Moving to Sydney?

[megakid]

Hi all,

Just asking for a little advice or common sense please... I've been at a new company for just 3 months now (working in London) which originated from Sydney and it quickly became clear that they were on the look out for developers in Sydney. They've had no luck so have now extended the offer to all developers in London (such as me) to relocate to Sydney for a minimum of a year - Today I was asked directly if I was interested in doing such a thing and I turned it down without much thought but tonight I've been thinking I was a bit hasty. I've never been to Australia, or even Asia for that matter, due to me chasing a good career and education but I've heard it's a great place to go. I'm only 23 so not many ties (I will get to that) and have a good career ahead of me (hopefully) and I cant help but think this will aid my personal development as well as give me a great life experience - an opportunity that if I turn down I may regret later.
My parents both live in Spain and I know they will be sad to see me go all the way around the world but I don't think that is stopping me. I also believe that my friends I have here are for life and would be here for me when I return.

One of the only things stopping me is, of course...her. My girlfriend and I have been seeing each other for 18 months now and I feel a lot for her - she's adventurous and I know doesn't want to spend her life in London (she started her career at the same time as me, in London, 18 months ago - when we first met). Regardless of whether she is ready to move on from London (She isn't) - I know we aren't at the stage where she would move over there with me and it would be an extremely long distance relationship which I doubt would last (?). The only issue between us is that we haven't been 100% together in that 18 months - we live separately and see each other most evenings during the week after work and during lunch but weekends is a different story, bar one or two weekends, she spends a lot of time with friends - because of this, I spend a lot of time with mine - I have to admit, it's great at times but others I just want to be with her and it doesn't seem to be an option at times.

So what would you do? How do people make these sort of moves?? I guess with a girlfriend you just don't or am I missing something?

 

[megakid]

I'm working in Sydney for 3 months at the moment (and probably another 3 early next year) so can probably give you some advice.

It's a great place, lots to see and do....

Hi there,

Thanks for all the words of wisdom in this thread - it's definitely made me think more about it.

I contacted my co-ordinator and I think he is as keen as I am. To be honest, despite having a really nice gf here at the moment, knowing that I'd probably be leaving her behind to go there, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited at the prospect. I would miss the in-jokes with my mates but I know they'll be here when I get back and my firm is calling it a "short-term placement 1 to 2 years".

I think there's a relocation budget that gets paid in part when I leave and the rest when I return to London so at least I know my job will be safe when I get back. I'll be interested when I get my first contact from HR to bash through the contract. At the current exchange rate I'd be on around $100k AUD which I think is rather high given their average is $59k AUD for my position - according to a random googled website - So I'm not sure if I'd keep my salary - another thing to think about! I'd also like to negotiate some other benefits like X many flights home but I'm not sure if that'll happen

Well - looking forward to it now, apart from the difficult chat with the gf (oh...and parents, nearly forgot) - wish me luck!

 

[megakid]

I'd say a couple of things. Where I work there are plenty of opperunities to travel (including Sydney actually ). I'd say that you are in a stronger negotiating position than you might think you are. Most over the age of 28 are probably in a relationship that is pretty serious - which acts a deterent against moving abroad for a decent period of time. So I'd try and push them for exactly what you want, if you want your GF to fly over ever quarter push for that.

From the salary you quote, 41k in £ is *excellent* for a 23 year old!

Hi and thank you - If anyone has made a move like this, can anyone tell me if it is usual to expect a pay cut? I'm not going for the money because I know the experience alone will pay me a lot more than any salary but knowing what to expect would be nice
I never thought I would get this opportunity - especially so quickly (I've only been at the firm for 3 months) - but I am prepared to move with the times and be quick with my decisions. The good thing I suppose is leaving this place behind during these next few years of economic hardship might be a good idea anyway! "Batton down the hatches" and all that jazz

For me one worry (we're UK based) is "out of sight out of mind" which might make it tricky for promotion, but if your company is Aussy based it might be the opposite - saying you've spent some time at HO might really help you out.

Apart from the GF issue I can't see many issues or reasons for you not to give it ago.

Good luck with whatever you decide fella

The company is Sydney based so it would be working in the head office. I completely agree with your argument - my previous firm's head office was in New York so by working in London you felt slightly less important but not noticeably so (since they had a huge London office anyway), however, my new firm, based in Sydney, is far far smaller with most of the high up management still based in Sydney so managerial and project assignment preferences are more noticeable.

 

[megakid]

Megakid I haven't but a fair few of my friends have, on average they say there's a temporary pay increase (many get benefits like free accomodation and a relocation allowance). In the longer term if they decide to stay, they tend to drop slightly behind what they "think" they would have been on back at home. At your age, on top of salary and experiance issues you probably have stack load of training requirements, which, you transfer for a year will be hard to satisfy. Depending on what type of development work you do, it takes a couple of years before you can be called compitent at what you do. Chopping and changing comes at the price of perhaps not having a solid training in a specific area. I'd look to make sure any "personal development plan" or whatever your company calls it will be matched by the Sydney office.

Hi there,

Funny because I've never really thought about my PDP (personal development plan) being very high on the list of priorities. Having said that, I wouldn't call myself competent in all areas of my job - after a degree, it is all based on experience. There isn't many training courses or certifications that add value to C# development (my current area) - however if I was going to focus more on the finance side of things there's the CFA and other such courses that would aid my knowledge a lot - I feel thats something I would like to do in sometime but not yet. I know my firm would support me if I chose to do that.

Do it man, i'm hoping to head off to NZ next year!

However, if you are in Sydney make sure to stay away from my ideal Sydney home

http://www.open2view.com.au/Property/50719?key=bab2008f461398c17c7b&search_id=806211

Cheers for the link

That looks amazing - I want! ... Although it would just be me so every night I'd have to pick a new bedroom to sleep in...

 

[megakid]

Quick update - I was offered the role in writing today. They've given me my salary in AUD and start date (Mid Feb) - just got to make the decision now!!

Ergh...It all became serious!

 

[megakid]

how much?

It's around the same as I was expecting (see above), plus a few months accommodation and living expenses. I am planning to negotiate a few things but all in all I'm pretty pleased with the offer. After all, it's not all about money.

Blah I am secretly really excited but it's hard to leave my girlfriend behind here - as you said though, if it was meant to last and we can get through this period then I'd say it's a pretty solid relationship The ultimate test...

 

[megakid]

Looks like you guys want me gone then

Thanks for the encouragement - not that I need much!

 

[megakid]

I'm out of here - applied for the second half of my 2 year VISA a few days ago (shouldn't be any issues) and flights are pencilled in for the 1st of March

Cya soon all!

 

[megakid]

It really pees me off when people get these great opportunities to go and work and live in another country and starting whinging. There are other folks (like me) who would give their balls to do it but can't due to no qualifications and things.

I'm hardly whinging - Just a more difficult decision that it initially appears hence why I posted to get an outside perspective. I enjoyed my life in London and was making great progress w.r.t. my career and others things (love life [looked for a better word here] etc). If you were in the same position, e.g. probably giving up a beautiful girlfriend and knowing you wouldn't see your best mates for years, then you would think twice too.

And if you need qualifications, go get some