Could i be making a huge mistake?

newbie12394

Hi there,
I'm in an unusual situation and I really need some advice.
I've been unemployed for the last 3 months, and have seen lots of rejection letters in that time.
I want to go travelling in the next year or 2, so I don't want anything long term - just something to save up some money.

Now I've been offered a job.
It’s in a really small town in Donegal, roughly 5 hours away from me by bus.
I don’t drive, so once i move there, I'd pretty much be stuck there all the time.
I don’t know anyone there and it seems kind of a boring place to live in, with not much to do.

I also think finding a place to live might be hard.
I googled about for somewhere to live, but haven’t seen any houses or apartments available.

The pay is pretty good though, and the cost of living is a lot less than here in Dublin.
If I want to go travelling in 12-18 months I could still leave, but I get the feeling they want me to stay there for a long term development of my career.
The job is a bit tough but the title would look a lot better on my CV.

Now normally, I'd take this job, even though it meant relocating to a quiet town, and leaving all my friends behind.
It beats being unemployed and broke though.

However, I've seen an advert for a position where i used to work in North Dublin.
Its in a company that I used to work for (although its a different department) so I know most of the people there, and get on well with them.
It's also fun to work at.
I haven't applied yet, but I'm 90% sure if I applied for the job I'd get in (the only thing going against me is that I've since done a masters degree so I might be a little overqualified - but I don't mind taking the job).
The thing is, the cost of living can be high in Dublin.
Finding a place to live would be easy, but it would cost me a lot.
And if I want to go travelling, I wouldn't have as much saved (although this company would be more understanding of me taking off for that.
They're really nice in that way)

Which should I go for?
The great job which leaves me rich, but bored and away from everyone - and possibly stuck for finding somewhere to live?
Or should I hold out for the lesser job that I know would be easier and that I'd be happy working in, even though II haven't even interviewed for it yet?
Or is doing that too risky?

Thanks all.

Tramps Like Us

Donegal imo. especially if its only for a year or two and you want to go traveling

SPM1959

I would advise you to learn how to drive ASAP. I put it off for years and had the same problems as yourself when trying to make life choices as above.

nikinova

Donegal is an amazing place to live...IMO!

Take a risk, go you with your gut instinct - friends are easy to make

R.D. aka MR.D

What does the small town have?

I'm from Donegal and unless you are in one of the bigger towns then you might not have a supermarket within walking distance. Do you know if there is a lidil/aldi or whatever?

Most people in Donegal drive because the bus system is terrible and you need to get to the bigger towns to do a lot of things. You would have to travel to Letterkenny or Sligo to go to the hospital. It's a big county!

If you accept the job then ask the company if they can help you find somewhere to live. They might have a cousin/friend/some one down the pub that they know who rents to people or would rent to you.

If I were you, i would do a lot of research on the area before I made the decision.

Mrs OBumble

It's only a year or two, broaden your horizons and rub shoulders with the Donegalians for a while, and save money while you do it. You'll have a far better travel experience with money.

amdublin

As an alternative to driving (if you go to donegal) would cycling be an option?

K.Flyer

The old saying "A bird in the hand....etc" comes to mind.
You say you want to go travelling, well that involves leaving people behind as well. Think of the move to Donegal as the first part of your journey so to speak, where at least you can jump on a train to visit if you miss them that much.
You have been offered a good job which you say will look good on your C.V. and on the balance of things leaves you with more money, so far This is your only job offer.
Then take your chances on Donegal I would say.

newbie12394

amdublin wrote: »

As an alternative to driving (if you go to donegal) would cycling be an option?

Yes, but the roads are small enough. The job doesnt have any facilities for changing out of cycling gear/shower etc when i get in.

SPM1959 wrote: »

I would advise you to learn how to drive ASAP.

I'm learning, but even then i'm ages away from actually having a full license and a car.

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

What does the small town have?

If you accept the job then ask the company if they can help you find somewhere to live. They might have a cousin/friend/some one down the pub that they know who rents to people or would rent to you.

If I were you, i would do a lot of research on the area before I made the decision.

It has some supermarkets and a bar and stuff. It's not a complete ghost town, but it seems like somewhere i wouldn't have much to do at all. I definitely will be asking the company about helping me settle in. I'm researching both of my options thoroughly at the minute. But i'm still on the fence - hence why i'm asking on Boards.

newbie12394

K.Flyer wrote: »

Think of the move to Donegal as the first part of your journey so to speak, where at least you can jump on a train to visit if you miss them that much

Train? Not happening round those parts!
And buses are a good 5-6 hours of travelling, only leaving once a day too. If i have a free weekend, i cant leave til saturday, arrive saturday evening, and have to be gone then on sunday afternoon. Not exactly handy.

Mrs OBumble

newbie12394 wrote: »

Train? Not happening round those parts!
And buses are a good 5-6 hours of travelling, only leaving once a day too. If i have a free weekend, i cant leave til saturday, arrive saturday evening, and have to be gone then on sunday afternoon. Not exactly handy.

Ahh, but you might find you have a colleague who's driving to / through someplace that has a later bus on Friday afternoon.

I think you're over thinking this. If you cannot handle the Donegal gig, how will you handle travelling ....

Rubberchikken

Also think you're over thinking it.
It's just Donegal not the Antartic.

How about looking for the positives in the move, plus the experience will help with your travel plans.

K.Flyer

Its as if O.P. is trying to talk himself out of the opportunity.
Donegal is not that far away, its not Canada or Australia.

MagicMarker

Hmm, a choice between a job offered and a job not even applied for.

Tough one!

newbie12394

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Ahh, but you might find you have a colleague who's driving to / through someplace that has a later bus on Friday afternoon.

And i might not - the job only has about a dozen people there.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I think you're over thinking this. If you cannot handle the Donegal gig, how will you handle travelling ....

This is different though - Theres a difference in working 9-5 in a place away from everyone, and travelling full time meeting new people from place to place!

newbie12394

K.Flyer wrote: »

Donegal is not that far away, its not Canada or Australia.

Like i implied earlier - it can be far when you dont drive, and dont have bus access.

shruikan2553

If you dont drive it would depend on the area. Along the bus eireann galway to derry route it would be ok. Outside of that I would be more cautious. The roads outside of those areas wouldnt be great for cycling and getting out of the county can take awhile as there are no trains or motorways. On the plus side eircom fiber is in the county so there are decent internet connections in some areas.

danthefan

I lived in Donegal for a couple of years, if you're living in a small town (i.e. not Letterkenny) I just cannot imagine living up there without a car. It's a lovely part of the world and the people are really nice but the county is huge and everything is really spread out, and the public transport is awful. Learn to drive if you're taking the job up there imo.

LynnGrace

newbie12394 wrote: »

However, I've seen an advert for a position where i used to work in North Dublin.
Its in a company that I used to work for (although its a different department) so I know most of the people there, and get on well with them.
It's also fun to work at.
I haven't applied yet, but I'm 90% sure if I applied for the job I'd get in (the only thing going against me is that I've since done a masters degree so I might be a little overqualified - but I don't mind taking the job).
The thing is, the cost of living can be high in Dublin.
Finding a place to live would be easy, but it would cost me a lot.
And if I want to go travelling, I wouldn't have as much saved (although this company would be more understanding of me taking off for that.


Which should I go for?
The great job which leaves me rich, but bored and away from everyone - and possibly stuck for finding somewhere to live?
Or should I hold out for the lesser job that I know would be easier and that I'd be happy working in, even though II haven't even interviewed for it yet?
Or is doing that too risky?

Thanks all.

I'm a big fan of Donegal, worked there some years ago, and I love going back to visit. It's a beautiful county, and I always found people welcoming and friendly.
I think not being able to drive would be a disadvantage, in your situation, to be honest. That would definitely be a factor, in my view, in your decision.

In relation to the job in Dublin, you mention that you have not applied yet. How soon would you have to accept or decline the job in Donegal? Is there time to apply for the job in Dublin, and to know whether or not you will get that job, before deciding between the locations/ roles?

Larianne

I think you're looking for back up to reasons why you won't take the job in Donegal.
Sounds like you're using every excuse not to go to Donegal.
Don't go.
Wait and see about this job in North Dublin, which you might get.
You may then be able to save up to go travelling in a year or two and also get your driver's licence in the mean time.
OR you may not.

Your decision at the end of the day, but it sounds like you've decided against Donegal already.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

I did the very same thing and moved to Donegal from Galway 4 years ago. Was there for 2 years. As people are saying, public transport is rubbish unless you live on the Derry - Letterkenny - Ballybofey - Donegal - Bundoran route. Anywhere else makes a car almost essential.

Donegal is beautiful and you'll save a lot more money for your travels there than in Dublin. See it as an experience! I left 2 years ago and miss it.

anishboi

It depends whereabouts in Donegal it is. What's the name of the place?

Some parts of Donegal like Letterkenny or Lifford are great, but the road system in parts of Donegal are highly underdeveloped, for example getting to places like Dungloe is an absolute nightmare.

Also, the recession has hit places like Bundoran extremely badly. Compared to a few years ago, there's basically nothing to do there now!

Sir Chops

newbie12394 wrote: »

Hi there,
I'm in an unusual situation and I really need some advice.
I've been unemployed for the last 3 months, and have seen lots of rejection letters in that time.
I want to go travelling in the next year or 2, so I don't want anything long term - just something to save up some money.

Now I've been offered a job.
It’s in a really small town in Donegal, roughly 5 hours away from me by bus.
I don’t drive, so once i move there, I'd pretty much be stuck there all the time.
I don’t know anyone there and it seems kind of a boring place to live in, with not much to do.

I also think finding a place to live might be hard.
I googled about for somewhere to live, but haven’t seen any houses or apartments available.

The pay is pretty good though, and the cost of living is a lot less than here in Dublin.
If I want to go travelling in 12-18 months I could still leave, but I get the feeling they want me to stay there for a long term development of my career.
The job is a bit tough but the title would look a lot better on my CV.

Now normally, I'd take this job, even though it meant relocating to a quiet town, and leaving all my friends behind.
It beats being unemployed and broke though.

However, I've seen an advert for a position where i used to work in North Dublin.
Its in a company that I used to work for (although its a different department) so I know most of the people there, and get on well with them.
It's also fun to work at.
I haven't applied yet, but I'm 90% sure if I applied for the job I'd get in (the only thing going against me is that I've since done a masters degree so I might be a little overqualified - but I don't mind taking the job).
The thing is, the cost of living can be high in Dublin.
Finding a place to live would be easy, but it would cost me a lot.
And if I want to go travelling, I wouldn't have as much saved (although this company would be more understanding of me taking off for that.
They're really nice in that way)

Which should I go for?
The great job which leaves me rich, but bored and away from everyone - and possibly stuck for finding somewhere to live?
Or should I hold out for the lesser job that I know would be easier and that I'd be happy working in, even though II haven't even interviewed for it yet?
Or is doing that too risky?

Thanks all.

How much is the pay? How much do you think you can save? Is it worth learning to drive while there ?

newbie12394

Right all.... After considering it further, i think i'm going to take the Donegal job. It pays better, and i've checked it and i can cycle a bit around, so it should be ok.
Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it!

SPM1959

Good luck. I think it was Twain who said it but has been quoted to me many times through the years - you regret the things you don't do, not the things you do.

Give it your best shot and if it doesn't work out, get the bus back to Dublin.