Slight change in career....working in another country

malachi

malachi

malachi

Soldato
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I am 32 (so still young :) ). My current job involves me doing 2nd and 3rd line IT support for a UK based organization. Been there for about nearly 7 years, pays about 32k year, I work anytime I want between 8am and 6pm (flexitime) no weekend work and overtime is rarely required. But sometimes when projects go wrong, we get dumped with all the work and spend days or weeks sorting the mess out. I thought this would change throughout the years but it has not and I am starting to get fed up.
I am single, don’t have any kids, I do have a mortgage but apart from that I don’t have any debts. So you could say compared to many people around my own age I have it very cushy.

But I started to realise now I want abit more out of life too and don’t want to just do what the British culture expects you to do. Be born, go through the education system, get a job (busting silly hours just to make ends meet like some), find a partner, buy a house, start a family etc, then……….retire. I want to do a lot more than that. So perhaps it’s a good idea to relocate to another country for a few years and work aboard, simply a change of environment.

I’m not going to drop everything and move to another country without thinking about it carefully. I won’t put this into action for another 3 years (reasons explained below) but I want to be prepared if I decide to.

I'm wont be leaving the UK with nothing and I want to stay working in IT. At least within the technology side of things. Now Microsoft have released some Windows 10 exams, I am going to study and get certs in that. At least past one exam before the end of the year. Also I want to do Server 2016 certs if Microsoft ever create exams for them. If they don’t or take too long, then I will do Server 2012 R2 instead. All of this will be self-funded by me.

I want to take 10k with me (British pounds) when I move aboard, I already have 2k in my savings account which took me 4 months, as I put £600 a month in there. So saving another 8k over 3 years shouldn’t be a problem. I want to find a job aboard first before I consider leaving. I have been overpaying my mortgage for a few years and I have spoking to my mortgage company and I can go without paying my mortgage for 12 months without falling behind in payments. At least then if anything goes wrong I can take a payment break. I am not going to sell my house as I want something to always come back to.

Over the past 3 years I have traveled to a few countries. France, Spain, Germany, Serbia, Portugal, Italy, Hungry, Belgium, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Dubai and many others. So I do have an idea of what it’s like going to other countries, especially countries not populated by the British tourism. But living and working there can be a different story.

I have spoken to a few friends about this and their default answer is Australia or Dubai. I haven’t been to Australia as it doesn’t interest me. I know many people from the UK go to work there because it’s basically a mirror image of the UK but I am not looking for that. If I was then I might aswell work in London. As for Dubai, many work there for the tax free reason and I’m not looking to move, just to top up my bank account so I can buy sports cars and boast.

So has anyone done this before, worth doing, taking the risk? Tips and advice will be helpful. Thanks.
 
Having been to Australia I don't regard it as a 'mirror image' of the UK. There are some similarities obviously (developed nation, English speaking, some shared cultural interests such as music, sport etc, similar corporate structure) but there are other differences (more outdoor living, hotter summers etc) and obviously closer to UK than many other nations. It is very expensive however, even more so for people wanting to convert GBP (£10k is under AUD17000 now - probably 6 months living expenses at the most in metropolitan areas).
 
Check out Scandinavia, lots of opportunities for native English speakers in the IT sector, both startups and more established companies. Close to UK and cheap to visit (friends & family). Work/life balance is regarded as extremely important and hence why Copenhagen is consistently considered the happiest place to live. Downsides include high taxes (got to pay for the social benefits somehow) and mediocre weather (much like UK, but colder winters typically). Remember the pound is rubbish at the moment so you might lose out when converting to local currency.

I've been living and working here for around 5 years and haven't looked back. Feel free to ask any questions.
 
Kreeeee said:
I wanted to move there. Never move somewhere just for a job as work is one of the least important things in life.
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I moved to Switzerland for a job...

I'd move again for my job, too. I chose Switzerland though, and chose the job. I wouldn't wait 3 years. I don't get the point in your exams, you can do them anywhere. If you want to go, do it.
I've been here 5 years now. I'm probably going to be moving again soon, but I have a family (wife, 3 kids and a dog) and I have no issue upping and moving somewhere, so you should find it easy.
 
randomshenans said:
I don't get the point in your exams, you can do them anywhere. If you want to go, do it.
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Because there is only one exam which has been written for Windows 10 and that's in beta but I can still take it get a cert. There will be more exams to follow but they haven't been written yet.

Yes I can do the exams anywhere but I want to be guaranteed I can pay for them while still employed in a decent job here in the UK. I cant just up and leave because my mortgage wont pay for itself, if I don't get a job or have enough money for my mortgage and living away then I am going to struggle. I don't have anyone to fall back on apart from myself. If I leave with upto date certs then I become more employable, compared to the average Joe as competition in the IT sector is bad enough.

Unfortunately I'm not the 21 year old who can up and leave, do bar work and if it doesn't work out, shrug their shoulders and move back home to mummy and daddy for support.
 
My point being, you can apply for a job while you're in the UK, find someone to rent your property, all before leaving. With regards to struggling in the job market, it really depends on where you're looking to go.

I have no one to fall back on either, I'm the primary source of income for our family.
 
randomshenans said:
My point being, you can apply for a job while you're in the UK, find someone to rent your property, all before leaving.
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^^^ this

I also don't see the point in waiting 3 years, you'll be looking for a pay rise too no doubt and presumably some free accommodation for the first couple of months. If you've already made overpayments and have savings then not much to worry about (though why anyone would overpay a mortgage at the moment given how low interest rates are does baffle me).
 
May be biased because I lived there four years but I would recommend Hong Kong. The money is good, the tax is <10%, it's smack in the middle of SE Asia so you can do Vietnam/Thailand/Philippines/Taiwan/Myanmar etc weekend trips easily. The 12-hour flight is just about do-able to get back home for a weekend (did it a few times). English is an official language and life is just generally easy.

Germany is just a better quality of life than the UK. People enjoy life more here, property is cheap, there's no 'London Problem', sensible work life balance is supreme. Really need to learn the lingo a bit though (government will pay towards courses).

I wouldn't go to Dubai....it just seems to be a place that people go to endure for a few years and rake in the money. At least in Hong Kong you get the money and an amazing vibrant city to live in.

I wouldn't wait 3 years if I was you. I first moved abroad on my 30th birthday...been 6 years now! Really wish I'd gone sooner. Just start applying for roles in HK if it interests you.

For reference I was working at lead programmer level role in the banks in HK, and was taking home over 7K GBP per month, net.
 
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dowie said:
^^^ this

I also don't see the point in waiting 3 years, you'll be looking for a pay rise too no doubt and presumably some free accommodation for the first couple of months. If you've already made overpayments and have savings then not much to worry about (though why anyone would overpay a mortgage at the moment given how low interest rates are does baffle me).
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On the mortgage rate I am on at the moment its best to overpay. Had the mortgage for 5 years, been over paying for 3 years. So might aswell :)

I will put my house to rent but I need to move mortgage companies etc before I can do that (legally) which could cost abit.

mid_gen said:
May be biased because I lived there four years but I would recommend Hong Kong. The money is good, the tax is <10%, it's smack in the middle of SE Asia so you can do Vietnam/Thailand/Philippines/Taiwan/Myanmar etc weekend trips easily. The 12-hour flight is just about do-able to get back home for a weekend (did it a few times). English is an official language and life is just generally easy.

Germany is just a better quality of life than the UK. People enjoy life more here, property is cheap, there's no 'London Problem', sensible work life balance is supreme. Really need to learn the lingo a bit though (government will pay towards courses).

I wouldn't go to Dubai....it just seems to be a place that people go to endure for a few years and rake in the money. At least in Hong Kong you get the money and an amazing vibrant city to live in.

I wouldn't wait 3 years if I was you. I first moved abroad on my 30th birthday...been 6 years now! Really wish I'd gone sooner. Just start applying for roles in HK if it interests you.

For reference I was working at lead programmer level role in the banks in HK, and was taking home over 7K GBP per month, net.
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Thanks. I will look at HK and the jobs they provide. I did enjoy it when I spent a week there 3 years ago. Looking around, Germany and Switzerland are looking to be good places but I will investigate further.

The main reason for waiting 3 years is simply saving enough money. I have 2K now but that wont get me very far. Especially if I decide to put my house up to rent.
 
malachi said:
Thanks. I will look at HK and the jobs they provide. I did enjoy it when I spent a week there 3 years ago. Looking around, Germany and Switzerland are looking to be good places but I will investigate further.

The main reason for waiting 3 years is simply saving enough money. I have 2K now but that wont get me very far. Especially if I decide to put my house up to rent.
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It doesn't take much to get setup in HK, just enough for the first month's serviced apartment or whatever until you get your first paycheque.

32k GBP you're on now? With 7 years exp you should be able to land roles in HK that'll give you double the take home, easily. If you want to move, just go ahead and do it, you're losing out by sitting around counting pennies in the UK.
 
randomshenans said:
I moved to Switzerland for a job...

I'd move again for my job, too. I chose Switzerland though, and chose the job. I wouldn't wait 3 years. I don't get the point in your exams, you can do them anywhere. If you want to go, do it.
I've been here 5 years now. I'm probably going to be moving again soon, but I have a family (wife, 3 kids and a dog) and I have no issue upping and moving somewhere, so you should find it easy.
Click to expand...

Kreeeee said:
I wanted to move there. Never move somewhere just for a job as work is one of the least important things in life.
Click to expand...

I don't wish to derail the thread but I'd just like to know what cantons you guys are in and how you find it? Moving to Switzerland is one thing I've been thinking about, mainly for quant roles.
 
mid_gen said:
It doesn't take much to get setup in HK, just enough for the first month's serviced apartment or whatever until you get your first paycheque.

32k GBP you're on now? With 7 years exp you should be able to land roles in HK that'll give you double the take home, easily. If you want to move, just go ahead and do it, you're losing out by sitting around counting pennies in the UK.
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Yes, that's nice to know for HK. I always thought it be expensive.
 
Ammo1337 said:
I don't wish to derail the thread but I'd just like to know what cantons you guys are in and how you find it? Moving to Switzerland is one thing I've been thinking about, mainly for quant roles.
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I'm in Fribourg and I love it here. I would never move to Geneva or Zurich though as I think they're horrible places to live in and don't represent Switzerland at all.

Lots of expats life those cities though as you never have to bother integrating or leaning the local language there.
 
malachi said:
Yes, that's nice to know for HK. I always thought it be expensive.
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HK is as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. If you live in Mid-Levels, eat Western food in Soho and drink Stella in the hotel rooftop bars and Lan Kwai Fong, it's expensive.

If you live in a local neighbourhood, eat in dai pai dongs, and drink at club 7-11, it costs peanuts.

I went for a happy medium, 2 years living in Hung Hom on Kowloon side in a nice modern apartment complex with pool, gym etc, then 2 years living in a smaller apartment on the island not far from Causeway Bay without the fancy amenities. Usually drink in TST or Wan Chai, eat at any of the cheap places nearby.

I can't recommend HK enough if you want to experience life abroad. It felt like a 4 year holiday! Although I did work some long hours sometimes....it never got old seeing that skyline.
 
Kreeeee said:
I'm in Fribourg and I love it here. I would never move to Geneva or Zurich though as I think they're horrible places to live in and don't represent Switzerland at all.

Lots of expats life those cities though as you never have to bother integrating or leaning the local language there.
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Would say that's a massive generalization. There are some great places in / around/ both cities and they both offer some great jobs with the banking/ IT sectors strong there.

I am in Basel Stadt, but live just over the border in France. I'm thinking about making the most back over the Swiss border though.
 
How did you guys go about applying for jobs, did you apply from the UK first then went over or you applied when you moved after?

Any particular websites you used for international jobs?
 
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