OT - Leaving Wales for work

Many yrs ago, when i was 20, i had the opportunity to move to Sth Africa, and work for my college lecturers brother, who had a successful building company there.
I had no ties at the time, and the prospect excited me. When it came to decision time though, i bottled it a bit, and didn’t go.
I’ve had a good life living and working in Cardiff, and have never regretted the decision. I’ve refused to think too much about it over the yrs, as i’ll never know now how it would have worked out, and it would be negative thinking.
What ever you decide, stick with it and don’t have any regrets. Good luck either way 👍

as people are giving life examples, here is mine

I was working as a carpenter for a builder in Barry, a top bloke, we got on well, he had a son a few years younger than me who was " training " to take over the day to day running of the company one day, the lad was also ok, I had always planned to work a little after I had done my HNC in building and go backpacking around the world, I worked for a few years and was ready to go ( it was no secret my plans, I was always honest with the boss ) when it was time for me to go, he was disappointed and said he " had hopes I would stay and forget the travelling plans " , I hadn't, so he then offered me a partnership in the building company, 33% of it if I stayed, of course this was very tempting, it really was, nice money, a decent job with decent blokes and a future in life, but the lure was huge to go backing packing, get out of the rave scene I was heavily into, drink loads of beer, meet girls and end up surfing the best breaks in Australia,

I bottled it, I went backpacking and did the irresponsible thing and didnt think about my future, honestly it was a blast, the best time of my life

I'd give it a go mate, I went to Canada to work for only 6 months and had plans to come back to Wales and go to uni afterwards. 6 months turned into 12 months, I came back for 2 years but had a huge urge to go back as I had another visa that was available to me.

So all in all I ended up in Canada for 3 years, met an awesome Australian girl, we've lived in Wales, NZ and now living in Melbourne. Bit of a crazy route to get here but it's an amazing place. We would like to move back to Wales for a few years at some point so the option is there.

Seems like you're worried about the distance but it's all subjective, to me Cumbria to Wales is like living down the road, distance is a huge problem for us but the world is growing smaller by the year and we are lucky we are able to visit (will be my third trip to Wales in less than 12 months in a few months time), Qantas are introducing direct flights from London to Melbourne/Sydney in a couple years so will shave another 10-20% of the travel time off.

As mentioned by others you can always just move back home, really no shame in that.

Lots of good advice throughout the thread, summarised as don’t regret it.

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Originally Posted by Wozza16

I'd give it a go mate, I went to Canada to work for only 6 months and had plans to come back to Wales and go to uni afterwards. 6 months turned into 12 months, I came back for 2 years but had a huge urge to go back as I had another visa that was available to me.

So all in all I ended up in Canada for 3 years, met an awesome Australian girl, we've lived in Wales, NZ and now living in Melbourne. Bit of a crazy route to get here but it's an amazing place. We would like to move back to Wales for a few years at some point so the option is there.

Seems like you're worried about the distance but it's all subjective, to me Cumbria to Wales is like living down the road, distance is a huge problem for us but the world is growing smaller by the year and we are lucky we are able to visit (will be my third trip to Wales in less than 12 months in a few months time), Qantas are introducing direct flights from London to Melbourne/Sydney in a couple years so will shave another 10-20% of the travel time off.

As mentioned by others you can always just move back home, really no shame in that.

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As someone that wanted to move to Aus but never could convince my wife, why would you want to come back

Just remembered I had previous to leaving home for work.
When I was 20 I travelled to Kuwait with my trade , did 2 weeks hated it and returned home.
Couple of months later an opportunity came up to work in Iraq , which I took . Loved it and earned massive money.
The point is , if you don't like it you can come home.

There are some great stories on here Chris , wondering what your thoughts are?

I would find out more about the free accommodation and where it is etc. My guess is that your Co. will operate out of Workington and its not the best of places IMV. Neither are Whitehaven or Barrow. Cockermouth is OK. Some great golf around there though especially Silloth. In your shoes I'd go for it but maybe negotiate on the accommodation location if poss.

I wish I had the opportunity to move when I was 27. I worked in a couple of different locations then moved abroad later and when I did haven’t regretted it for one minute. You’ll be surprised how many like minded people are making the same kind of decisions.

It will change your outlook on life completely even if you eventually decide it wasn’t for you.

Do.it. The only regret will be not doing it when you had the opportunity

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

Alan I live a few doors from my friends and feeling more and more isolated as peoples lives change

Every situation is what you make of it and I would relish the chance to have my time over

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Yeah, I know what you mean about finding yourself more and more isolated as time goes by.
I think someone already touched on it in this thread, that when you get into your thirties, people's lives change; they get married, kids, move away for work etc.
I used to worry about staying in touch with my friends. Then there grew a realisation that they were putting themselves and family first (naturally).
It was this that made my decision to up sticks and move away much easier.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy the Jock

Just remembered I had previous to leaving home for work.
When I was 20 I travelled to Kuwait with my trade , did 2 weeks hated it and returned home.
Couple of months later an opportunity came up to work in Iraq , which I took . Loved it and earned massive money.
The point is , if you don't like it you can come home.

There are some great stories on here Chris , wondering what your thoughts are?

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The advice has been amazing, it was basically exactly what I needed to hear, and the same stuff I would tell someone if they had asked me the same question.

After reading all the replies I had fully committed to the role, which deep down I new I wanted.

What I did not mention in my post, was I posted it the day of my interview, while I was still up in Cumbria. The interview went really well, and I was confident. I posted the question on here, because everything was really fresh and I was overthinking a lot.

Unfortunately, I had an e-mail this morning, said all the rights things but that they regret to tell me I was unsuccessful.

To be honest, I am surprised and gutted, I genuinely believed it was nailed on due the feedback after my interview.
I believed the fact they were asking me about my living preferences and what allowances they would offer me, was a conversation you would only have after they are successful.

I think ultimately it came down to the fact the other candidates were living local, and did not require relocation.

Either way I am happy I went for it, and more determined to find other exciting opportunities for the future now.

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Originally Posted by chris lee

The advice has been amazing, it was basically exactly what I needed to hear, and the same stuff I would tell someone if they had asked me the same question.

After reading all the replies I had fully committed to the role, which deep down I new I wanted.

What I did not mention in my post, was I posted it the day of my interview, while I was still up in Cumbria. The interview went really well, and I was confident. I posted the question on here, because everything was really fresh and I was overthinking a lot.

Unfortunately, I had an e-mail this morning, said all the rights things but that they regret to tell me I was unsuccessful.

To be honest, I am surprised and gutted, I genuinely believed it was nailed on due the feedback after my interview.
I believed the fact they were asking me about my living preferences and what allowances they would offer me, was a conversation you would only have after they are successful.

I think ultimately it came down to the fact the other candidates were living local, and did not require relocation.

Either way I am happy I went for it, and more determined to find other exciting opportunities for the future now.

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All happened for a reason Chris, be determined, something out of the blue will fall in your lap. Some great advice on this thread, follow your dreams kid:thumbup:

You did the right thing. Don’t make the mistake of thinking another opportunity is just around the corner life doesn’t work like that.

Yes you would have been out of your comfort zone but new opportunities mean meeting new and interesting people, your social life changing for the better and your career growing. On to the next one!

Go for it! I moved to Germany when I was 25 years old, no internet, no whatsapp etc. but took the plunge. everyone's different but for me it's clear the only person who helps you is you yourself. I write this from my second home in France a result of many years of busting my tits. Good luck Bluebird and throw everything behind it!