Would you quit your job, relocate and hope for the best?

[fluffyatemycake]

We are looking to relocate but given the distance and that my husband has to give 2 months notice, he is finding it difficult to find a job where we want to relocate to. I work remotely and have been given the all clear to move and keep my job so we are waiting on him as the main breadwinner. We have spent many weekends in this new location (about 3 hours from us) and have fallen in love with the area. We are all desperate to move. Kids included. We have narrowed down the neighbourhood where we want to live, the schools we will be applying to...we have a decent chunk of savings. Would you take the risk and live off your savings to find a job once relocated? We couldn't live off my salary but our savings would cover about a year of rent.

Yes, definitely. DH and I have done it more than once. First time was when I was transferred for work. DH took a job in a call centre, best thing he did as within a month he was promoted then promoted again with in 6 months, the second promotion allowed him to pretty much write his own ticket work wise. The next time we moved overseas, DH found a job fairly quickly. Last time was this year, very different situation though as DH was offered an amazing job opportunity which he probably would never had got if we hadn’t had made the first move.

I'd be reluctant to burn through my savings to facilitate if I didn't have a house as you're basically spending your potential deposit. Therefore I'd make sure that DH is prepared to take any job to reduce cash burn before committing.

I've done this twice, moving countries each time. It was well worth it, but it did burn quite a lot of savings at the time. Sometimes you just have to take a risk though!

You only have one life so I would say do it. When you are brave and take some risk , you make space for new things to come into your life. If you don't make the space ie stay where you are, you will never know what possibilities there are for you. When you make a decision like this, you know all the things that you are leaving, but you don't know the new thins that lie ahead. Therefore you tend to cling to them for security. I would jump into the next stage of your life .
I have moved continents twice. First time by myself and second time with partner and kids. Both times scary and totally outside my comfort zone. Its not all easy but wonderful experiences and opportunities have come my way because of being brave. Imagine yourself in an old peoples home at the end of your life. What would that version of yourself be advising you to do?
Good luck!

I worked in higher education for 30 years. If my memory serves me correct lower grade admin jobs did come up sometimes but both managers in the depts I worked in had been there forever and a day. DH is now working in his third University post, he is a Prof and in 25 years there have been four managers in his dept.

Is this because you can afford housing more easily in the area you want to relocate to as well as just liking it?

Plus as in Wales what is their stance on Welsh language requirements? What do the adverts specify?

I have had two total relocations once when single and once almost married but had jobs to go to each time at different Universities.

What would your mortgage potential be if he ended up in a much lower paid job for quite a while and it was based on those joint incomes.

@pooonastick

You only have one life so I would say do it. When you are brave and take some risk , you make space for new things to come into your life. If you don't make the space ie stay where you are, you will never know what possibilities there are for you. When you make a decision like this, you know all the things that you are leaving, but you don't know the new thins that lie ahead. Therefore you tend to cling to them for security. I would jump into the next stage of your life . I have moved continents twice. First time by myself and second time with partner and kids. Both times scary and totally outside my comfort zone. Its not all easy but wonderful experiences and opportunities have come my way because of being brave. Imagine yourself in an old peoples home at the end of your life. What would that version of yourself be advising you to do? Good luck!

@pooonastick love this!

I personally wouldn't. I would want a job lined up first. I am very risk averse though!

No not if your job isn’t enough to cover outgoings; i wouldn’t want to use my savings for that. If he struggling to find a job then you don’t have a guarantee when/if he will and that’s too much of a risk. We’ve relocated twice and it’s been hard work but we’ve always secured jobs first

Does your DH speak Welsh? Even if this isn't a mandatory requirement for university jobs, it could be a significant advantage for candidates who do (and so a disadvantage for your DH if he doesn't).

If you were moving anywhere else in the UK, I'd say go for it and take the chance. But speaking Welsh in public sector Wales is, rightly, an important and valued skill. A non-Welsh-speaking English person (assuming this is your DH) might find it hard to compete with local candidates.

If you do not move, you will always be thinking what if ?

It's not much of a risk if you have some savings behind you, surely? Just go for it!

@OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias

Does your DH speak Welsh? Even if this isn't a mandatory requirement for university jobs, it could be a significant advantage for candidates who do (and so a disadvantage for your DH if he doesn't).

If you were moving anywhere else in the UK, I'd say go for it and take the chance. But speaking Welsh in public sector Wales is, rightly, an important and valued skill. A non-Welsh-speaking English person (assuming this is your DH) might find it hard to compete with local candidates.

This is exactly what I was thinking

Seems like you have it covered from a financial perspective in that you can pay your way however it turns out. Take the leap if you're all onboardwhat have you got to loose. Your DH might find his skills are transferable to another sector anyway.
Life's to short to have all work and no play, enjoy life with less pressure.

I’d do it.

On the proviso he would really take any job to make ends meet if he doesn’t get a job in his preferred career.

Life’s too short to hang around.

@fluffyatemycake many universities are currently advertising fixed term posts via temp agencies like UniTemps. Your DH could do worse than contacting one near your proposed location, and taking temporary university work. He wouldn't be the first person to find a maternity cover or remp. post became permanent.

@OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias

Does your DH speak Welsh? Even if this isn't a mandatory requirement for university jobs, it could be a significant advantage for candidates who do (and so a disadvantage for your DH if he doesn't).

If you were moving anywhere else in the UK, I'd say go for it and take the chance. But speaking Welsh in public sector Wales is, rightly, an important and valued skill. A non-Welsh-speaking English person (assuming this is your DH) might find it hard to compete with local candidates.

Yes we have all learned basic Welsh in preparation (even the children) and are continuing to learn. We are looking at South Wales where it's mostly English speaking but did consider it might be a requirement for jobs to speak basic Welsh and we have all been competing on Duolingo.