Reply to: Relocation

[Scotchpie]

Update -

The client is willing to wait a little more so we're off to the south.

[Scotchpie]

I find it a bit odd that they are talking permie possibilities at this stage...

they couldn't find a permie or temp with the necessary experience or ability so looked for a contractor hoping they would want to go permie once they have their feet under the door. I also have a good name with their ceo as I used to work with her a couple of years ago. In fact a lot of the changes she's implementing there are based on the model I introduced her to so I know how she thinks and where she's trying to take the organisation.

Temps often want to be permies but mostly contractors dont

I agree and would have considered trying my luck contracting in the SW if we had decided to go.

[SuperZ]

I find it a bit odd that they are talking permie possibilities at this stage. Many contractors want to stay contracting. if they want a permie they should look for a permie. if they want to pursuade a contractor into permie they should do that once they have started the postion and are well known.

Temps often want to be permies but mostly contractors dont

[Brussels Slumdog]

Is it possible to relocate to an area you know nothing about in 6 weeks and would you a) move and risk being stuck without a contract in 4 months and in a place you don't know and have no friends/contacts but which could more than likely lead to a decently paid permie position or b) take the lower paid job and risk being out of work in 6 months but not have the hassle of trying to sell your house, find rental accommodation, and relocate a family.

A or B - which would you choose?

You do not mention whether you use a company or a payroll company
What I would do is commute to the South west and bring my wife every week or alternative week and do the following.
Claim £70 per day accomodation+ £21 meals + 5 extras as allowed + train fares as allowed.
In most hotels you pay the same for a single room as a double room. Come to an arrangement with the hotel for the charge for the 4 month old which is maybe free. Your extra expenses will be the breakfast and evening meal for the wife. Pay these extras before settling the bill and claim your normal bill from expenses. While you are at work your wife can look around and decide whether she likes the area. She could look for possible accomodation while you are at work.

[Scotchpie]

Well I've talked to the wife and weighed the pro's and cons and we're staying put. There's a strong likelihood that the local contract will roll on for at least 12-18 months and for the North West you can have a good life on £200 per day.

We were thinking of maybe relocating to the SW in maybe 12 months but 6 weeks is just too short a time frame and as half the house is like a building site because I'd started to redecorate, it's wouldn't in a state to sell for a decent price or even rent out.

Thanks for all your advice. With a 4 month old I really didn't want to spend my weeks in a B+B only coming home at weekends and I don't want to put strain on my wife who would have to look after him morning noon and night for five days.

Somerset will have to wait.

[Bagpuss]

Why would you relocate before you even know if you like the job?

Ask them for some working from home, and B&B until you know if you want to make a longer term commitment. Where in the South West are you talking?

[SizeZero]

It may be a lot more difficult for your Mrs to relocate with a 4-month old - her friends and support network are ooop north and it might be hard on her to have to start over

Which is exactly what I thought.... why on earth are you asking us for opinions, when the one opinion that really matters is currently nursing your child?



Oh, and when she says 'You decide', she doesn't mean it.

[XLMonkey]

Interestingly, I had the same choice to make at the start of this year:
- I was in a well paid contract miles from home
- I got offered a less well paid, shorter term contract, that was just down the road
- I have an 18-month old

It was a tough call, but I took the risk and the cut in order to buy a bit better quality of life.

It was worth it.

There will always be another job that comes along. There will not always be another life.

So.... unless you really wanted to move to the South West, then it seems to me that option a) is the one to go with.

[Platypus]

It may be a lot more difficult for your Mrs to relocate with a 4-month old - her friends and support network are ooop north and it might be hard on her to have to start over

[Scotchpie]

I think my only real concern or doubt I have is if I cannot sell the house within in reasonable period of time and ending up with a mortgage here in the North and rental costs down South.

Not bad if the role's extended or turns permie, I can keep with it until the house sells considering the pay... But if things turn sour?!!!

Unless I can put my rental down as a tax deductable second home allowance until the sale comes though

Just been quoted £1,000 removal firm fees.

[Doggy Styles]

Choose (a) and take the money.

1. Even paying a cheap B&B for 4 nights you'll still earn what you'd get in 7 months at the other place. You'll save on extortionate rail fares too.

2. You'll have four months to check out the new firm before considering permy/relocating.

3. The extensions at the other place are not guaranteed.

4. The experience will do you good, even if all it does is give you something to moan about on here.

5. South west is cider country, and it doesn't rain as much as the north west.

6. Make sure you're on skype or whatever it is so you can see the family.

What's the travel time? If it's not too bad you might be able to pop home in midweek.

[DimPrawn]

So your millions didn't bring you happiness eh?

I chose not to choose life.

I chose Swindon instead.

[FSM with Cheddar]

Get off my land.

Choose A

[conned tractor]

Probably A - although the rate offered by client B makes it a toughie.

I would speak to my wife and see what she thought about me working away, but if she felt she couldn't cope with little one (mine is three weeks old) on her own then I wouldn't hesitate to turn down client B. I have decisions like these coming my way shortly - not much work available in my field locally, but have been approached by agents about good roles further away. Whatever you decide, good luck.

[sasguru]

Choose life.
Choose a job.
Choose a career.
Choose a family,
Choose a ******* big television
Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin openers.
Choose good health, low cholesterol and dental insurance.
Choose fixed-interest mortgage repayments.
Choose a starter home.
Choose your friends.
Choose leisure wear and matching luggage.
Choose a three piece suite on hire purchase in a range of ******* fabrics.
Choose DIY and wondering who you are on a Sunday morning.
Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing sprit-crushing game shows stuffing ******* junk food into your mouth.
Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing you last in a miserable home nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, ****ed-up brats you have spawned to replace yourself.
Choose your future. Choose life.

So your millions didn't bring you happiness eh?