Torn over the way forward

[Notjustuser1458393875]

I've done the same job for a long time. I didn't like it much but it gave me security, flexibility and a decent salary. Recently I started spending part of my time doing new stuff that I really love, but I still have to do other things that bore me quite a bit. We moved a few months ago and I'm now commuting quite a way (in and out of London) and not seeing much of my two pre-schoolers, but I kept on at work because it was pretty much all I could think of doing plus the other advantages as above.

The new stuff is going really well and I took some careers advice which was really positive. The reckoning was that I would be in a good position to move into a more senior role in a different organisation in about a year, earning more, but that my commute would be a challenge as my hours would probably increase.

After doing some asking around locally, I've been offered several jobs locally in my new field. It turns out that outside London there aren't many of us. All involve a pay cut and loss of other benefits, but it would mean no more commute and moving into the fun bit of the job straightaway. I think also there would be the change of promotion and pay increases, and the commute is expensive so I'd get that money back.

I'm just torn. I think logically my opportunities of succeeding on a major scale (and relatively quickly) in the new field lie in London, and I am nervous about moving from the company I've spent so long with, but my immediate life would be easier if I change jobs now. I'd love to know what others would do.

[alazuli]

no commute plus moving straight into what you love? take the job!

[Notjustuser1458393875]

Good questions. I keep swinging one way and back again.

I spend about 18 hours commuting each week, which sounds horrendous, and pretty much is. I basically don't see my children three days a week. Success at work could make that even less.

On the face of it, that makes the work not worth it. But I get an enormous amount of satisfaction from my new work, and after years of thinking I wasn't ever going to make much of myself, the sudden prospect of making it to the top in a second career is pretty exciting. And I'm kidding myself if I don't find the prospect of not constantly worrying about money good.

But my children are brilliant and I miss them a lot.

[DoublyTroubly]

Obviously you need to look at all the financial impacts (make sure you take account of tax and NI when comparing salary decrease to reduced travel expenses). However, if you can afford it I would certainly look at moving into a local job doing the stuff you enjoy asap, so you can spend more time with the kids. You can look at moving back into a London role once the kids are a bit older and you have more experience in the field if necessary x

[EvaSthlm]

You have to decide for yourself. How much time per year will you spend on the actual commuting? It might be a good many hours, weeks even, in the tube. Do you want to succeed on "a major scale" and if so, why? What's in it for you?