OT - Leaving Wales for work

Sorry for the random post, but always get good insights from you guys.

I have the opportunity to move for a new job, and I am conflicted.

Current situation:
Single / No kids / 27 years old / Porthcawl

Work for the council, it is an okay job, low stress, sociable hours, but I find it boring.
salary 23k a year opportunity to increase to 28k in 2-5 years.

I have a good social life, play footy twice a week, golf with friends every weekend and Cardiff season ticket / Wales games. And live near my parents / sister + neice's

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Opportunity.
Become an off-shore wind turbine engineer, free accommodation in Cumbria. 24k for 2 years then 45k salary

It is a career / industry that I am genuinely passionate and excited about. Very competitive recruitment process which I am grateful to get

But worried I would be isolated / regret leaving family and friends.

go for it - you can always come back if it doesn't work out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chris lee

Sorry for the random post, but always get good insights from you guys.

I have the opportunity to move for a new job, and I am conflicted.

Current situation:
Single / No kids / 27 years old / Porthcawl

Work for the council, it is an okay job, low stress, sociable hours, but I find it boring.
salary 23k a year opportunity to increase to 28k in 2-5 years.

I have a good social life, play footy twice a week, golf with friends every weekend and Cardiff season ticket / Wales games. And live near my parents / sister + neice's

-------------

Opportunity.
Become an off-shore wind turbine engineer, free accommodation in Cumbria. 24k for 2 years then 45k salary

It is a career / industry that I am genuinely passionate and excited about. Very competitive recruitment process which I am grateful to get

But worried I would be isolated / regret leaving family and friends.

---

It's fecking miserable up there

You may as well life in Iceland

Stay put

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chris lee

Sorry for the random post, but always get good insights from you guys.

I have the opportunity to move for a new job, and I am conflicted.

Current situation:
Single / No kids / 27 years old / Porthcawl

Work for the council, it is an okay job, low stress, sociable hours, but I find it boring.
salary 23k a year opportunity to increase to 28k in 2-5 years.

I have a good social life, play footy twice a week, golf with friends every weekend and Cardiff season ticket / Wales games. And live near my parents / sister + neice's

-------------

Opportunity.
Become an off-shore wind turbine engineer, free accommodation in Cumbria. 24k for 2 years then 45k salary

It is a career / industry that I am genuinely passionate and excited about. Very competitive recruitment process which I am grateful to get

But worried I would be isolated / regret leaving family and friends.

---

For me if I were in your shoes, now is the time, its a decent job with a decent wage, you are single and carefree, go for it :thumbup:
you can always travel home on your weekend / time off and if you really hate it, just move back home and start again

but for me, you have nothing to lose, go for it

Is the 45k written into a contract with your name on it, or is it a maybe? If you haven’t got it in writing it’s worthless.

I left aged 24, similar conditions. Best decision I made. I’ve travelled the world, lived in 7 different countries, worked in another 20 or so, followed City from afar, played golf wherever I’ve been, have a family born in 3 different countries and increased my salary & benefits 8x. Life is what you make & how you grasp the opportunities.

I wouldn’t move for £1k but if the potential to double you salary is real then it’s a massive springboard for your future

The potential difficulty, I forsee with this particular opportunity, will be whether you can sacrifice your family/friends and social life for just an extra £1k during the initial two year period?

You're probably going to be part of a small team, what happens if you find you've got nothing in common or simply don't get along with the others?
All well and fine in a normal situation, whereby you can finish work at the end of the day and go home and unwind. However, for sure, you and your small team will be sharing accommodation - which leads to another question... in a rural costal area, what will that accommodation be exactly.... a portacabin?

I found myself in a similar situation to you in 2003. I left my job in South Wales to move to London on a two year contract.
Friends said I was crazy to pack in my job that I'd held for 23 years, for a relatively short-term employment opportunity.
My salary 3x in London doing exactly the same work, but it wasn't mainly about the money, I knew I had to make a change or otherwise I'd never get out of the rut I was in.
I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made.

I think you have to have a go .
The job enthuses you , work should be enjoyable .(To a degree)
At 27 life is for living , grasping opportunities not mundanely watching it passing you by.

Lots of brilliant walking up in Cumbria , Northerners are genuinely friendly and welcoming . They might even have football....
Your family and friends will still be here if it doesn't work out.
I came here at 25 with next to nothing , I have never looked back . I wouldn't have achieved what I have without moving.
My friends from those days remain my friends and family are always on the end of a call. Travelling home is easy enough but you will find it will get less and less as you find new interests.
Go for it Chris.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

It's fecking miserable up there

You may as well life in Iceland

Stay put

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What a beautiful place.

I have made many mistakes in my life but the one thing I regret most is looking back and thinking “what if”.

Give it a go and see what happens. Home will always be there and you can return if it doesn’t work out.

Best of luck.

How much time off would you get? If it’s pretty decent then you can get back a fair bit anyway. It might be a bit lonely for a while but there’s always a sacrifice somewhere, now is the time to go for these things….27….must be the youngest poster on here too:hehe:

Go for it. You don’t want to regret not taking this great opportunity in years to come. It will be too late then. You are young enough to bounce back if it doesn’t work out. Plus it could do wonders for your career prospects.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy the Jock

What a beautiful place.

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Only one of the most beautiful in the world…..:hehe:…sludge should write for lonely planet

I left school on a Thursday, caught the 7.30am train Friday morning and have never looked back....Porthcawl seen better day's. Go for it you might like it.

I’d do it. Just on the first two years alone you’ll be doing a job you love over one you don’t - and not losing out financially. You also get the opportunity to see somewhere new and meet new people, with not being so far away from home that you can’t come back to visit.

Then at the end of the two years you either come home having lost nothing or enjoy it and earn £45k.

It’s a risk free move for me

Don't regret not giving it a go. What's the worst that could happen? You don't like it and come back home.

Go for it.

You are in the best position you will ever be in, as soon as you have kids the more difficult it will be to take such a "risk".

To accept a job you are passionate about could well lead to further opportunities.

As soon as you have been in the job a few months then returned home you will realise that you haven't missed a thing.

You will more than likely find that other doors open and the transition will be much easier.

Do it!

I'm 10 years older than you. Through various things happening around me I had an opportunity last year to go self employed (I've only ever been salaried) and run my own business. I had a lot of pressure put on me by colleagues who told me my clients would be picked off by competitors and I wouldn't have a business etc etc

In the end I took all bar one client with me and will this year near triple my previous salary. It's been a huge learning curve and really hard work but I didn't want to look back in years to come and think "what if ?". If I get fed up with it and am still able to keep all my clients, I'm confident I could walk back into salaried employment at another company if I wanted to.

Go for it. If it doesn't work out or you don't like it you can always come back; nothing is ever permanent.

Im only 32 in a very well paid job and im bored off my tits.

Go do something you enjoy before it’s too late

It's always better to do something and decide it's not for you, than to not do it and regret it.

The two most important things in your post are "single" and "no kids". For me, that makes it a bit of a no brainer. You're at an age where, in 5 or so years, you'll probably want to settle down, so nows your opportunity to get outside your comfort zone. As others have said, the worst case scenario is you just come back. But if you stick it out I guarantee you'll learn a few things about yourself.

I left Wales when I was 22 and as much as I love it, I come back and I see the same people in the same places doing the same things as when I left.

It sounds like a sensible career move, too. I think you'd be mad not to do it.

Do you own a house? If not I'd 100% take that job and work until you've got a good deposit and then come back.

One thing to be aware of, being 27 years old is probably peak for your social life, once you get to around 30 your mates start having families and can come out less.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

It's fecking miserable up there

You may as well life in Iceland

Stay put

---

Might have expected that kind of response from you.

Take the opportunity while it is there. Travel meet different people have new experiences and broaden your outlook on life.
your family will always be with you where ever you go and in these times its easy to chat and even see them with whatsapp, and you will always make your own social life where ever.

Go for it, You have nothing to lose (but your chains) and if you move on it will look good on your CV. :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chris lee

Sorry for the random post, but always get good insights from you guys.

I have the opportunity to move for a new job, and I am conflicted.

Current situation:
Single / No kids / 27 years old / Porthcawl

Work for the council, it is an okay job, low stress, sociable hours, but I find it boring.
salary 23k a year opportunity to increase to 28k in 2-5 years.

I have a good social life, play footy twice a week, golf with friends every weekend and Cardiff season ticket / Wales games. And live near my parents / sister + neice's

-------------

Opportunity.
Become an off-shore wind turbine engineer, free accommodation in Cumbria. 24k for 2 years then 45k salary

It is a career / industry that I am genuinely passionate and excited about. Very competitive recruitment process which I am grateful to get

But worried I would be isolated / regret leaving family and friends.

---

When you suddenly find yourself unexpectedly dumped into your 60s (!), you look back upon your 20s and realise just how much time you have to change things if you take risks and it doesn't work out.

Check that contract - and if it is good, I would go for it!

I took a clerical job in Switzerland straight after Uni in something totally unrelated to my degree. Then got called up for the Swiss army just as a career job came up in the UK. Went for the safer option and came back....but I often wonder.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doucas

Do you own a house? If not I'd 100% take that job and work until you've got a good deposit and then come back.

One thing to be aware of, being 27 years old is probably peak for your social life, once you get to around 30 your mates start having families and can come out less.

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Yes, that's a good point too.

Council/public sector jobs tend to be uninspiring, given the very limited authority & responsibility the individual has compared with the private sector. Cumbria is beautiful - even the towns, there are golf clubs, you can play football. Re. family you're not the other side of the world. My kids are 100's miles away. Go for it.

Definitely do it, you can visit your friends/family, they can come stay etc. If you hate it then come home. There's chance you'll regret it if you go but that's fixable, you'll definitely regret it if you don't go and that isn't

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FormerlyJohnnyBreadhead

It's always better to do something and decide it's not for you, than to not do it and regret it.

The two most important things in your post are "single" and "no kids". For me, that makes it a bit of a no brainer. You're at an age where, in 5 or so years, you'll probably want to settle down, so nows your opportunity to get outside your comfort zone. As others have said, the worst case scenario is you just come back. But if you stick it out I guarantee you'll learn a few things about yourself.

I left Wales when I was 22 and as much as I love it, I come back and I see the same people in the same places doing the same things as when I left.

It sounds like a sensible career move, too. I think you'd be mad not to do it.

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This is excellent advice.

(I moved from Cardiff to London for work after my degree - something that I always wanted to try, and it worked out for me personally. That said, some of my friends tried it too and moved back. But at least they tried it and now know. There is nothing wrong with that)

You must be blown away to have such an opportunity.

Do it.

You may not be able to make such a move in future due to a relationship, children etc. - and as others have opined, you can always move back after giving it a whirl. It's great experience to move away from one's home environment. I moved abroad at 20 and I think I can say that it changed my life and broadened my mind.

Some good replies from people who have been in your position, I have done the same and am greatful I took the risk and opportunity's when I did.

Life and work are a ladder, you start at the bottom where it’s pretty safe and steady, but it gets boring, and your lifestyle will stay pretty poor unless you try and work your way up. You're ready for the next step and you'll need to keep moving up and stepping out of your comfort zone in the future, if you want a nice house and to provide for your future family.

What I like about your situation is that you’re moving from a boring job that anyone can do, to a skilled future proof job and the need for your role and experience is likely to grow significantly, whereas computers and robots will take over the majority of your existing work at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Once qualified the World is your Lobster and you can either come back to Wales or travel the World as your skills will be in demand, just do it and don't look back, you'll soon make new friends!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by North Cardiff Blue

Some good replies from people who have been in your position, I have done the same and am greatful I took the risk and opportunity's when I did.

Life and work are a ladder, you start at the bottom where it’s pretty safe and steady, but it gets boring, and your lifestyle will stay pretty poor unless you try and work your way up. You're ready for the next step and you'll need to keep moving up and stepping out of your comfort zone in the future, if you want a nice house and to provide for your future family.

What I like about your situation is that you’re moving from a boring job that anyone can do, to a skilled future proof job and the need for your role and experience is likely to grow significantly, whereas computers and robots will take over the majority of your existing work at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Once qualified the World is your Lobster and you can either come back to Wales or travel the World as your skills will be in demand, just do it and don't look back, you'll soon make new friends!

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Grateful lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chris lee

Sorry for the random post, but always get good insights from you guys.

I have the opportunity to move for a new job, and I am conflicted.

Current situation:
Single / No kids / 27 years old / Porthcawl

Work for the council, it is an okay job, low stress, sociable hours, but I find it boring.
salary 23k a year opportunity to increase to 28k in 2-5 years.

I have a good social life, play footy twice a week, golf with friends every weekend and Cardiff season ticket / Wales games. And live near my parents / sister + neice's

-------------

Opportunity.
Become an off-shore wind turbine engineer, free accommodation in Cumbria. 24k for 2 years then 45k salary

It is a career / industry that I am genuinely passionate and excited about. Very competitive recruitment process which I am grateful to get

But worried I would be isolated / regret leaving family and friends.

---

Do it!!

Plusses:
£24k with free accommodation is a big payrise
£45k after 2 years is a very big payrise
It's a growing industry that should be here for a long time
It's something different, somewhere different.
Carlisle may not be Las Vegas, but it has a nightlife and people - Glasgow is also close enough and thats an amazing place.


Minuses:
You'll probably miss home, but you can always come back anyway

Whenever I have a 50/50 decision I use the “regret the things you did and not the things you failed to do” approach. I lived in Canada 20 years ago and have just moved back to the UK from the USA. Have made friends for life and had a blast too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

It's fecking miserable up there

You may as well live in Iceland

Stay put

---

He is still single, and the sheep in Cumbria are beautiful.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TexasBlue

Whenever I have a 50/50 decision I use the “regret the things you did and not the things you failed to do” approach. I lived in Canada 20 years ago and have just moved back to the UK from the USA. Have made friends for life and had a blast too.

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Admin, please ensure this gentleman changes his user name within the next 21 days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rock_Flock_of_Five

The potential difficulty, I forsee with this particular opportunity, will be whether you can sacrifice your family/friends and social life for just an extra £1k during the initial two year period?

You're probably going to be part of a small team, what happens if you find you've got nothing in common or simply don't get along with the others?
All well and fine in a normal situation, whereby you can finish work at the end of the day and go home and unwind. However, for sure, you and your small team will be sharing accommodation - which leads to another question... in a rural costal area, what will that accommodation be exactly.... a portacabin?

I found myself in a similar situation to you in 2003. I left my job in South Wales to move to London on a two year contract.
Friends said I was crazy to pack in my job that I'd held for 23 years, for a relatively short-term employment opportunity.
My salary 3x in London doing exactly the same work, but it wasn't mainly about the money, I knew I had to make a change or otherwise I'd never get out of the rut I was in.
I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made.

---

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

Moved from Cardiff 1979 to London, got a job within two weeks. After nine years in London moved to Sweden.Got a job after 4 weeks.
Six weeks on the dole compared to you lot that spend a life time on it..Kidding :hehe:

Go for it.
You only regret things you don’t do.
Gaining new experiences, and travelling is the best thing you can do.