Taking a pay cut to live where you want?

Arthur Hucksake said:
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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Oh I agree, and thanks to growing up in the South East I've had opportunities that I don't think I'd have had if I'd been a teenager growing up elsewhere. I lived in Germany for 5 years and been able to work for some amazing companies who are predominately based down here because that is where the telco/tech companies are based generally. I wouldn't count where a University is, because people don't generally go to Uni where they grew up do they?

Anyway, it was only a polite question - I'm sure the education system is great but generally it is what comes after that is the problem isn't it?
 
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Worst that happens is that you move back in a few years?
Yeah it might be a bit scarey but see how it goes.
You will regret it for the rest of your life if you dint try.
 
Six6siX said:
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 :p

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 :p
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Oh thats my choice. There are lots of nice places close to where i work but i dont want to move so happy with the hours commute.

but hours at work are short so have plenty of down time. And Id rather drive an hour where the only traffic is sheep than an hour in traffic jams near a city anyway.
 
Greebo said:
Oh thats my choice. There are lots of nice places close to where i work but i dont want to move so happy with the hours commute.

but hours at work are short so have plenty of down time. And Id rather drive an hour where the only traffic is sheep than an hour in traffic jams near a city anyway.
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True, you can't beat a good drive on some country roads even if it is a commute!
 
MonkeyMan said:
I take it this is the first time you've been to Cornwall?

If so probably best to visit a few more times before making a decision, particularly when it's in full tourist season.

I used to visit for work and while I enjoyed the view on the drive down (always seemed to be sunny ) the traffic in Summer got pretty frustrating, it's constant caravan blockades! :o
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can be frustrating when i get an early finish in launceston and theres a massive tailback on the a30 temple improvement scheme , so i use the camelford route instead but 22mile still quicker than my old 3 mile west yorkshire route.
think im becoming quite annoying cos i tell everybody i talk to how amazing it is to live down here ,went to polzeath at 6pm last night for a bodyboard and it felt no differant than when i was on my holls apart from thinking wow i can do this as often as i want
 
Paycut is not the issue - consider whether or not you're getting a lifestyle cut.

Is lifestyle improved by the move (taking into account the associated costs, including less income and any potential housing costs saving)? If so, do it.

Only other thing to consider is whether the area can support your career to the extent of allowing for future goals (family etc).
 
Greebo said:
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.
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This. I plan on taking the pain of living near London for a while, and then later moving away to a cheaper area but using the significant reduction in, or complete removal of my mortgage to offset what will be a reduction in earnings too.

Net result will be equal or better net earnings, but hopefully a better quality of life too.
 
I'm earning about I third of what I was on before moving into the games industry a few years back. Lovely penthouse apartment 5 mins walk to the studio, 10 mins on the tram to the altstadt and river.

It's a no-brainer for me. Go where your quality of life is going to be best. Sure I'm snowboarding in Serbia instead of Japan but it's a small price to pay :D
 
What I've done. Let London to move to NZ and so much happier.

Spoke to my brother last night. Him and his GF still in London. Both on more money than God has and owns two homes freehold, mortgage free but so unhappy he could cry. Told him just to sell up and retire already. He's 33 btw.

So yeah, I done it and it was the right decision for me.
 
Bit of a thread resurrection but that's cool right?

Been thinking about this more and more. Currently finishing up the 2nd year of my 2nd degree with another year and then post-grad to go. I'd imagine I'll always be on a good wage but seeing all this money come in is not as satisfying as I remember it being. I save pretty much 50-70% of my income and been thinking about;

1) moving back to the UK and buying somewhere in Cornwall (unlikely)
2) Staying in NZ and moving somewhere coastal outside a big city.

Another 2-3 years of saving like I'm doing now and I'll be mortgage free and not yet 40.

Actually thinking about doing another degree or at least diploma in drafting or something I can work from home with and just enjoy a beachy/rural lifestyle for a while.

Anyway, interesting reading everyone's posts and thoughts.
 
You should at least visit in the winter first. I've holidayed in far West Cornwall every October and March since I was a kid and it's invariably miserable weather wise. Fortunately for me I've learnt to prefer it that way.
 
bobbyspangles said:
You should at least visit in the winter first. I've holidayed in far West Cornwall every October and March since I was a kid and it's invariably miserable weather wise. Fortunately for me I've learnt to prefer it that way.
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That goes for everywhere though.
Here the summer sucks and the winter blows! May as well have one with extra fun
 
Kreeeee said:
Eh? Not here.

I ride my motorbike through the mountain passes and swim in the lakes in summer, and ski and ice skate on the same mountains and lakes in winter.

Autumn is a bit boring though I'll give you that :p
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You aren't in the UK! :p
 
True, it just seems worse in Cornwall. We always seem to leave home in Oxfordshire in warm autumn sunshine to arrive in Penzance to driving rain and wind, or thick fog. :p

On that note, were down there next week and it's looking bleak!
 
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The only thing I'd say about Cornwall is - Those roads you love driving on because they are small and twisty, they will probably be your commute to work, or to the shops, or wherever. Things take forever to get to and from in Cornwall, especially in summer and holidays when the roads are rammed with cars.:p

EDIT: Oh yeah, and the weather. Lots of rain and wind. :p

(Lived in Plymouth for 4 years and spent a fair amount of time going to places in Cornwall).
 
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