To quit my permanent job in London

[Roxinabox]

....in order to take up a fixed term contract in an area of the country much further afield where I've wanted to move to for a while for family and financial reasons? I'm set on moving anyway, so would have commuted 3hours+ several times a month to the London office, but this job has now come up very close to where I'm moving to.

The new contract role is only for 9 months but it's for a similar salary to my current London role and I'd be saving megabucks in that time due to cheaper housing costs.

My main concern is I've not found many suitable fixed term nor permanent roles in the area I'd like to move to, and am slightly concerned I won't have another job to move into once this contract job is up. My role is mid senior level so most of the jobs are in London; though there's a few dotted around in the cities they're not a guarantee.

Should I take the risk and just go for it? Having a bit of a wobble as financial security is a so integral to me feeling safe, although I've no other ties (no children etc. to consider).

Have you seen permanent roles come up very often in the new area?

Sorry - misread your post re jobs coming up in the area.
It depends on how adventurous you’re feeling. I’d be tempted to do it.

I would. There will be other jobs but you won’t get more time with family.

I would, you have time to look.

I feel London has become an incredibly hard place to live. There are also lots of hybrid and WFH jobs now.

I think go for it. It's worth the risk if it improves your lifestyle. A fixed term contract can be a gateway to a more permanent role. Ideally keep up bit of £ spare in case you have a gap between jobs later on.

Go for it. Better to regret something you have done, rather than something you haven't.

I feel for you as it took me 3 years to find a suitable job and relocate, but in your shoes I'd keep looking. A one-off 9 month job isn't worth moving for if you can't get work after that contract ends. Would you really save that much money after moving costs etc were taken into account?

Try reading the OP again. Third paragraph.

Thanks all. I'm wondering if they will even accept me as my notice period for my job in London is 3 months! So they will only be getting someone for 6 months potentially, as opposed to the 9 month contract they are offering.

Yeah, your current notice period is a barrier, if your current employer won’t waive most of it.

As availability of jobs closer to your preferred location is an issue then it depends on your risk appetite, priorities and willingness to earn less and/or do something different. Personally I’prioritise financial stability etc over living

Over living in the preferred location, and would move part way or somewhere commutable for London jobs

Go for it - I’ve always had fixed term jobs and they’ve always been extended or I’ve got something else. Being in a location you want to be in is so important, ditto being near family

I would only do it if you can weather a substantial gap between roles after this contract ends. I work as a consultant in the City and I can have a couple of weeks or even months between contracts by the time you allow for finding the role and all the onboarding process.

You need to think of a plan B in case nothing comes up straight away or the contract finishes early.