Relocating
What are other forum members' attitudes to moving to another area of the country in pursuit of a new job?
As some of you will already know, I was dismissed from a job in a branch of the scientific civil service back in May. While I attempt to sue my former employers for unfair dismissal, there remains the pressing issue of finding a new job. That in turn raises the issue of where (in the geographical sense) to look. I've been in Exeter for the last 6 years, ever since my firm relocated from Bracknell, Berkshire (although I'm from London originally).
Some thoughts/questions I've had on this matter:
- All other things being equal, it's better to have an interesting job in a less-than-interesting location than the other way round.
- Should I just move to wherever the first job offer is?
- Or should I draw up a list of towns/areas that sound congenial and target my job applications accordingly?
- How can I decide which places are best to live in (bearing in mind that living in an area is totally different from visiting as a tourist)?
- How can I afford to move to a more expensive area? I own my own (1-bed) flat in Exeter - would I have to go back to sharing houses with strangers?
- What if my next job doesn't work out? Am I setting myself up to move with every job change?
- How can I find out how affordable places really are? Is London totally out of the question?
- How much time should I set aside for property hunting and letting/selling the Exeter flat? This is critical because I need to have an idea of this in order to answer the inevitable question "how soon can you start work?"
Relocating
A friend of mine works at a Insurance Company. In October 2010 most of their operations are moving to Kansas. He's not happy about this. He's trying to get another job or even another position in the reminding departments of the company. The company told the employees that if they stay on until the end of October 2010 and do not go to Kansas they can be paid (with benefits) for about three months. Get this, if a employee does decide to go to Kansas they would have to apply for their own job, interview for it and take a possible salary cut based on the tax rate over at Kansas.
As much as I don't like working for the college I'm glad that I'm not this position. I don't think I can ever relocate to another place due to my job, even if I really liked it. The change, adjustments...etc would be a little too much for me. Plus I'm use to where I live now.
Temporary Change
There is a big difference in the distances in the US and the UK but the issues inherent within a move as outlined are broadly the same.
No sure if it is possible but how about asking to suspend the redundancy offer and trying the move? Companies are prepared to do this in the UK and it would be a chance to make the move to see if one liked it in the knowledge that, if it doesn't work out, you can rescind your decision and take the cash and leave?
It could be a good way for someone with Aperger to try experiencing a move without the stress, knowing that it is nota permanent situation.
Who knows: without the worry it may even mean that the person likes the new location and change and sciks with it! The important thing I feel, is not to reject possible change flat.
Re: Temporary Change
My friend wouldn't mind considering the move if it was to a better area. The area in Kansas that the company is moving to isn't that great. There's not much to do there plus he doesn't want to leave his family. From what I understand if someone does decide to go to Kansas and gets the job that's it, you cannot move back unless you resign from the position and found another different job.
Puuting the Job First
There are a number of issues for me here, but they all come "after" the primary consideration: is the job in question right for you?
You have clearly been through a challenging time in relation to your last position. Something like you describe will have an impact on anyone; having Asperger will mean that it may well be more pronounced.
I had to leave a job over ten years ago that meant the absolute world to me. The organisation underwent fundamental change or, to put it more bluntly went through a "night of the long knives".
Part of the process was the closure of the Head Office and its move to a different part of the country, albeit still in the South East (UK). Whilst I personally would not have had to move, had I stayed it would have involved a very difficult daily journey.
In the event I wasn't offered a position at the new location so the question of any move was irrelevant. However, looking back the job - or more pertinently the new culture that was being created - would not have suited me. In other words the role would not have been right. Consideration of the journey involved was, therefore, secondary.
This is what I think you need to focus on. Moving to a new area, finding accomodation, adjusting to a different scenario all involve significant change which, as we know, can be highly challenging from an Asperger perspective.
However, first-and-foremost, the key objective I feel should be to get the "right" job. You have had a disruptive work experience and it is important that the next position is, as far as possible, stable and enables you to build your experience, skill-set and confidence. You have successfully relocated once, so this is something you are capable of doing effectively again.
Think hard about what type of job you want/need next; what key elements will enable you to work well and be happy (not easy I know).
Then seek to secure an appropriate role. You can concentrate on ancilliary requirements like accomodation afterwards. For example, you could rent somewhere for six months when you join to give you some time in this area.
One other thing. Try not to think about "what if the job doesn't work out?" Doing so is pointless - it may or may not - but if you allow these thoughts to enter your mind they will exert a negative effect. You can - and will - be successful in your next role and think about realising that only.
I know that it is easy to say the latter, but I have been there and have successfully overcome it.
You will too!
From Tom
Aeolienne
I am posting this on behalf of Tom who is having difficulty transferring from a Word document.
Malcolm:
Hi Aeolienne I am really sorry to hear about your job and hope that all goes well with your claim. Regarding your questions here are some initial ideas:
- Should I just move to wherever the first job offer is?
- Or should I draw up a list of towns/areas that sound congenial and target my job applications accordingly?
- How can I decide which places are best to live in (bearing in mind that living in an area is totally different from visiting as a tourist)?
Regarding these three you mind find it helpful to draw up a list of criteria covering both work and non work factors and weight it according to the importance of each factor .(I did this for one of my relocations in the past ) . I think the answer to your first question depends on part on how specialised your role is and how strong the job market is.
- How can I afford to move to a more expensive area? I own my own (1-bed) flat in Exeter - would I have to go back to sharing houses with strangers?
- What if my next job doesn't work out? Am I setting myself up to move with every job change?
- How can I find out how affordable places really are? Is London totally out of the question?
- How much time should I set aside for property hunting and letting/selling the Exeter flat? This is critical because I need to have an idea of this in order to answer the inevitable question "how soon can you start work?"
Regarding this group of questions in the current market my sense is that you should consider renting a room first. This would help you answer the ‘do I want to live here question and you can start work quickly’. An alternative to a house share is renting a room off a landlord - I did this with my current job and I think that it is easier than dealing with the complexities of a house share. I don’t know how well you know London ( and I know people have widely divergent views on it) but my suggestion would be to consider three sub questions :
· Am I happy to commute, potentially in very crowded and slow trains / tubes?
· Do I mind living in a dodgy area – am I streetwise and am I prepared some restrictions on my lifestyle?
· Am I prepared to put up with very small accommodation?
Buying in London on a budget often involves a trade off of the above. In general I suggest looking at SE London in less well known areas as they are a bit cheaper and can be quite pleasant. And a renting a room is a lot cheaper than buying.
How well do I know London?
As I said in my original posting, I grew up in London - Highbury and Golders Green to be precise. South of the river is a foreign country to me! And yes, I would mind living in a dodgy area (particularly one that would entail hanging around unstaffed railway stations after dark) and no, I don't think I'm that streetwise.
Honestly, I think there
Honestly, I think there would be far too much upheaval in moving to another location and it would be going backwards if you own a flat. It would be better to search for something in the area where you live even if it is a lower level job - just as long as the conditions are tolerable and the pay okay.