Leaving the family behind to go work abroad - how does it work for you if you do it?

OU812

Friend of mine is strongly considering a move to the US to set up American office for his company. There's over 100% bump in salary for him as well as other benefits, but his wife has reservations because they have a young family and she likes to have family support (his in-laws live two streets away), plus she has a really good job that pays very well here.

He's considering going on his own as he thinks if he doesn't go, his career with the company will stall or even end.

I know there's a fair few people who work abroad while the wife and kids are at home in Ireland. How does it work out for you?

Blue Whale

Sounds like a bad idea. His wife and family are not going to be happy to be left to their own devices.

Can he start looking for jobs elsewhere in Ireland in case he has no choice in the matter.

Tom Dunne

Having lived abroad, with my family, yet in the company of fellas whose families were back home, it appears to be very, very difficult. And these guys would have been on top dollar.

It appears to have been particularly difficult for the wives/kids back home.

amtc

I'd have a different view. If you can put a time limit on it what's wrong with a job away...my two best friends and my dad all spent two years away from their families with regular visits home. After two years they then made a choice. Two came home and one moved overseas. All marriages survived.

Irish_Elect_Eng

This seems like a pretty straight-forward choice.
Which does he value more, family life or work life.
Once he acknowledges his priority the decision is simple.