Should I move abroad with work?

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Apologies for the length of the post, I'm rambling a bit but it feels helpful to get it all out there. TLDR at the bottom.

I've been working in finance for just over two years. The work is pretty stressful and the hours are long, although things have been a lot better recently given the current economic environment. Regardless, I'm very burnt out and know I don't want to stay in the job or industry long term. My current plan is to stay for a bit longer, take things as easy as possible, and figure out what my next move is, probably outside of finance.

However, one of my seniors recently suggested I look at moving internally to get better exposure and experience, and I'm now considering moving abroad (most likely to the US) for 1-2 years. I'd keep the same role but move location. I think it would be a good thing for my career and myself more generally, but I've gotten so burnt out that it all seems very overwhelming and I'm really struggling to see how I get the 'spark' back, if that makes any sense?

I've spent hours on pro/con lists over this decision and all my friends and family are fed up with hearing about it. I'd really appreciate any thoughts or advice from anyone on here!

Also, if anyone has any practical tips on recovering from burnout, that aren't just taking a long period of time off, those would also be very gratefully received!

Below are some pros/cons of mine, although it's not an extensive list for each.

TLDR - feeling very burnt out, getting by doing the bare minimum at work. Considering moving abroad but it feels a bit overwhelming. Would you stay in the current boring but easy role or move for something more exciting but also a lot more effort?

Stick with current job

• I'm well respected in the team so generally get to work on the more interesting projects and have the ability to push back on things


• I know how the team works and how to do my specific job, so things are relatively easy for me, although I have just been promoted so will be picking up new responsibilities


• Work is really quiet and I'm still mostly WFH. Right now, I'm working a few hours each day and getting a lot of time to go for walks, to the gym, reading books, generally taking things easy


• I'm not sure there's much more for me to learn in this exact role and I am bored in the job


• I don't want to stick with the easiest option out of laziness, although I think I need to be a bit kinder to myself re burn out


• Always wanted to live abroad and this seems like an easy way to do it (job already lined up, company will help pay for moving costs & subsidise accommodation initially)


• No responsibilities tying me to the UK so might be a good time to go for it


• Feel like a fresh start might be good for me, both professionally and personally


• Work will be much more intense and I won't get away with doing the bare minimum anymore. I'll have to prove myself to the team and US finance culture is much more intense


• Although I want a fresh start, will that really fix anything? e.g. I'm feeling a bit lonely in London but it's hardly like I'm going to become a massive extrovert just by moving abroad

I would definitely go! I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't. It will reinvigorate your life.

I wouldn't go to the states

Nope I used to work for a US company. A very hard working colleague went over for a stint and reported back that the car park was full at 6am
And it was very much expected that you're on call pretty much 24 hrs a day.

Weekends were free but filled with work socials.

I'd only do it if you loved your job and your company.

Go!! I dream of having this opportunity but I’m tied here until my child turns 18. A change will help you to grow in ways you can’t anticipate. New environment is a great thing (I think). Not having ties here is a huge bonus.

Re feeling lonely in London, I fee the same, however, I find it much easier to meet people abroad - depending on the country, some are just more open.

if it goes tits up, you can always come back.

I'd look carefully into which US state you'd be moving to as your experience (and living costs) could vary wildly based on location. You say you'd be keeping the same role, but you need to understand what salary they'd pay you - you need to factor in health insurance costs and the cost of living where you'd be moving to. Also whether the company would help you secure a place to live and a car since you'd have no US credit history.

Thank you for the response!

Your comment has made me realise how I could have summarised my initial post in a few sentences (oops!). The ultimate question I have is, given burn out, would moving abroad reinvigorate my life or just exacerbate all the stress I have at the moment?

It's very much dependent on company culture and the culture you describe is not at all typical of US companies. Most offer decent work-life balance, particularly in the current labor market.

There's also nothing in OP's post to indicate that the company she works for is American, and even if it is, she can easily find out what it's like to work in the US operation.

OP, if you take a job in the US, where would you be located>

If you are burned out, I’m not sure why you’d go to the States. I feel like you’re not looking after yourself very well here - you’re punishing yourself and thinking “this will make me work” rather than looking for a way to rebalance your life.

if you’d like to travel, look into finance jobs in other expat areas (Frankfurt, Zurich?) where you can have that change but also have a life. Being an expat is quite psychologically tough and can be lonely

I've lived and worked in three different European countries.
You will broaden your horizons and learn to be (even more) self-reliant and resilient.
A stint abroad will look good on your CV.

My BFF works for JP Morgan in texas. It is 3 days a week in the office, 3 at home. She is a mom with 3 kids and manages fine. However their leave entitlement is shit

Sorry OP @MissConductUS has made me recognise that my US knowledge is a few decades out of date . Good to know things seem to have improved. I'd still ask a lot of questions about working hours and culture to be sure though.

I'd do it. Really you've nothing to lose here. If you don't like it you can come always come home.

Tack on some holiday / exploring time and you're set.

Actually rereading your OP I think you need a bit more equilibrium before you make any decision on this.

Think very carefully about what you want from your life. Traveling is good but depends very much where you'd be in the US. Do you actually want to advance in this current direction? What do you enjoy doing outside of work ? Are you willing to work long hours?

I worked abroad for a stint when I was single. Can't say I enjoyed it much ( there was a language barrier as well) but when I came back I was very clear about what I wanted and didn't want from life, so it was a pretty seminal experience.

Your life sounds pretty good the way it is right now. Presumably you don't need to decide anything immediately.

A massive thank you to everyone who has responded so far - I really appreciate it.

To answer some questions:

I'd move to either New York or San Francisco.

Salary & benefits would be generally in line with what I get now, c.$175k + bonus. We get private health insurance in the UK so I assume they have something similar in the US.

The company I work for is a US bank. I am very aware of the culture, the 80+ hour work weeks and being on call 24/7, hence the burn out. I do believe London is slightly better than the US for this, and my point about having a good enough reputation in my current team to push back is relevant here too. I've "done my time" (dramatic but it makes the point) in my current team and can now say 'no thanks' to constant weekend work / late nights, but I will have to start again if I move.

I eventually want to walk away from this lifestyle completely and I'm not sure whether to go abroad while I can, or if that's just stupid given how broken two years in London has left me. New York in particular will undoubtedly be worse in terms of workload and culture.

I would love to work in Europe but I don't have the language skills.

Honestly based on your update I'd stay in London and plan some amazing holidays.

Go 100% you only regret the chances you don't take

You'd want to be getting a significant pay increase to move to either of those locations.

I'd still go because I fear you'd regret it if you didn't.

I'd go to NYC and enjoy pretending to be Samantha Jones lol.

If after a year you don't like it, come home. You've got an international experience on your CV and you might find you have a clearer idea of what you want to do.

I wouldn't do SF as it's quite a car heavy place and I don't think quite as fun for a single person.

They do say a change is as good as a rest.

Appreciate I said pay would be in line with current salary in my last post, but I just double checked. Given GBP was a lot stronger when they standardised salaries across countries ~10 years ago, the pay increase from moving to the US would be 20-25%.

I'm not concerned about the salary so much. I'm trying not to sound arrogant but the job is well paid regardless of location (has to be when you're working 80+ hours!) and money wouldn't be a primary reason for/against moving.

Your company will pay for your health insurance, so you don't need to factor that in (though if you have significant needs while you're there then the co-pays may become an issue). I agree that your salary may not seem so generous in those cities, especially as you are single, but you could keep costs down by not having a car etc. (Car share programs are widely available) A change really can be as good as a rest so I'd go for it.

Depends what UK perks you carry over with you. I have a few friends working in New York and there is stark difference between what package they were offered. The lucky ones got UK holidays and 'normal' core hours, the unlucky ones were getting burnt out working US style hours with crap holidays. Also, what kind of office culture is your US office, I have worked in Houston for instance where workers were often of the bible bashing live and breath the company types, socialising with each other at weekends and generally being a bit suffocating. I was considered a bit odd as I wanted to actually experience 'Americana' outside of the narrow corporate world so spent my weekends seeking other experiences that did not involve going to the boss's BBQ again.

I work in Financial Services and I would absolutely go (and I have)! It’s a safe way to try out a new location given that the bank sorts out all aspects of the relo (bear in mind you can negotiate the package, so make sure you ask for what you’d like, eg keeping the same amount of vacation days) and experience abroad really adds to your CV. Most of the senior executives have had at least 2 - 3 different international experiences in their careers.