General Advice Thread

[JammyP]

Got a bit of an awkward decision to make which weirdly I'm consulting GOT about before talking to my wife or family lol, I think it's to try and get a perspective from someone who hasn't got any sort of connection to me...

Been working as a journalist for about 3 years now, I'm only 25, live in Liverpool and have a 10 month old boy. Got a decent salary and the opportunity to travel watching sports when I'm not tied down with family, otherwise I write things like football, formula one, cricket opinion pieces or things like match reports.

Anyway, the dilemma I've got is I've basically been headhunted and offered a permanent contract with The Guardian, which would entail moving to London and uprooting my wife and child, however I would get a 50% increase on my current salary, therefore providing a better life for them money wise. Really stuck with this, a huge decision to make and I don't have any experience of making decisions like this. Of course I'm going to talk to my wife, mum, dad, friends etc etc but I'm just looking for an outside perspective, maybe what you'd do in my position? Cheers.

It's not for ever (that's what I told myself in 1983). In the early modern period (1500-1750) about a third of the English population spent part of their life in London. My advice would be plan to get out of the middle before the boy starts school. PS one of mine went to a Chelsea game with a friend and his dad. I hope he will repent with time, being born not made, but he came back following the money, and supporting the wrong blues. Next time they took him he watched them lose to Bradford at home. Big lad is the only Evertonian in the Parish, apart from his dad. BTW, getting to like his Oh Brother Where Art Thou Barkley away shirt.

Don't be afraid of change. But try to get back when you can and keep in touch with the family.

London is great for Arts, Museums, Parks, food, and a cultural melting pot. It is bloody expensive to live in and to travel around. And there is no peace and quiet.

It almost goes without saying that the decision is for Mrs Robertor. And you did not mention what she does. Sell it as the big adventure. Try not to live south of the river.

 

[Kiwi]

Got a bit of an awkward decision to make which weirdly I'm consulting GOT about before talking to my wife or family lol, I think it's to try and get a perspective from someone who hasn't got any sort of connection to me...

Been working as a journalist for about 3 years now, I'm only 25, live in Liverpool and have a 10 month old boy. Got a decent salary and the opportunity to travel watching sports when I'm not tied down with family, otherwise I write things like football, formula one, cricket opinion pieces or things like match reports.

Anyway, the dilemma I've got is I've basically been headhunted and offered a permanent contract with The Guardian, which would entail moving to London and uprooting my wife and child, however I would get a 50% increase on my current salary, therefore providing a better life for them money wise. Really stuck with this, a huge decision to make and I don't have any experience of making decisions like this. Of course I'm going to talk to my wife, mum, dad, friends etc etc but I'm just looking for an outside perspective, maybe what you'd do in my position? Cheers.

Mention it to your current boss.
"Been approached for a position at the guardian and am going to talk it over with family but thought I'd let you know."
You never know, if they value you they might offer you a better contract to what you're on.
Second, have a look at housing, cost of living e.t.c between Liverpool and London and see how much you'd be making extra if at all after the move.
Is that amount worth unsettling the family e.t.c and moving away from Liverpool. Those would be two things I'd consider doing, family is really important in making that decision though.

 

[RAFUH]

Sake.A particular year or model?

I don't remember for sure, but think it included more recent years.

Chrysler has had a ton of recalls over the last few years. I'd get to googling

 

[The Esk]

Got a bit of an awkward decision to make which weirdly I'm consulting GOT about before talking to my wife or family lol, I think it's to try and get a perspective from someone who hasn't got any sort of connection to me...

Been working as a journalist for about 3 years now, I'm only 25, live in Liverpool and have a 10 month old boy. Got a decent salary and the opportunity to travel watching sports when I'm not tied down with family, otherwise I write things like football, formula one, cricket opinion pieces or things like match reports.

Anyway, the dilemma I've got is I've basically been headhunted and offered a permanent contract with The Guardian, which would entail moving to London and uprooting my wife and child, however I would get a 50% increase on my current salary, therefore providing a better life for them money wise. Really stuck with this, a huge decision to make and I don't have any experience of making decisions like this. Of course I'm going to talk to my wife, mum, dad, friends etc etc but I'm just looking for an outside perspective, maybe what you'd do in my position? Cheers.

Without knowing anything of your wife's and family circumstances I would say go for it. You won't be any better off with a 50% increase in salary as housing costs are so expensive, but in terms of career enhancement and future earnings potential you should do it.

 

[chicoazul]

I don't remember for sure, but think it included more recent years.

Chrysler has had a ton of recalls over the last few years. I'd get to googling

I'm severely put off after reading online reviews now, tar for the info.

 

[WA Toffee]

Got a bit of an awkward decision to make which weirdly I'm consulting GOT about before talking to my wife or family lol, I think it's to try and get a perspective from someone who hasn't got any sort of connection to me...

Been working as a journalist for about 3 years now, I'm only 25, live in Liverpool and have a 10 month old boy. Got a decent salary and the opportunity to travel watching sports when I'm not tied down with family, otherwise I write things like football, formula one, cricket opinion pieces or things like match reports.

Anyway, the dilemma I've got is I've basically been headhunted and offered a permanent contract with The Guardian, which would entail moving to London and uprooting my wife and child, however I would get a 50% increase on my current salary, therefore providing a better life for them money wise. Really stuck with this, a huge decision to make and I don't have any experience of making decisions like this. Of course I'm going to talk to my wife, mum, dad, friends etc etc but I'm just looking for an outside perspective, maybe what you'd do in my position? Cheers.

Do it.
Being headhunted by a national paper is a sign that you are good at what you do. Being published in the Guardian is going to open up more opportunities worldwide than whatever local paper you are currently working for. Journalism is a global industry and could take you anywhere. In 2 years, you could take the safe option, stay at home and be covering Stockport under 21s on a drab Tuesday night, or taking a gamble and covering the US open, Monaco grand prix, Tokyo olympics etc.
Of course, you could end up being a foreign correspondant covering ISIS and get beheaded on the internet, but hey ho - pay your money, take your chances.

 

[caught]

Got a bit of an awkward decision to make which weirdly I'm consulting GOT about before talking to my wife or family lol, I think it's to try and get a perspective from someone who hasn't got any sort of connection to me...

Been working as a journalist for about 3 years now, I'm only 25, live in Liverpool and have a 10 month old boy. Got a decent salary and the opportunity to travel watching sports when I'm not tied down with family, otherwise I write things like football, formula one, cricket opinion pieces or things like match reports.

Anyway, the dilemma I've got is I've basically been headhunted and offered a permanent contract with The Guardian, which would entail moving to London and uprooting my wife and child, however I would get a 50% increase on my current salary, therefore providing a better life for them money wise. Really stuck with this, a huge decision to make and I don't have any experience of making decisions like this. Of course I'm going to talk to my wife, mum, dad, friends etc etc but I'm just looking for an outside perspective, maybe what you'd do in my position? Cheers.

Currently considering a job at Goldsmiths at the moment so I'm in a similar position. 50% is a big jump but, in case you haven't got to the point of checking out costs, an extra 10-15k in London will disappear pretty quickly. Despite that, do it. If in a year you decide to move you'll be in a good position. You'll regret not giving it a go.

 

[Robertor]

@Kiwi @the esk @caught @WA Toffee @JammyP
Cheers for the answers.

To give a bit more detail on points you've brought up... My current employer couldn't offer what The Guardian are offering me, I'd say I'm probably quite high up the scale in terms of job role where I work but it's a much smaller operation compared to a national newspaper, the one I work for at the moment is purely online. There would be no chances of a bargaining position to be had, if the only thing that mattered was the money I'd take the job in a heartbeat.

My wife was a model until she got pregnant and she's not going back into that field at all, but she's got a degree in medicine. She's currently a stay at home mum and I'm pretty sure she'd love living in London, so I don't think she'd have a problem.

Main problem for me is being close to my parents but I lived in Belgium a few years ago as a student and even there i found it a lot easier than expected to keep in touch and visit back home, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Writing it out like this really makes me just think I should go for it, but you can never be really sure I suppose until you do it.

Ive had a phone call with an estate agent about this flat: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-54596858.html which would be affordable for me and seems generally nice in a decent area, would only be renting so there's not as much risk if things didn't work out.

Going to talk to my wife & parents tomorrow and see what they think. Excited at the prospect though to be honest, I think it's one of those things though where you probably need to just go for it and see where it leads you.

Thanks for the help though fellas.

 

[The Esk]

Ive had a phone call with an estate agent about this flat: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-54596858.html which would be affordable for me and seems generally nice in a decent area, would only be renting so there's not as much risk if things didn't work out.

Fantastic location, just two roads down from where I used to live. Just a thought mate, if you moved out a few more stops (Earls Court, Parson's Green for example you would get much more for your money....

 

[Robertor]

Fantastic location, just two roads down from where I used to live. Just a thought mate, if you moved out a few more stops (Earls Court, Parson's Green for example you would get much more for your money....

Will have a look into that, mate. Thanks.