

Author
Discussion

advicedout

Original Poster:

91 posts

203 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
I've been offered a new job, and need help in deciding whether to take it. I'll give you details of my current job, and the new job - tell me what you would do.

Current job:
Location - Northern city
1 hour commute each way
Work from home 3 days a week
Salary - £72,000 = £49,085.70 net
Job is ok, i'm well respected here, been here 2.5 years. Relationship with boss is good.

New job
Location - London
3 hour door to door commute! (30 mins to station, 2 hours on a virgin train, 20 mins on underground, 10 min walking)
Work from home 2/3 days a week - so will even out at 5 days every 2 weeks.
Salary - £80,000 = £53,725.70
Discretionary bonus of £10,000, taking total net to £59,525.70m (if bonus paid)
Option to stay over if needed
All travel and accommodation paid for - Everything, including fuel to station, train tickets, hotels etc.

Both jobs are similar, new one is probably going to be more varied, but of course have no idea how it will be in reality, or how my relationship with my new boss will be.

I'm torn, so please decide for me.

(Apologies for the vulgarity of mentioning salary, I thought I had to be explicit if i'm seeking advice like this)

Soov535

35,829 posts

272 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
£10k extra for a MASSIVE commute, and the risk of it not working out?

No chance. Stay put. Not NEARLY enough danger money.


The commute alone kills it. Just don't.



AndrewEH1

4,917 posts

154 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
First off, top lurking.

Secondly were you looking to move jobs or have you been head-hunted?

Personally I would be staying put due to the massive commute, two hours per day isn't great but 6 hours with more chance of delays, hell no.

Impasse

15,099 posts

242 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
That's not nearly a big enough jump in salary to compensate for a three hour commute. Even if they doubled your wage, when will you have time to spend it?

advicedout

Original Poster:

91 posts

203 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
Even if only needed to make the journey 3 times every 2 weeks? - i.e Week 1 - Travel down Monday, come back Tuesday, then travel again Thursday. In week 2 - Travel Tuesday, come back Wednesday. 5 days in London office done.

advicedout

Original Poster:

91 posts

203 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
AndrewEH1 said:
First off, top lurking.

Secondly were you looking to move jobs or have you been head-hunted?

Personally I would be staying put due to the massive commute.
Contacted by a recruiter through linkedin

LimaDelta

6,530 posts

219 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
No way I would even consider that commute. Honestly don't know how (why?) people can commit to spending such a high percentage of their life trapped in a box with other people.

Seriously? six hours a day commuting? 25% of the day! Do people really do that?

Echo66

384 posts

190 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
Impasse said:
That's not nearly a big enough jump in salary to compensate for a three hour commute. Even if they doubled your wage, when will you have time to spend it?
Wot he said. Not worth it. Grass is not always greener.

chilistrucker

4,541 posts

152 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
Stay.

N Dentressangle

3,442 posts

223 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
You have enough about you to be in a job which pays that well, and can't make this decision for yourself? wink

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

180 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
What's your home life like? Family? Single?

Do you own your own home?

advicedout

Original Poster:

91 posts

203 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
LimaDelta said:
No way I would even consider that commute. Honestly don't know how (why?) people can commit to spending such a high percentage of their life trapped in a box with other people.

Seriously? six hours a day commuting? 25% of the day! Do people really do that?
I wouldn't consider it if it was a daily commute, but if the commute averaged out at having to be done 1.5 times a week, it would mean 9 hours a week commuting, which doesn't sound as bad.

Muzzer79

10,035 posts

188 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
Top lurking

11% salary increase for 2 hours extra commuting per day? nono

From your figures, you'll be seeing circa £380 per month extra for spending all that time away from the wife/family. Given you're taking home circa 4 grand a month now, that doesn't seem worth it.

Unless it's a bona fide career move that will be a stepping stone, forget it unless you're offered more money.

patmahe

5,752 posts

205 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
Stay put I think, the misery of a long commute should not be underestimated and as others have said you are not being adequately compensated for it.

Vizsla

923 posts

125 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
advicedout said:
AndrewEH1 said:
First off, top lurking.

Secondly were you looking to move jobs or have you been head-hunted?

Personally I would be staying put due to the massive commute.
Contacted by a recruiter through linkedin
Yeah, they really earn their money, don't they? rofl

advicedout

Original Poster:

91 posts

203 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
Jimmy Recard said:
What's your home life like? Family? Single?

Do you own your own home?
Good questions - Married, own a home, 1 year old son.

GTIAlex

1,935 posts

167 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
advicedout said:
Jimmy Recard said:
What's your home life like? Family? Single?

Do you own your own home?
Good questions - Married, own a home, 1 year old son.
Stay.

Muzzer79

10,035 posts

188 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
advicedout said:
Even if only needed to make the journey 3 times every 2 weeks? - i.e Week 1 - Travel down Monday, come back Tuesday, then travel again Thursday. In week 2 - Travel Tuesday, come back Wednesday. 5 days in London office done.
Using this logic, you've gone from seeing your wife and baby son briefly for a couple of days during this two week period, because of your massive commute, to not seeing them at all for 3 nights over this two week period because you're staying over to avoid the massive commute?

Not worth it for that money.

Edited for family circumstances update, which incidentally rubber-stamp the "reject it" philosophy.

a7x88

776 posts

149 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
As others have said - the commute/extra time away from family (especially with a 1 year old) is not worth the increase they are offering IMO

Soov535

35,829 posts

272 months

Monday 7th December 2015
quotequote all
advicedout said:
Jimmy Recard said:
What's your home life like? Family? Single?

Do you own your own home?
Good questions - Married, own a home, 1 year old son.
FFS - and you're even asking this question??!


That commute will ruin your life, your son's life and your marriage.


Just no.