Isle of Man - Potential Move

m4cc45

m4cc45

m4cc45

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Joined
10 Mar 2003
Posts
6,790
Hi,

I've been offered a job for one of the biggest employers on the island. It seems a good opportunity but looking for any advice especially if you've done it.

I started to draw up a list of pros and cons:

Pros
  • Moving allowance of between 4-5k
  • Lovely place and pace of life
  • Everywhere commutable in 40ish minutes
  • Potential for cycling into work / walking into work
  • Cheaper car insurance and no MOT required
  • They have offered training in areas I'd like and it would help me progress
  • TT / Rallys / Unrestricted speed on some roads
Cons
  • More expensive for rent, shopping, petrol, bills (no competition for utilities)
  • I would have to sell or rent my house
  • Could be very isolating - to get to the UK would either be a plane or boat / £90 ish on the plane and £170 ish to take a car (return)
  • I could, potentially, have to pay for mortgage and rent and bills in both the UK and IOM
  • Moving on, job wise, might be an issue as there's not a massive amount of companies out there to move to so if you didn't get a job at a competitor that might be it and I'd have to move back to the mainland with no moving budget (as there is an abundance of IT people in the UK)
  • TT - noise and bike may end up in the living room
Anything I've missed?


Thanks!


M.
 
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It's up to you, but I wouldn't be able to do it. That place is deader than a doornail apart from the TT. If you enjoy the quiet life then it might be perfect for you :)
 
Wow - when I was little (probably was about 30 years ago now) we spend a couple of weeks on the IoM and I don't think the entire cost of the accommodation and return on the ferry with the car even came to £170 total then lol.
 
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Do you have a partner/kids to consider? Schools, health care etc....

I guess if you want a quieter life, better career prospects, wet weather, and single then its a good move.

A friend of mine regularly has to go there for work (flies from Manchester I think). She says its okay to visit but they wouldn't move.
 
True :) Though it would probably be a for and against. Great to watch but the noise and potential bike smashing into the side of your house may be a downside.



M.
 
I know someone who moved over there. I visited a couple of times. They moved back in the end.

It's really dreary over there. Even as someone who lives in a semi-rural village in County Durham I found the IOM to be a bit "Deliverance-ish".

I guess it depends how much of an opportunity the job is.

You can always come back....... Rent out your place over here then you have a fall back option.
 
Must admit it's some were I would like to go - just for the peace and quiet and sceanery.

Apparently the cost of living is scary - but it's about the same as London ish?

I have a friend who lives and works there - I can ask him any specific questions if you have any?
 
I was born on the island and lived there until I was 29. My folks and family still live there.

Do you have a partner thats coming with you? If so, they need to be 100% on board. My wifes from the UK and she couldnt stick it for long over there. Slower pace of life, missing family and general cliqueiness / nosiness.

Presume work will sort your work permit out? It used to be quite difficult to get one if there was a suitable manx person that could also fill the role. If you move to another job, I think you need to re-apply for the work permit again (might be wrong)

Council tax was cheap, about a tenth of what it is over here (that was a shock when I moved to the UK!)

Oh yes, everyone is quite keen to know your business.
 
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Completley forgot about this - but as it looks like it may happen I'm back!

I'm now single so no partner. I don't need a work permit as I work in IT so I'm exempt for now! I don't mind nosiness to a degree - I will be on my own so getting to know people would be a must!

I mostly spend time on my PC when I get home as it is and every 4/5 weeks head back up North (originally from Stoke) to meet friends. I've factored this into the cost of living over there so it should work well.



M.
 
Bringing this back from the dead to see how you got on?

We have family on the Isle of Man and are considering relocating there, would probably take my job with me if they allow it (I already work remotely).
 
m4cc45 said:
Hi,

I've been offered a job for one of the biggest employers on the island. It seems a good opportunity but looking for any advice especially if you've done it.

I started to draw up a list of pros and cons:

Pros
  • Moving allowance of between 4-5k
  • Lovely place and pace of life
  • Everywhere commutable in 40ish minutes
  • Potential for cycling into work / walking into work
  • Cheaper car insurance and no MOT required
  • They have offered training in areas I'd like and it would help me progress
  • TT / Rallys / Unrestricted speed on some roads
Cons
  • More expensive for rent, shopping, petrol, bills (no competition for utilities)
  • I would have to sell or rent my house
  • Could be very isolating - to get to the UK would either be a plane or boat / £90 ish on the plane and £170 ish to take a car (return)
  • I could, potentially, have to pay for mortgage and rent and bills in both the UK and IOM
  • Moving on, job wise, might be an issue as there's not a massive amount of companies out there to move to so if you didn't get a job at a competitor that might be it and I'd have to move back to the mainland with no moving budget (as there is an abundance of IT people in the UK)
  • TT - noise and bike may end up in the living room
Anything I've missed?


Thanks!


M.
Click to expand...


Could well be a good opportunity,

My parents moved over 20 years ago, dad works in IT for a large corp over there.

Both my sisters with the their other halfs and families also relocated with work over there.

They all love it.

Im over there next week to catch the TT Classics and do a bit of marshaling.

If my wife could get a job over there we would relocate, not much call for an Oil & Gas GIS Specialist there though :(
 
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