A common personal question.
WHAT PEOPLE CITE FOR LEAVING
Compensation Infrastructure Stability Opportunities for children
WHAT PEOPLE CITE FOR STAYING
Family and community Cost of living relative to income Opportunity in a growing market Building something here
WHAT TO ESTABLISH HONESTLY
What you actually want, rather than what is expected.
WHAT TO COMPARE PROPERLY
Income against cost of living, not headline figures Career progression in each Quality of daily life Distance from people who matter
WHY HEADLINE FIGURES MISLEAD
A larger salary in an expensive city may leave less.
WHAT TO ACCOUNT FOR
Housing Tax Childcare Transport Health cover
WHAT REMOTE WORK OFFERS AS A MIDDLE ROUTE
International compensation with local costs.
WHAT IT LACKS
Immigration status, and physical presence.
WHAT TO RECOGNISE ABOUT LEAVING
The first years are typically harder than expected.
WHAT COMMONLY SURPRISES PEOPLE
Starting again professionally Isolation Costs not anticipated
WHAT TO DO BEFORE DECIDING
Speak to several people who did it, including those who returned.
WHY THOSE WHO RETURNED
Their perspective is rarely sought and frequently useful.
WHAT TO AVOID
Deciding on social media impressions.
WHAT TO ACCEPT
That either choice is legitimate.
