Moving somewhere "cheaper" for better quality of life

[Facelikeanormer]

I've no one to talk to in real life so looking for some impartial advice. I am early 30s, divorced without child, no significant commitments outside of work (both parents passed when I was a teenager). Externally, work looks like it is going well. I earn c £75k per annum but realistically have risen to the level of my own incompetence. I have around £125k in savings and could where I live by a property of up £650k (mortgage AIP) but would need a long term and keep in the same type of employment ties. I live in a very expensive area (Jersey) so the property would be relatively modest.

I might be being crazy but I sometimes think about moving elsewhere in the British Isles and buying somewhere with a very small mortgage (or even none) and starting again with a lower level job that I could leave there at the end of the day.

Is this a silly idea? I know its not thought through, but what should I be thinking of? Employment prospects? Pension? Costs of moving? Difficulty starting again? Or should I be thinking of investing the money for a few years rather than rush into a decision?

Basically, money and life advice welcomed. Should I move in pursuit of an "easier" life or will I regret it?

I say go for it, OP. There’s a lot to be said for living to live rather than living to work.

Is there something career-wise that you have a burning ambition to do? If not, stepping down the ladder and earning less doesn't necessarily mean less stress because you very often have much less control.

You're not crazy. You do sound like you may have some self-esteem issues though. Of course after a big jolt to your life planning like a divorce, it is common to dream about a re-boot, a fresh start. You've had some stress; there may be a part of you that craves peace and wants to avoid being somewhere that reminds you of bad times. I don't think there is anything wrong with giving in to that feeling and moving somewhere new. But recognise you might find yourself floundering if you turn up in a new place without much idea what you're purpose is there.

May I ask, why would you want to take a lower-level job if you moved? Simply to avoid long hours and feeling the weight of responsibility? Depending on what kind of work you do, maybe the thing to do is first practice the "walking away" part in your life right now - find out what would actually happen right now if you didnt do all the overtime etc. Unless you are in a caring/teaching type job, perhaps you could free up time by being less committed to your job, and see what you feel like doing with the spare time.

Also - I'm trying to imagine what job you currently do that you've already maxed out your lifetime potential... it seems unlikely that is the case. Few people pass their career peak in their early 30s (unless it is sports).

You are early 30s, you're in an excellent financial position, and I don't see any particular rush to move. The property market is very hot so if you would be a first time buyer, it's not necessarily a good time to jump into the market. If you haven't formed a clear idea of an area you'd like to move to, take some of your savings and use it to spend some vacation time in Airbnbs in areas you think you might like to live. Go and view some properties and imagine yourself in a different version of your life.

I think you are the perfect age to do it.

Go for it life’s too short! My very posh private school educated friend thought all us northerners were untouchables. She loves it up here now and would never go back. Honestly like the line in ‘Pretty Woman’ it’s just geography!

Thanks, and great things to think about. I think some people would say I have low self esteem, I would more say I have good self awareness and know my limitations (and am just waiting for others to realise)! My current role can feel claustrophobic and I'm often working on projects with intensive local media attention so getting perspective can be difficult. I do enjoy bits of my job but I wear it too heavily and it is how I judge myself as a person. I think I have reached my ceiling and I want to find myself again not just Employeelikeanormer. Stepping back is difficult, but you're right that is something I can try to do instantly. I like the idea of some weekends away to try different areas (although I will have to try to remember if it goes ahead it won't be a holiday!)

I hear you OP! I'm also in Jersey and have been facing this decision in one way or another for a few years, although a bit older than you and about to be married. I'm originally from the North of England so that's where we'd go.

If feels like it's a much bigger decision than (say) moving from Bristol to Newcastle because you can't just get in the car and 'pop back home' whenever. Plus the lifestyle here is amazing, in the summer at least.

I think ultimately it will depend on what you do for a living, what you could do elsewhere, how easy would it be to find employment, what you'd need to earn to live, is that sustainable long term? It's extremely attractive to be mortgage free or almost at your age, you could pay a good whack into a private pension even if you were earning half what you are now and not really need to worry about the future.

If I were in your position I'd be tempted to go for it. I was once actually, but I was too frightened to leave and instead I bought a small place here. No regrets as I met DP a couple of years later, but of course had I upped and left who knows what adventures I'd have had?

@ImInStealthMode hello fellow islander! You've hit the nail on the head getting on that boat with your worldly goods feels so much more monumental than moving along the motorway. I work in the public sector - ignored the lure of the finance sector- but in an area where I think 100,000 people think we should be doing it differently and better. I don't have links to the UK so I don't have somewhere to naturally head towards but could imagine working for local authority or possibly the third sector.

Congratulations on the forthcoming wedding, I'm pleased it worked out for you (and hope in five years I am posting on a similar board explaining how its worked out for me (whatever I decide to do!))

Have you ever lived away from Jersey OP ( I note your username!). Living in the UK is very different. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, it could be amazing for you, it's not exactly far, and you could always move back, but the size of communities is just so different, and will that suit you? Also, I don't know what level you are in your job but would imagine you'd earn less over here.

Your 125k savings could buy you a decent 1 bed flat in an average place in my area of South Wales, or an average 2 up 2 down house in a not-great-but-not-awful area. If I were you, I would do it- but have a think about what's important to you. Coastline/ mountains/ city/ etc. Wages are lower here than the big cities, but quality of life, if you have the finances, can be very good.

I say go for it OP. I moved from London to the countryside and it is a much better quality of life

The midlands upwards have a lot to be said for them despite the londoncentric general view. Cheaper, less stress, less pressure, lovely countryside, some areas are as diverse as
london (some aren’t but you can choose) and we even have decent internet speeds in most places. Plus actual museums, theatres, sushi restaurants and culture.

No, I've not lived in the UK so very much used to island-life and conscious I would need to adjust to a bigger community, larger geographical area and all that entails. I'd not expect to meet my salary, I have practical experience which has allowed me to rise through grades but not sufficiently strong enough transferable skills to be too optimistic for future roles (at least at first) so I wouldn't expect a similar wage. I'd want to be comfortable but I am not the type of person wanting the latest car or handbag so not looking for megabucks.

The difficulty is giving up the current security for the potential of being happier. I feel silly writing it down as if I was talking to someone else I would tell them to take the chance. But I know that I am so lucky compared to so many people and it feels almost self indulgent to question whether there is something more, or at least something else out there...

@CatLadyDrinksGin don't worry I don't have any londoncentric ideas. Just having a Lidl would be novelty enough. Seriously, I'd hope for all the things you mention with the ability to go walking and potentially adult learning classes in the evening (to get me out and about rather than retraining). Ideally I wouldn't want a commute for work (but coming from Jersey any journey over 10 minutes feels long!)

Hi @Facelikeanormer I'm also in Jersey.

I'm older than you but also thinking the same thing. Cost of living so high here now and also I want to move into a less well paid job (I have retrained recently) and have more cultural and off road biking opportunities than there are here. I could be mortgage free in the some parts of the UK with the equity in my house.

But difference is i am a single parent with teenagers and family in Jersey. For me I think it would be a one way ticket leaving Jersey as there is no way back if I get off the property ladder here which is scary.

You are the perfect age for a move. What about somewhere like Bristol? Nice city. You could get a little apartment on the outskirts. Use your savings to go to the university and retrain in something interesting like psychology or physiotherapy or nutrition. Meet a load of new people. Have fun

Or do a teaching degree

I always wonder when people ask this question. I’m from a town where the houses are very cheap, but that’s because the town itself isn’t that great. Doesn’t that usually tend to be the case? Although I suppose there is a lot of middle ground between Jersey and where I live

@longcoffeebreak I suspect that there are lots of us, balancing the same problem. Everything is so expensive here and it seems like there would be more options elsewhere. But I can see how returning could be difficult. I know that in so many ways I am lucky to only have to think of myself (imagine how much more indecisive I would be throwing teenagers into the mix). I really admire your retraining and wish you the very best whatever you decide.

Who knows perhaps we'll all end up in the same northern town!

What's your ideal job OP?

I'd start from there and work backwards. Where do such jobs exist? Of those places where would you prefer to be. What property can you get there.

Also why stay in the UK??

Could you rent for a while in another area and rent out your house in the meantime before selling, so you could go back if you don't like it?

Go for it- you are a great age to make this change. The older you are the harder it will get.

@Facelikeanormer yes see you in the north! I'm also public sector so we probably vaguely know each other 😀

I've put loads of time in to looking into this, particularly given one of my sons has SEN.

South - Worthing, Chichester, Christchurch, Clevedon (near Bristol which would be fun as a pp said). All on or near the coast.

North - Peak District (good access to Manchester or Sheffield for city fix) and Harrogate/York. But no sea up in that area. I think I'd really miss it being an Island born person.

Penarth is nice in Wales.

Don’t underestimate the pull of the sea. I’m an island-dweller (not Jersey) and cat believe I ever once lived hours from the sea.

there’s more to the UK than the mn-approved “naice” towns in the South of England.

before you sell up and make a big decision - how about taking a long holiday from work and doing a serious road trip and investigate some places?

flying in to a city and staying in a nice hotel won’t give you any sort of semblance or feel for the area.

navigating a ring road in rush hour in a motor home whilst you cajole your sat nav into playing fair will!

I've just had a look at the Jersey property prices and it does look expensive. However, it made me wonder how the salaries compare and they also look higher than the UK (and I'm in the SE).

You say that you currently earn £75k. Do you have any idea how that would compare to a job in the north and in turn the type of property that you want to buy? A £75k public sector job in the SE would be a big role with a lot of responsibility (think County Council Head of Service role). Is that the sort of level of responsibility you have or are you more junior? Our local County Council serves a population of circa 550k. We're a fairly rich county but the demographic is still quite varied with areas of deprivation and complex social issues. I suspect it would be a far more challenging landscape than Jersey with more problems and higher crime.

People go on Escape Down Under and somehow expect to move from a two up two down terrace in the north to a four bed with swimming pool in Oz. They get there, find they can only actually afford a pretty average three bed in the suburbs and food costs five times what it does in the UK.

I'm not trying to put you off. I just think you need to look at it from different angles and be realistic. I also think it would be worth renting than buying in the first instance.