Turning down job because of location?

[allpanicnodisco2]

Hi,

Just looking for some insight because I’m really tearing my hair out over this.

I’m about to graduate and have been offered a job. It’s a really good one, it was a very competitive application process and will offer excellent training and professional qualifications. It would cost a lot of money to go through another route to get the same qualifications. I’m also really passionate about the work, which doesn’t happen a lot with first time grad jobs!

However, they can put you anywhere in the country, and I’m really unhappy where they’ve put me. I had my heart set on being in a big city and while it’s only around half an hour/40 minutes outside of the city, I will probably have to live at home with my parents as I will not be able to afford to rent in the city and commute out. This means around at least an hour and a half commute per day, in the car as there’s no public transport (I also hate driving). Social life is not massively important but I can’t see how I’d have a social life at all if I had to do this, I don’t know anyone where my parents live (which is mostly older people) or the town I’d work in. It’s also really not a nice place which in itself is not a problem but just adds to not really looking forward about doing the job.

It seems crazy to turn down a job because I don’t like where it is, and while I’m going to graduate with a good degree and a fair amount of work experience I don’t have any other offers at the moment. I also cannot leave the job for at least a year (complicated reasons). Should I just suck it up and do it for a year, or turn it down and look for something else?

Thanks!

Approx 17k.

@Alsohuman thank you! I hope your eye is good now!

People are telling you to go for it and trying to help with the issues you raise, but you just want to moan that it's difficult. I'm getting confused, what advice do you actually expect to get or what do you want? What is your actual question?

Can I advise you not to do a post graduate qualification.

I think being able to drive yourself to work and back, and holding down a job would be much more useful.

Plus you get paid, and don't rack up further debt.

@MRex
I’m not moaning, it’s a fact. I’ve had lots of helpful advice from people from them/their children who have taken jobs in less than ideal scenarios. Thanks :)

I'm really curious which town this is; I've lived in a few places considered a 'bit dodgy' and it's been fine (I think sometimes people exaggerate). In your position I would take the position and find a room in a house-share (or rent a whole flat if rent us really cheap there-if its dodgy maybe the rent is cheap? )

If you're nervous about that you can always commute for a bit until you get to know the different areas a bit better. You have to spend time in any city or town to get to know these things though and talk to people who live there. I do think most graduates live in shared houses at first though, well at least the people I know did or they lived with partners. In my personal opinion it's good for people be independent even if it means living somewhere slightly grotty but it obviously depends what your priorities are.

Could you not ask the employer if there is a member of staff who might offer you a room or Monday to Friday even if only for a few weeks whilst you find your feet?

My suggestion is this:
Take the job, and, as it is a large company, ask HR if there is anyone in the company that lives nearby and has a room to rent Monday - Thursday, or can recommend somewhere that does. Most big companies run a list as there are always new employees moving to the area. Then you'll save on the commute to offset the cost of renting, and can go home to parents for the weekend.

As someone said upthread lodging could also be a possibility but check it out because you don't have the same rights as a lodger that you do as a tenant so something to bear in mind.

You can find a room for four nights a week, Monday to Thursday as my friend did because the job was so good, then Friday after work go home to parents. I think a lodger pays £100 per week.

I don't think you are moaning OP, but asking a very sensible question. My answer is the same as a lot of the earlier posts - do it, and see it as an investment in getting you the skills and qualifications to build the career you want. You'll be in employment until you are 65-70 - it's worth the downsides you mention for a year or two to set you up well for the following 40 years.

Both eyes fully recovered now, OP, thank you.

The site I got my room from doesn’t seem to exist any more but it was very much like this one

www.fivenights.com/default.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6IfoBRCiARIsAF6q06vbwpilhSlXMkm65Vj9EyIxpUd1244ibrQYCP2RD_CEsAk12MnvAAgaAkYIEALw_wcB

You can do this!

You can def rent for that our grads are on 20k in London and manage it...

I would take it if only because if you hate it you can quit

I am baffled by some of this, as are others. The city thing is odd, did you mean London OP?

Is it teaching? Teach First? Secondary or primary? I would tread carefully tbh if so, but in general, take the job! How old are you BTW if not a millennial? Have you had a job before and gone back and done your degree when older?

I am baffled by some of this, as are others. The city thing is odd, did you mean London OP?

Is it teaching? Teach First? Secondary or primary? I might tread carefully tbh if so, but in general, take the job! How old are you BTW if not a millennial? Have you had a job before and gone back and done your degree when older?

You'll be fine allpanic you're just feeling overwhelmed because there's so much change coming. I thinks that's perfectly natural - we're not all brimming over with confidence approaching every new challenge !

Get some driving practice in between now and the start date, even if that means getting some more lessons or asking someone to accompany you. 45 to 60 mins each way isn't so bad, you've just lost some confidence after your accident but you'll get used to it again.

You don't necessarily have to live with your parents for the full year but you've got to admit it's good to at least have the option. You could be in a situation where you have no choice but to share with people you don't like. When you settle into work you might well strike up friendships with people you'd be happy to live with.

This is a brilliant opportunity for you so don't let yourself build the minor inconveniences into huge obstacles, that's self sabotage. Grab it and be open minded about new friends and experiences!

45 minutes each way is not a long commute.
I commuted into central London for years, from the outskirts, and it took me well over an hour each way.

Yes, the city is London- I was trying to be vague. It’s not teaching. Yes I’m every town there’s good bits and bad bits it’s just got a bit of a reputation- I just need to find the good bits!

Which city is it? We can probably tell you which areas are the safest to live in. Even towns with very high crime rates have nicer places.

I am not keeping up, sorry. Is London the town you were offered, or the town you wanted?

I am completely confused now

I mean, it can't be London if you said there's no public transport

London is the city I wanted to be in and I have been given a town outside it. I’m not going to say what it is because it’ll be very outing but thanks for your help.

Ok, I see it’s London. The great thing about London is the huge variety of areas and people. There is definitely no reason to get stuck in a terrible area.

Is it N E S W London?

Sorry should’ve been clearer!

London? For goodness' sake, it's a bloody great capital city with good and bad bits, perfectly easy to park yourself in a decent bit. And you really don't want to be driving your commute unless it's on the outskirts.

Right, let's have some details, as much as you feel able to give. Where's the job based and where are your parents?

OP is there any scope for contacting the company / organisation and asking whether a different placement might be possible?