Bracknell to the city commute -been offered double my salary
Discussion
S100HP said:
You're mental to consider doing that. the extra money will be nice, but at what expense, you'd never be at home. That's a big deal when kids come along.
I'll be WFH one day a week + weekend at home... flexibility to be home two days a week after the team is set up. Yea when kids do come along (hopefully), that will be in about 2-4 years, and by which time I plan to have gained new skills and have moved to a position closer to home.
My 2p, if that's OK.
I have recently moved jobs (OK, technically a secondment), increasing my commute from 15 miles and 25 minutes to 45 miles and 1 hour 15 minutes. Working hours are 8-5. So I have lost 1.5 hours from my day just sat in my car. And I now go to bed earlier than I used to because I am a grumpy git when tired. My point is, it has made a fair difference to my work/life balance.
However I made the move for two reasons. Firstly, it is a role which will teach me a lot about things I had no prior knowledge about. This coupled with my previous experience will make my CV a lot better at the end of the secondment in 15 months time. Secondly, we are moving closer to my wife's parents so they can help with childcare in the next few years. So it is a long term plan, but hopefully one that will work out, and allow me to get a better job.
With reference to the long drive - audiobooks have been great for me
I have recently moved jobs (OK, technically a secondment), increasing my commute from 15 miles and 25 minutes to 45 miles and 1 hour 15 minutes. Working hours are 8-5. So I have lost 1.5 hours from my day just sat in my car. And I now go to bed earlier than I used to because I am a grumpy git when tired. My point is, it has made a fair difference to my work/life balance.
However I made the move for two reasons. Firstly, it is a role which will teach me a lot about things I had no prior knowledge about. This coupled with my previous experience will make my CV a lot better at the end of the secondment in 15 months time. Secondly, we are moving closer to my wife's parents so they can help with childcare in the next few years. So it is a long term plan, but hopefully one that will work out, and allow me to get a better job.
With reference to the long drive - audiobooks have been great for me
Hi OP, a commute like that is something that is very doable. It won't always be pleasant, especially when things go wrong with the trains.
One thing you might want to try is to work out a net hourly rate for both jobs. I've done it a few times.
Take the annual salary and break it down to a smaller period - a week would probably work best for you. Then deduct your costs for transportation, lunch and any other sundries and try to get to a net figure for each week.
Then divide that by your working hours plus the commute time for the week and see where they come out. If you want to get into real detail, you could factor in pension and holidays as well.
I've found it one way to put some kind of number on the question of work/life balance.
One thing you might want to try is to work out a net hourly rate for both jobs. I've done it a few times.
Take the annual salary and break it down to a smaller period - a week would probably work best for you. Then deduct your costs for transportation, lunch and any other sundries and try to get to a net figure for each week.
Then divide that by your working hours plus the commute time for the week and see where they come out. If you want to get into real detail, you could factor in pension and holidays as well.
I've found it one way to put some kind of number on the question of work/life balance.
redrabbit29 said:
DanL said:
Put it this way - you can take this leap, and see what happens. If for some reason it doesn't work out, how hard would it be to rejoin the Police force? I was under the impression that you guys are crying out for staff, which makes me assume you'd be able to get back in... However, I may be wrong!
In terms of the other considerations raised by posters (longer commute, work/life balance, etc.) - they're all valid. However, you live in the South East - if you want to have a "nice" home, somewhere that's not usually on fire, you're going to want to earn more than you are at the moment...
You can re-join within 5 years, however I'm in a really specialised role which is difficult to get into ... hence why I've been lucky to have developed lots of skills and gain experience to leave to the private sector. (NOTE: I was already fairly strong in IT and worked as a web developer before).In terms of the other considerations raised by posters (longer commute, work/life balance, etc.) - they're all valid. However, you live in the South East - if you want to have a "nice" home, somewhere that's not usually on fire, you're going to want to earn more than you are at the moment...
Either way, yea there's other options if the worst came to the worst.
As a point of reference, I turned down a Java development job in Reading 10 years ago that paid more than you're currently on... Depending on the skill set you have, you may not have any trouble getting a better paid job outside of London should you end up hating the commute.
That all said, depends what motivates you. I like living somewhere nice, having a couple of holidays a year, and so on. If you're happy with your lot, there's something to be said for that. Personally, time spent reading a book / the paper / watching Netflix on the phone while sitting on a train to London (takes me 50 mins door to door) is a small price to pay for flying at the front of the plane when I'm on holiday.
Ref: season tickets - as mentioned, well worth getting a season ticket loan from work if you can. A yearly season ticket generally costs a touch over what you'd pay for 10 monthly tickets.
In terms of the pension contribution it might help to consider the nominal values rather than proportional, and also the greater tax relief available when you're a higher rate payer.
Your employer is paying a generous 12% which is £4800, yet a 'measly' 4% of the offered salary is still £3000. On the higher salary it will also be more tax efficient for you to make personal contributions as you'll benefit from higher rate tax relief, You might also be able to sacrifice salary for pension and benefit from the employer's NI saving if they pass this on. For example if you paid your bonus into the pension you'd be surpassing your original employer + employee pension (£10500 vs 9600) at a net cost of £4500 whilst still taking all of your basic salary home.
Your employer is paying a generous 12% which is £4800, yet a 'measly' 4% of the offered salary is still £3000. On the higher salary it will also be more tax efficient for you to make personal contributions as you'll benefit from higher rate tax relief, You might also be able to sacrifice salary for pension and benefit from the employer's NI saving if they pass this on. For example if you paid your bonus into the pension you'd be surpassing your original employer + employee pension (£10500 vs 9600) at a net cost of £4500 whilst still taking all of your basic salary home.
Take the job and move house. Somewhere like Brentwood in Essex for a fast commute to the City of London. Or move further along the Waterloo line, somewhere like Staines/Ashford/Feltham shouldn't be too much dearer than Bracknell. Slough even, maybe Langley/Iver, Crossrail will help the Paddington-City bit of the commute from there.
If you are a lazy bugger like me, unless you really don't like your current job and/or money is where you think you'll find true happiness, I would stick with what you are doing. Which begs the question, why did you put yourself forward for the new job? Sounds like your dabbling has lit the touch paper but can't handle where it's going! That's not a criticism by the way - I do it all the time 
No chance. Not enough to counter the trauma of the commute, or London.
Have your kids and enjoy hanging out with them. Nothing worse than being late home when mum has sick children to contend with alone, every time......Perspectives change when kids come along.
Public sector sometimes sign up to shared parental leave on full pay. Would you get much time off join the new job? The first year is golden and full of memories.
Have your kids and enjoy hanging out with them. Nothing worse than being late home when mum has sick children to contend with alone, every time......Perspectives change when kids come along.
Public sector sometimes sign up to shared parental leave on full pay. Would you get much time off join the new job? The first year is golden and full of memories.
Also bear in mind that many people have bad experiences at new jobs and there is some risk with a new team.
Personally I would stay put but that would purely be down to the commute.
On the other hand if you will find it easy to get another job close to home it may be worth the risk.......
Personally I would stay put but that would purely be down to the commute.
On the other hand if you will find it easy to get another job close to home it may be worth the risk.......
If kids are 2-3 years away and your other half is supportive, then make hay while the sun shines. I work in automotive which meant I never really had an opportunity to have a few years working in London, unlike some of my contemporaries. I am still a bit gutted about that now.
I have a young family now and have been commuting 1hr each way for the past 8 years and its beginning to grate, so I'm looking at alternatives closer to home to improve my work-life balance, but my circumstances are massively different to yours. Maybe your situation will change in a couple of years time, but for now, take the job, get the experience and try to enjoy it.
I have a young family now and have been commuting 1hr each way for the past 8 years and its beginning to grate, so I'm looking at alternatives closer to home to improve my work-life balance, but my circumstances are massively different to yours. Maybe your situation will change in a couple of years time, but for now, take the job, get the experience and try to enjoy it.
A couple of practical points on the commute, which seems to be your main concern.
1. Check out the cost of paying daily vs an annual season ticket. I travel from zone 8 (Swanley) to Blackfriars then walk to Liverpool Street and daily (for the days you will actually be in the office, about 220 iirc) was roughly the same price as an annual ticket.
2. A colleague of mine walks between Waterloo and Liverpool Street every day - he prefers it to getting the tube and it is obviously cheaper (unless you've bought an annual travel card)
3. I have a 25 minute walk between home and my local station, and the same again between Blackfriars and the office. The walking I do makes me feel less guilty about not going running/gym.
4. I leave home at 6.30 and am in the office at 8.15. I then leave at 5 and am home by 6.30. Podcasts when walking, Kindle whilst on the train mean that time is not wasted.
5. I'm on a similar salary to the one you are considering and my firm absolutely believes in the work-life balance and I can and mostly do leave at 5pm (although I am in early than I need to be - my choice). The only times I don't is when I choose to "go the extra mile" which I'm under no pressure from my employer to do. So this is possible (set the precedent early though!).
6. Liverpool Street is a great area to work in terms of the social side of things. I started back in London after 9 years as a consultant and couldn't be happier.
1. Check out the cost of paying daily vs an annual season ticket. I travel from zone 8 (Swanley) to Blackfriars then walk to Liverpool Street and daily (for the days you will actually be in the office, about 220 iirc) was roughly the same price as an annual ticket.
2. A colleague of mine walks between Waterloo and Liverpool Street every day - he prefers it to getting the tube and it is obviously cheaper (unless you've bought an annual travel card)
3. I have a 25 minute walk between home and my local station, and the same again between Blackfriars and the office. The walking I do makes me feel less guilty about not going running/gym.
4. I leave home at 6.30 and am in the office at 8.15. I then leave at 5 and am home by 6.30. Podcasts when walking, Kindle whilst on the train mean that time is not wasted.
5. I'm on a similar salary to the one you are considering and my firm absolutely believes in the work-life balance and I can and mostly do leave at 5pm (although I am in early than I need to be - my choice). The only times I don't is when I choose to "go the extra mile" which I'm under no pressure from my employer to do. So this is possible (set the precedent early though!).
6. Liverpool Street is a great area to work in terms of the social side of things. I started back in London after 9 years as a consultant and couldn't be happier.
Some really good points here... sorry if I don't respond to yours, but just picking out specific ones.
Yea you've hit the nail on the head about dabbling. I do it a lot, really excited applying for jobs but as soon as someone expresses some genuine interest I go to pieces. I feel terrified of the move tbh.
Annoyingly, I also spoke to another guy who used to work in the public sector and he said that often people work 8-6 - he is head of one of the other teams so quite different to the job I will be doing. I did wonder if people are working till 6 and then commuting home, when the hell are they eating?
theboss said:
In terms of the pension contribution it might help to consider the nominal values rather than proportional, and also the greater tax relief available when you're a higher rate payer.
Your employer is paying a generous 12% which is £4800, yet a 'measly' 4% of the offered salary is still £3000. On the higher salary it will also be more tax efficient for you to make personal contributions as you'll benefit from higher rate tax relief, You might also be able to sacrifice salary for pension and benefit from the employer's NI saving if they pass this on. For example if you paid your bonus into the pension you'd be surpassing your original employer + employee pension (£10500 vs 9600) at a net cost of £4500 whilst still taking all of your basic salary home.
That's a power post! I don't think you can over pay into the employer one, but I would definitely put some of the extra money I have into a pension pot of some kind.Your employer is paying a generous 12% which is £4800, yet a 'measly' 4% of the offered salary is still £3000. On the higher salary it will also be more tax efficient for you to make personal contributions as you'll benefit from higher rate tax relief, You might also be able to sacrifice salary for pension and benefit from the employer's NI saving if they pass this on. For example if you paid your bonus into the pension you'd be surpassing your original employer + employee pension (£10500 vs 9600) at a net cost of £4500 whilst still taking all of your basic salary home.
JuniorD said:
If you are a lazy bugger like me
...Sounds like your dabbling has lit the touch paper but can't handle where it's going! That's not a criticism by the way - I do it all the time
Haha, tbh I am quite lazy too, but I know I can't stay in the same department as I am for 30 more years. I also want to earn a bit more money for a nicer house and maybe earlier retirement. ...Sounds like your dabbling has lit the touch paper but can't handle where it's going! That's not a criticism by the way - I do it all the time
Yea you've hit the nail on the head about dabbling. I do it a lot, really excited applying for jobs but as soon as someone expresses some genuine interest I go to pieces. I feel terrified of the move tbh.
MrBig said:
If kids are 2-3 years away and your other half is supportive, then make hay while the sun shines. I work in automotive which meant I never really had an opportunity to have a few years working in London, unlike some of my contemporaries. I am still a bit gutted about that now.
I have a young family now and have been commuting 1hr each way for the past 8 years and its beginning to grate, so I'm looking at alternatives closer to home to improve my work-life balance, but my circumstances are massively different to yours. Maybe your situation will change in a couple of years time, but for now, take the job, get the experience and try to enjoy it.
Thanks for that MrBig, sounds like good advice. I think it's worth 12-24 months of getting out there and working hard.I have a young family now and have been commuting 1hr each way for the past 8 years and its beginning to grate, so I'm looking at alternatives closer to home to improve my work-life balance, but my circumstances are massively different to yours. Maybe your situation will change in a couple of years time, but for now, take the job, get the experience and try to enjoy it.
wiggy001 said:
5. I'm on a similar salary to the one you are considering and my firm absolutely believes in the work-life balance and I can and mostly do leave at 5pm (although I am in early than I need to be - my choice). The only times I don't is when I choose to "go the extra mile" which I'm under no pressure from my employer to do. So this is possible (set the precedent early though!).
6. Liverpool Street is a great area to work in terms of the social side of things. I started back in London after 9 years as a consultant and couldn't be happier.
I spoke to the guy who is building the team and he is really nice, said that he fully supports WFH and the only time it's not an option is if there's a meeting or client issue to sort out. He said sometimes you may be in 5 days, but then next week at home 1 day, the week after you're at home 2 days. etc...6. Liverpool Street is a great area to work in terms of the social side of things. I started back in London after 9 years as a consultant and couldn't be happier.
Annoyingly, I also spoke to another guy who used to work in the public sector and he said that often people work 8-6 - he is head of one of the other teams so quite different to the job I will be doing. I did wonder if people are working till 6 and then commuting home, when the hell are they eating?
Edited by redrabbit29 on Thursday 24th May 17:38
Welshbeef said:
You have not stated your age but noted maybe kids in the next 3-5 years so I’m guessing you are in your 30’s low to mid.
Welsh, if you’re going to reply to a post please have the decency to read what’s been written.First you say the OP has children when he clearly states he does not and then later on he states his age but you state that he has not stated that information.
You muppet!
OP - you’re young, healthy and hungry - take the job and make the most of every opportunity it offers you. As has been said earlier, in about 15 years time when you’re old and worn out then you can take the easier job. That’s what I did and wouldn’t change a thing
Good luck!
I did Farnborough to Bank for 2.5 years. Commute is ok. It's broken up. Most tube stations are super busy at peak times. You dont have to hang around for beers every week. I tended to buy monthly and weekly tickets and timed it with holidays and the occasional work travel. Get used to delay repay claims and claim for absolutely anything you can. If you can walk to station great but otherwise get a moped. It's free to park at most stations and you can park right by the entrance. You can get in and out the station car park far quicker. At 1200 brand new it pays for itself within a year on parking charges.
Take the bump in salary. It will give you options for saving, bigger mortgage and access to higher paid jobs if you want them later. I left London jobs and still got a 25% rise.
Take the bump in salary. It will give you options for saving, bigger mortgage and access to higher paid jobs if you want them later. I left London jobs and still got a 25% rise.
edc said:
I did Farnborough to Bank for 2.5 years. Commute is ok. It's broken up. Most tube stations are super busy at peak times. You dont have to hang around for beers every week. I tended to buy monthly and weekly tickets and timed it with holidays and the occasional work travel. Get used to delay repay claims and claim for absolutely anything you can. If you can walk to station great but otherwise get a moped. It's free to park at most stations and you can park right by the entrance. You can get in and out the station car park far quicker. At 1200 brand new it pays for itself within a year on parking charges.
Take the bump in salary. It will give you options for saving, bigger mortgage and access to higher paid jobs if you want them later. I left London jobs and still got a 25% rise.
Are you now based out towards Farnborough area, or counties? Take the bump in salary. It will give you options for saving, bigger mortgage and access to higher paid jobs if you want them later. I left London jobs and still got a 25% rise.
How did you find your energy levels, were you exhausted when you got home?
I don't get how commuters/those in London stay healthy, no time for gym. Also, I don't want to fall into the habit of buying lunch everyday so will have to try to find something I can take from home in my bag that's not too bulky
redrabbit29 said:
I don't get how commuters/those in London stay healthy, no time for gym. Also, I don't want to fall into the habit of buying lunch everyday so will have to try to find something I can take from home in my bag that's not too bulky
You make time - I go three times a week, 8:30-10:00 pm, once I’m home, have eaten and have relaxed for an hour or so. You lose the evening, but it’s doable. Assuming you have an easy commute (i.e. get on, sit down, arrive) then there’s nothing exhausting about it... Multiple changes and having to stand are where commuting starts to suck - cannot recommend. 
Lunch - London’s set up for office workers needing food. You don’t have to eat crap - Tossed, Itsu and others are either healthy, or have healthy options. Whether you want to spend £5 a day on lunch is a different question, but on £75k I’m sure you could afford it.
DanL said:
redrabbit29 said:
I don't get how commuters/those in London stay healthy, no time for gym. Also, I don't want to fall into the habit of buying lunch everyday so will have to try to find something I can take from home in my bag that's not too bulky
You make time - I go three times a week, 8:30-10:00 pm, once I’m home, have eaten and have relaxed for an hour or so. You lose the evening, but it’s doable. Assuming you have an easy commute (i.e. get on, sit down, arrive) then there’s nothing exhausting about it... Multiple changes and having to stand are where commuting starts to suck - cannot recommend. Lunch - London’s set up for office workers needing food. You don’t have to eat crap - Tossed, Itsu and others are either healthy, or have healthy options. Whether you want to spend £5 a day on lunch is a different question, but on £75k I’m sure you could afford it.
My thoughts are the short term decision is neither here nor there - good quality of life and ok (for the southeast) salary or challenged quality of life and better money. What matters is the long term plan. I have always been ambitious but never dared the London experience as I like my creature comforts. However, at 29 with a baby and another on the way, I jumped from a great job on low end of average (£29k in 2007) in Bristol to high salary horrible job (£48k +4k car). It lasted a year before credit crunch and I kicked myself all that year. But, more importantly, it got me off the comfortable merry-go-round and led me to my current comfortable self employment where I earn high end of average but with the ridiculously good working hours. Another ambitious person might want a six figure salary and not need/want too be home by 4pm.
Totally ignoring the decision in front of you now, where do you want to be in ten years?
Now make the choices that lead that way.
Totally ignoring the decision in front of you now, where do you want to be in ten years?
Now make the choices that lead that way.
redrabbit29 said:
Are you now based out towards Farnborough area, or counties?
How did you find your energy levels, were you exhausted when you got home?
I don't get how commuters/those in London stay healthy, no time for gym. Also, I don't want to fall into the habit of buying lunch everyday so will have to try to find something I can take from home in my bag that's not too bulky
I commuted by car to Sunbury before that and now near Heathrow. How did you find your energy levels, were you exhausted when you got home?
I don't get how commuters/those in London stay healthy, no time for gym. Also, I don't want to fall into the habit of buying lunch everyday so will have to try to find something I can take from home in my bag that's not too bulky
Energy levels - I still found time to get home and go to a sports centre twice during week days. There are lots of gyms in the City and hopefully your employer will subsidise it. People at my last place would go before during and after work.
Lunch - I normally broight something with me.
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