To ask where you would move to?

[RedPandaMama]

I've asked similar questions before but we still can't decide!

We have a 7mo DD. DP has a career in Manchester, which is transferable to many cities around the UK with possibility for overseas movement in 2 years time. I'm currently a SAHM about to start my master's degree. We are in our 20s. My family are in Lancashire, his 30 mins outside London.

Current options:

A) continue renting in reasonably nice suburban town 30 mins from Manchester for 18 months, then buy a house closer to the city. DD go to nursery and school there.
Pros - only 30 mins from my family, cheap, know the area, would be homeowners soon, decent schools. Cons - have lived here my whole life, bit bored of the area.

B) finish up our rent contract (Winter 2018) then DP transfers to London position and we move to South London.
Pros - near his family, more interesting and cultural lifestyle, great public transport, more job prospects for me once finished masters, DP would get London waiting salary. Cons - expensive, busy etc. as associated with London living. Probably would be stuck renting forever.

C) move to another UK city. Positions available in Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham and more.
Pros - move somewhere new, exciting, experience another lovely city. Cons - no family for either of us nearby, potentially expensive, could be stuck in rent trap, isolating not knowing anybody?

D) take an amazing opportunity for DP's career and move to a European city. Can't go into details but would be a 2 year contract starting in 2.5 years time. Move to unknown European capital city, everything provided for - flights, house, car, private schooling for DD - plus amazing step up career ladder for DP and double his current salary.
Pros - opportunity to live in another country, loads of extra money, I could be a SAHM if I wanted to, learn new language for DD and amazing education, DP's career pretty much sorted for life. Cons - potentially dangerous position (can't elaborate more), DP would have to be on call unless he was on holiday, could be very isolating, far from family (although flights provided for family to visit, DPs mum can't fly), could be a difficult transition, may never own a house, I may not be able to find a job (if I wanted one) as I don't speak another language.

Help. We need to start making decisions pretty soonish but just don't know. Part of me wants all of them and part of me wants to curl under a rock and hide from life changes.

Sorry that was ridiculously long. I'm spiralling with indecision.

Either A or D depending on how dangerous the position was. Quite frankly I think you would be mad to move to London. It's horrible. No place to raise children.

I'd stay where you are then opt for abroad. Great opportunity, fixed time so if you hate it you know you'll be coming home after not too long.

London is a great place to race se children but only if you have bags of cash.

I would go for A and buy a home, then you'll always have options.

London every time

I’d do C or D.

Newcastle, Nottingham or Glasgow won’t be more expensive than Manchester. Newcastle, in particular, is cheap as uk cities go. So you’re unlikely to be caught in a rent trap. Geordies and Weegies are pretty friendly really too.

Or A. Really I’d do anything but move to London.

It has to be D.

You only live once.

It's only 2 years and could open up SO much opportunities.

Life is wayyy to short to stay in Manchester for ever. Jeez, it's Manchester, not the Bahamas....spread those wings....

D.

But London is amazing and great for kids.

I'd stay in Manchester aim to buy a house in those 2.5 years then move abroad and rent it so a mixture of A and D. I moved abroad with the hubby and found work teaching English. Do a risk assessment on the dangers tho x

Abroad. Rome! Do iiiiiiit.

D.

I'm a Londoner born and bred. I love it and still live in London. BUT don't move here if you don't need to. House prices are insane.

I would do A then D.

Though I live just outside Glasgow so say come here!!

A appeals to me most but you are young so maybe D.The potential for danger would concern me. Re B Have you lived in London before? I loved it 25 years ago but I can't believe how much it's changed. I'm sure many residential areas are lovely though.

I'd stay in Manchester, it's fabulous city with great transport links.

I second @Firsttimefreaked.

It's hard to say without knowing more about the potential dangerous aspect but get on the property ladder here, rent out and then if you need to come back you have somewhere of your own.

The opportunities with D do indeed sound amazing for all of you and you could fly to see MIL. You and DC could learn another language together.

I would say D. Sounds an amazing opportunity and might give you more options when you return. I love London but renting forever with children sounds depressing if it's not necessary. A would be second choice.

D depending on how dangerous it is.

I'd be tempted to buy first and then rent it out whilst living overseas, if it would be profitable.

D. Sounds amazing!

Thanks everyone.

A first and then D could be a good idea if we'd be able to convert our mortgage to a buy-to-let one then that could work really well! I would love to take that leap and it's possible we could regret it if we don't. But moving abroad sounds so scary, especially with kids.

Absolutely D.
Although everyone who I know that has taken the 2 year option inevitably either stays longer or moves to another foreign country. Its an amazing opportunity especially for kids.

I'm in the middle of A to D! If D doesn't happen I won't mind too much as I've done D without kids.

Depends what you mean by dangerous.
A European city - you haven't mentioned Brexit issues - maybe it is a non-EU European city - like Moscow. I wouldn't move to Moscow the way things are looking at the moment.

But an opportunity in Europe could be great and if you don't like it you could move back after the two years.

Can you buy a house in the north now, move abroad in 2 years and let it out?