Taking a pay cut to live where you want?
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Sounds like the majority are for it
Have to say I am pretty keen.
Really finding money doesn't buy happiness.
To make a real difference to my life I'd have to earn so much more it would inevitably come with more stress. And what would I do with it? Buy a bigger house? Faster car? None of that will make me happy.
My wage now has little responsiblity and ok wage. Its Kind of the sweet spot for no kids and no stress vs reward.
It's been one of those reflective years I suppose.
It's the second time I've been, and been a few times to the west of the UK. Always so many adventure sports to do over there.
You just don't get this over here..
Have to say I am pretty keen.
Really finding money doesn't buy happiness.
To make a real difference to my life I'd have to earn so much more it would inevitably come with more stress. And what would I do with it? Buy a bigger house? Faster car? None of that will make me happy.
My wage now has little responsiblity and ok wage. Its Kind of the sweet spot for no kids and no stress vs reward.
It's been one of those reflective years I suppose.
It's the second time I've been, and been a few times to the west of the UK. Always so many adventure sports to do over there.
You just don't get this over here..
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Suspended
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I can relate as lately I have been thinking of sacking London off and moving back to South Wales, It would be more like a 25% pay cut I imagine but i'm pretty certain I would be miles better of financially and probably enjoy live more haha.
London is literally a parody of itself these days,
Property is out of control I seriously cannot fathom how the whole thing hasn't crashed, a merely OK by broad UK terms terraced house in Chelsea is 24x the cost of a house that is in the nicest area of Newport, with 3 stories and a big back garden, period features etc.
It comes to a point where you have to wonder how much more that can go up.
London is literally a parody of itself these days,
Property is out of control I seriously cannot fathom how the whole thing hasn't crashed, a merely OK by broad UK terms terraced house in Chelsea is 24x the cost of a house that is in the nicest area of Newport, with 3 stories and a big back garden, period features etc.
It comes to a point where you have to wonder how much more that can go up.
Once my mortgage is paid off (should be in the next couple of years), I'm getting out of the big smoke. Can't wait. I want more time to do the things that are important to me - money isn't everything.
The only problem is losing out on regular face-to-face contact with close friends - you're essentially starting again. I don't see this being difficult given that my hobbies are pretty social ones for the most part.
If you can stomach it and so long as you are on the property ladder, then working in London for a while and then selling up and moving somewhere cheaper but then living mortgage free in a bigger house means the drop in salary isnt noticable.
Both my current neighbours both did that. They earn much less but bought 5 bedroom high end houses mortgage free for £200k.
Both my current neighbours both did that. They earn much less but bought 5 bedroom high end houses mortgage free for £200k.
It think it's also important to think about future opportunities though. It's all very well taking a pay cut just to move somewhere cheaper but what if you need to change job and there aren't any options particularly local?
It'd be a bit crap to sacrifice this 'better lifestyle' for a massive commute. I'd rather find a compromise.
It'd be a bit crap to sacrifice this 'better lifestyle' for a massive commute. I'd rather find a compromise.
Soldato
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We did it. Moved to the East Midlands from the South East.
Best thing we ever did. Nicer pace of life, better choice of schools, cheaper housing, nicer people.
If I was sent back in time and had the option of Cornwall or Devon, I wouldn't hesitate tbh.
Best thing we ever did. Nicer pace of life, better choice of schools, cheaper housing, nicer people.
If I was sent back in time and had the option of Cornwall or Devon, I wouldn't hesitate tbh.
sold a modern 3 bed semi with a postage stamp size garden in west yorksire and got a 2 bed on a hill side with 3 gardens ,biggest been 150 ft also a sunhouse ,and a utility games room outbuilding , so yeh found out in the sticks was where the cheap stuff was , but im only 15 mins or so from trebarwith strand beach tintagel or port issac
You mention schools, one of the reasons I'd want to stay in the south east with kids is that there will be far more opportunities for them than there would be in Cornwall or the East Midlands. Did you consider that when moving?
London first than Cornwall second makes sense. But I'm already 30 and thus I don't want to be too old to enjoy the things I want to do now.
I don't have to consider dependants luckily if I did I wouldn't be able to move I doubt.
I don't have any friends really to leave, nor any hobbies or family. Only thing I'd be leaving is some money and my job
I don't have to consider dependants luckily if I did I wouldn't be able to move I doubt.
I don't have any friends really to leave, nor any hobbies or family. Only thing I'd be leaving is some money and my job
I took at 30% pay cut, it's all about work/life balance - I'm glad I did it, live somewhere lovely, 4 bed house instead of a 1 bed flat and work is now only 15 mins by car, 25 mins by train away, none of it on motorways
Yes I'll be poorer when I'm older and poorer now, but to be honest it worked out for me.
Yes I'll be poorer when I'm older and poorer now, but to be honest it worked out for me.
Granted jobs are an issue and unlikely you will get one on your doorstep. I have had three jobs living where i am and all three have been an hours commute each way. I could live nearer a city and have less commute but enjoy the 6 acres of grassland and woodland i own and the views overlooking a river in a valley where i can see just one other house.
But then my commute is pretty much traffic free and through some of the most stunning countryside in the country, I dont mind it.
Plus then I see things on tv where people are and hour or more commute in London and they still live in tiny houses/flats with no garden.
There are good schools outside of the south east you know? I managed to get 5 a levels, go to uni, sking trips, gliding club, army cadet corp etc.
Associate
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If it's only a 15% pay cut I'd definitely give it a go if you think you'd like it. What do you have to lose? You could always move back.
I'd echo the comments about holidaying somewhere & living there being completely different though. I lived in the Lake District for a few years, and the summer months when the hoards descended were the worst.
I'd echo the comments about holidaying somewhere & living there being completely different though. I lived in the Lake District for a few years, and the summer months when the hoards descended were the worst.
Soldato
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Opportunities to do what exactly? Stay at home until they are 30 because they can't afford their own place?
We have two of the brightest and best Universities here and a strong, more balanced local economy.
Paying out less on a mortgage means university fees won't be an issue when the time comes.
We live in a nice suburb area with a view over the city. My son goes to amazing school with outstanding Ofsted reports and he's doing great.
In the south the best we could afford on the property ladder is slumville
They have a decent sized garden to play in. Sure beats growing up in a flat like I did.
People talk to us like it was a sad thing us moving. Like "awww is it really that bad". Whilst they themselves are struggling with debt and paying extortionate amounts for property. Absolute mugs game.
People who grow up in the south and refuse to venture north of the Watford gap are missing out.
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Well personally speaking, I have about a 10-15 minute commute with no traffic, I'm surrounded by plenty of countryside, have a house with a decent sized garden and the advantage of being somewhere that is not short of work opportunities at my doorstep and quick, easy access to one of the most active and recognised cities in the world.
You obviously do pay for the privilege of having a a 'similar' lifestyle to that you mention in London and surrounding areas. It's a trade off and there does need to be compromise unless you have very deep pockets! But it doesn't have to be a tiny flat or a concrete jungle.
I for instance, couldn't really do an hour commute each way like you do - having a nice house and lots of land is pointless if you spend all your time asleep or travelling
My point is more that you don't need to take a pay cut to get the lifestyle if you are willing to stick at it and work to achieving the same thing. I'd rather have a more stable and consistent surrounding area with more opportunities for my future and my kids future.
Note: I'm not putting a downer on your's or anyone else's life choices or personal preferences - I know full well that it's possible to exist without being close to London or the South East (hell, I've lived through it) but I enjoy the opportunities it brings and am happy to work at achieving the lifestyle I want in the area I want.
Obviously none of this is relevant if you just want to live in a particular place in the country regardless and are happy to take the pay cut to do so