Has anyone left their city job / taken a lower paying job and regretted it?

[workingmom2000]

I am currently faced with the decision of whether to leave my city job (where there is a lot of uncertainty regarding job security anyway) and take a more relaxed 9-5 job. It would certainly make life a lot easier with DS who is 5 months. However, I wonder if I may end up regretting my decision. I feel it will be harder for me to go back to the city job once I leave - so it will be a goodbye forever if I do.

The money is also an issue as I would be taking a lower paying job, which means fewer luxuries and tighter spending. But at least I will be able to spend more time with DS.

Anyone who regretted it or alternatively felt it was the best decision of their life?

I spent 18 years in investment banking and gave up when my third baby was born. I had five years out and now work 4 days a week school hours and term time only for a fraction of the money. I'd rather boil my head than return to the high pressured environment I was in previously as our life is transformed compared to the bad old days.

I would say however that if money is an issue and you intend having another child, perhaps it might be better to try and continue for the time being until you go off on maternity leave for no. 2.

Thanks. That is an inspiring story ! But you also make a good point. I do plan on having another child and that could be the right time to take on a more relaxed or even a part-time job.

One of the reasons for considering a move I guess is also the current wave of redundancies. I worry about the constant tension of job loss (since next 2 years are likely to be tough) and that it would be nice for at least one partner to have a secure job given the baby.

hmm, lots of things to think about I guess.

After 9 years at an investment bank in the City, I left when my mat leave ended and feel it's the best thing I ever did!

I had a 4 hour commute each day and no way was I gona waste that time again after being on leave so tried to negotiate reduced hours in the office but they wouldn't couldn't accommodate, so I left. I now work 3 days per week locally and whilst it is considerably less money...I feel less stressed and have more time for my family and am thus a much happier person I enjoyed my job and thrived on the fast pace at the time but my objective after having DS was to reduce my commute time and to leave that high pressured environment (I knew that I wouldn't have been able to put in the kind of hours that I was expected to had in the past) - I nearly exchanged it for a job locally but with similar pressures, luckily I realised in time and didn't take that role and am very happy with my decision.

It's a hard choice to make given the state of play at the mo but you've also got to think about what you can live with and if you can hang on in your current role for now. Sometimes, having made that choice mentally in your head, makes it difficult to stick out the job in the long run, so you might be better off leaving now rather than becoming careless or uncommitted because you're totally fed up with the situation.

Hello! I worked in the City for about five years before I gave it up. I can't say that I was in the most high powered job but it was relatively very well paid and stressful compared to what I do now. Although for me the stress was partly related to being unhappy in the role and environment, so if you really enjoy your job this might not be relevant to you. Anyway, I have absolutely never regretted it, in fact, if anything I wish I had done it much earlier. I worried a lot about the financial consequences, I couldn't imagine how I was going to cope and I suppose if I'm honest there was a slight status thing going on. Anyway, I earn less than half as much now (and have lower earning potential in future too), but I couldn't care less. My quality of life is higher on every level. I'm still ambitious with regard to my career, but in a different way and I'm pursuing other opportunities. Good luck with your decision!

Umm... welll....

I have left my old fairly well paid city style job and taken a more local part-time job instead. My main motivation was getting rid of the commute.

Unfortuately the new place, which I though would be more relaxed, is actually much harder work! And I'm not getting paid nearly so much...

I just wanted to say don't assume that because something is local and less money it will be less stressful... Have a good think.

Once I have popped this next baby I intend to try to get back into my old field, I miss being able to use my expertise and although I hate to say it the money was nice...

Obviously I know nothing of what you are doing now or what you intend to do next, I just wanted to give a different point of view.

I wouldn't change my original decision though, it has been good experience and very interesting, even if all I've done is realise that my new sector is not a good fit for me.

Good luck!

I really envy you your choice. I work in a fairly high powered job in London, 4 hour commute each day and everything that goes with it. When we moved house and had our first baby last year the idea was that I would give that up and stay at home. Unfortunately dh was made redundant so I had to go back to work and am still there -although awaiting news of redundancies in the next few months. I would love it my my dh could find another job, anywhere, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen any time soon.

So... what's my point? Well, in the current economic climate think carefully before you do anything. If there's another salary coming into your household, how secure is it? What are the chances of you being made redundant anyway? If there's a chance of that happening then would it be better to wait for that and presumably a reasonable lump sum.

I would agree with the idea of waiting for your second round of maternity leave. Things may be clearer then in terms of the broader economy. I guess my own experience says that if you're not sure and you have a decent job at the moment then hang on to it.

Best decision of my life .

Was an investment banker for four years after leaving university. Loathed every single minute of it. And could not begin to see how it would work when I had children - married dh very young, and therefore children were on the agenda from quite early.

I was working 12 hour days as standard, frequently longer, plus weekends and travelling. I was miserable, stressed and earning loads, but didn't have any time to spend it.

I resigned, and went to do a Masters in Politics, for no reason other than I thought it would be interesting, to the horror and shock of my colleagues. Then I got an infinitely more interesting job, for 20% of what I had been earning. I'm still there, seven years on, working at the same place, and very happy - earning more than I was, but still nowhere near banking levels.

The decision was made easier by the fact that dh earns a decent salary, and with the money we'd saved from my banking days we were able to pay off a large chunk of mortgage. I now have 2 dcs, I work part time, I love my job and find it fascinating - I also get to see the dcs in the morning and before they go to bed and am able to be flexible about when and where I work, up to a point.

I appreciate I've been very lucky all the way through, but I can honestly say I have not ever regretted it for one single moment. Best decision I ever made.