Move to Shanghai for a year

Shelga

Hello all, just looking for a little reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. Found out today that I will pretty much 100% be moving to Shanghai for a year in November with work. I didn't push for it but excitedly/very nervously said yes when my manager floated it to me a couple of weeks ago.

Now it seems to all be snowballing, and I just want some validation I guess. I don't regret saying yes but I am so nervous! The money is awesome (about 1.6 times my normal salary, with no rent/bills/food expenses), and I'd be in an excellent position for promotion upon my return. I'm also interested in experiencing another culture, and 12 months is nothing really when I think how the last year has flown by!

My real concern is putting my love life on hold for up to 18 months. I mean I could meet someone over there but it basically feels like the only real sacrifice. I'm about to turn 28 and female. Had a horrible breakup last year and finally feel great and ready to get into a serious relationship again, so to delay that for quite a while feels big. Then again, I could be in exactly the same boat next year if I stay, without this great life/career experience. I just don't think of myself as someone who puts career before a family (does anyone really??) and the thought of coming back nearly 30 and single is a bit scary, I have to be honest.

I feel like I'd feel so strong when I come back and really need a new challenge in my life though. And why not take advantage of being single! If I was in a good relationship right now I'd prioritise that but opportunities like this are the major, huge advantage of singledom.

Just wondering has anyone else had this type of working experience abroad while single and how they found it?

retalivity

Go and enjoy it, you'll be fine.

I left a good job to move to asia for a year and it was the best decision I ever made. You're going for more money and not yet 30, itll be great.

Addle

Have holidayed there.
Great big ex-pat community.
Big gaa group.
Lucky you!
Make the most of it.

Yurt2

Shanghai is a great town. Bagloads of Irish there in various industries. Go and enjoy yourself, once in a lifetime opportunity to live somewhere very different to home.

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

keeponhurling

I worked in Shanghai for 3.5 years.

Definitely go, and a year or two is just about the right length of time there, no longer I'd say

skallywag

I can only echo what the others have said, take this opportunity.

I certainly would not let any potential love-life issues hold me back. It's non-taken chances such as these which can cause much sad reflection later on in life.

Go for it!

LegacyUser

Shanghai is an amazing city! I've spent time there and good friend was there for over a year and met this now wife there. OP if your single here now what's going to change in the next 12 months? You could meet someone or you might not, you could to Shanghai and met someone or you might not, there's no guarantee of anything! Better to live your life and experience things and see what happens then sitting around waiting for something to come to you.

osarusan

I think it would be a fantastic experience, especially as you have and will have a job while there and after you come home.

Who's to say you won't meet somebody over there anyway?

Go for it!

skallywag

The fact that the OP will have such a nice salary and minimum expenses there is also a big plus. Shanghai can be very expensive!

Rubberchikken

it sounds like a great place to work/live for a year. great experience and after a year you have that experience- no one can take it away from you.
and there are guys there too! you're only 28 - live:D

Supercell

OP of all the places to work in China Shanghai would rank right at the top for me. Go for it, enjoy yourself. There is a vibrant expat community over there, you may even meet the love of your life (like me!) If you don't do it you will regret it later in life, these kind of opportunities should be grabbed with two hands!

silverfeather

I don't think you should put your love life on hold just because you are moving. Love could be just around the corner. It could be meant to be!

Shelga

Thanks everyone! I feel good about the move, I just needed time to think it all through as it happened very quickly.

Absolutely I know in my bones that I would massively regret not taking this opportunity. And I'm not some lovesick loser waiting around for someone to sweep me off my feet or anything :P Good point about potential resentment to a new guy anyway down the line. And I'm sure there are loads of expats in a city of 23m!

I suppose I just felt like it could be a bit lonely, and that I could feel like I was missing out on social/romance stuff at home. But these things are what you make of them so I'll aim to throw myself into socialising over there!