Going Backwards to Go Home.

fatboypee

Would you ?

I work one in 3 weeks from home, the other 2 weeks in the UK. Financially 'ok' but not really viable. Family here, only local jobs I can find pay 'ok' but back to the grind stone of coding software (currently Development Manager in the UK with a team + the fun code stuff of R&D)...

If I'm honest, been there and done that with a coder only role but its either that or Dub / Cork and staying away again..

stress of living away is tough, but Dub / Cork would be worse regardless of the €'s extra..

I've a family here and its getting to be an issue..so, would you go backwards to come home ?

thanks for any input.

FBP.

pow wow

I have and believe me when I say it broke my heart (and nearly my sanity) to do it. At the same time I had family commitments that really left me with no choice, and though I hope I never find myself in such a situation again I would do it all again the same way if I did. I found it hard to find a suitable role in my field and it was soul destroying for the first 12 months or so.

Have you been researching the home market for long? Obviously with your family it has been on your radar for a while, but I mean seriously researching the employment market - talking to recruiters etc.? And is there zero possibility of your family relocating with you for a few years until the time is right to come back?

the_syco

pow wow wrote: »

And is there zero possibility of your family relocating with you for a few years until the time is right to come back?

I'd second this, both for sanity, and the ability to spend more time with your family. What ages are the kids?

fatboypee

Hi and thanks for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it.
I don't think there is a possibility of relocation to be honest, She - who -must be -obeyed is happy, family are very happy here, kids ages make it easier in one way (21,16,10) but the middle one going through leaving cert next year really kills the idea of relocation, at least for the time being.

I've got what I 'believe' to be a good relationship with most of the local recruiters and some in Dublin actively pushing quite good roles in my direction on a very regular basis and I'm always thinking "hmmm Dublin, I'd be home every weekend", but in some ways, that would be worse than being home 1 in three weeks (it works out I get 1 weekend in UK as its Sunday through 2 weeks to following Friday). Just feel trapped in two realities, neither of which is good for family and continuity..

I know, a lot of others do this (I see the same faces on the flights every time and some I know fly in and out on a weekly basis), but my main concern is taking a lower paid job to come home isn't about a career move, it's about the role itself and stepping backwards. I've kind of been able to paddle my own canoe for quite some time and going back to coding all day, every day concerns me the most I guess.. I think I'd resent working 8+ hours a day and be equally as miserable (btw in the UK the company is'nt much but the role and the team are brilliant).

Idno.. thanks for listening / reading

FBP.

Mrs OBumble

Welcome to Galway, the city ain't called The Graveyard of Ambition for nothing.

Full of people who made the decision to work at roles well below what they're capable of, for lifestyle / family reasons. (Myself included.)

It all comes down to how much you value your relationship/family vs your career. Just remember, your company most likely won't choose a nursing home for ya.

fatboypee

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Welcome to Galway, the city ain't called The Graveyard of Ambition for nothing.

Full of people who made the decision to work at roles well below what they're capable of, for lifestyle / family reasons. (Myself included.)

It all comes down to how much you value your relationship/family vs your career. Just remember, your company most likely won't choose a nursing home for ya.

Galway would be do-able if the role was right .. but I take your point. The irony was, securing a job in the UK was intended to ride-out the recession and improve my skillset. It's more than done that but the cash is far far tighter than anticipated and has become quite difficult to sustain, only coming back I'd be as poor if not poorer than when I left but resigned to that situiation unlikely to / never changing..