Job Roles, What Would You Do ? (Sydney v Regional Town)

curious101 on 25/09/2019 - 01:49
Last edited 25/09/2019 - 10:28 by 1 other user

Hello Everyone

If you were given an option between the two, what option would you go for ? Both jobs are very similar.

Job 1

Salary —- 85K + 12% super
City —- Small regional leafy town, heaps of parks around
Commuting hours —- Less than 5 minutes drive, 15 min walk. Heaps of housing options close by.
House Price —- 500K for a brand new 4 bedroom house (250 m2), in a good suburb
Work pressure —- Semi-government (Relatively easy going, not a huge fan, but never heard that working less killed someone)
Parking —- Free parking. Like a breeze anywhere in town.

Job 2

Salary —- 125K + 10% super
City —- Sydney
Commuting hours —- Avg. Sydney times I guess (not sure what that is like)
House Price —- Average Sydney prices I guess (not sure what it is like)
Work pressure —- Famous US company, should be a bit more stressful
Parking —- Gives me a headache

Could you please help me decide ? Both from financial perspective and other things that I might be overlooking. For e.g. travel, convenience, parking costs I etc, or any other insight. Would living expenses in Sydney erode most of the 40K gain ?

EDIT: I am in mid-30s. Do not have any family or friends here. So that is not a consideration in making a decision. Both options are equally appealing, I just don't know enough about Job 2, but for Job 1, I was able to speak to someone in this role prior to me, so I have a lot of information about it.

Poll Options expired

  • 51
    Job 1
  • 18
    Job 2
Education & Work

Comments

  • Changskies on 25/09/2019 - 05:33
    +1

    You,'re missing job history. How many years exp, or do you already have big names under your belt? If yes, 1 is not bad idea since corporation to govt = climbing govt ladder faster. If not - then go option 2

    • SBOB on 25/09/2019 - 05:45
      +1

      This
      Or at least age…

      Start of career/young…job 2
      Older/end of career…job 1

      Somewhere in the middle..personal choice ;)

      • apsilon on 25/09/2019 - 07:01
        +1

        This is pretty much what I would've said. Only other thing I'd consider is location to family and friends if that matters to you.

  • 2jzzzz on 25/09/2019 - 05:50
    +8

    Job 1. The extra you'd earn at job two would be gobbled up by extra expenses to live in Sydney. Depends on possible future progression and if buying in Sydney fits with your financial strategy.

    I went from Melbourne (job 2) to FNQ (job 1) last year and love it. I value time outside of work more than income.

  • ihbh on 25/09/2019 - 07:06

    Do you have family (how many kids) or looking to start one?

    Consider renting first.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 25/09/2019 - 07:09
    +1

    Neither, find your purpose and passion and work 1,000x hard towards that - that's your plan and only plan.

  • Pungentia on 25/09/2019 - 07:12
    +1

    Option 1 sounds great, but it depends on what stage of your career you are at and what your financial goals are.

    If relocating to a small town, what are the other job prospects there if you are looking for career development are there options in the small town?
    Salary - is it worth taking option 2 for a few years and putting money away for travel or investment, or would this still be possible with option 1?

    Oh, and family.. if you took option 1, are you miles further away from your family, friends and support networks?

  • myusername on 25/09/2019 - 07:25
    +4

    I'll stick to breeding salamanders sorry

  • juzza87 on 25/09/2019 - 07:40
    +1

    Based on your description of Job 2 and the little research done on pricing I'd say you've already made your mind up and chosen Job 1.

    Remember that money's not everything and factors will depend on your lifestyle as much as details of the job itself. These questions are just as important to consider:

    • Do you like to go on yearly holidays?
    • Eat dinner out a lot?
    • Like the busyness that is a major city or prefer the more quiet experience of the suburbs?
    • Do you have a partner and what's their financial situation like?
    • Other financial commitments?
  • brad1-8tsi on 25/09/2019 - 07:53

    20 years back I would have job 2.

    Today in my mid-fifties with grown up children I'd take job 1.

    You need to consider your aspirations, career goals, family situation, etc

  • sparkles on 25/09/2019 - 08:00

    It's choosing between a more relaxed lifestyle and the rat-race. Only you truly know whats best for you and your family.

    Personally I'd choose the option that offers the least possible regret, so most likely Job 1.

  • trustnoone on 25/09/2019 - 08:14
    +1

    Honestly this depends on you and what your needs and everything are. If you're younger and pretty free I'd say Job 2, you'll learn the most, grow the most, become more skilled and get the most money. If you're older and looking to maybe balance life better with work then its Job 1, more relaxed, easier life, a job you could retire on if you like.

  • serpserpserp on 25/09/2019 - 08:30

    Considering this in a career vacuum. Where do you want to live? Sounds like you like the country option. If you want to have your life in the country, take up this option.

  • Bad Company on 25/09/2019 - 08:31
    +2

    Based on available information it would sound like Job 1 is the winner. Like someone already said, the extra disposable income ($65.2k vs $88.7k) is not really worth much after you factor in the extra costs of living in Sydney. This is even more true when you consider stress as a cost.

    By the way, where exactly is Job 1 located? Is it relatively close to a large city or it's in the middle of nowhere? Do you have any special requirements for your lifestyle that will be difficult to find in a country town? For example, if you come from a foreign background, a small town may not have the groceries you need. Something like that.

    • curious101 on 25/09/2019 - 10:02
      +1

      Thanks a lot, this answer was right on bang. Just realised, I could have worded my question better.

      It is close to major city. Apologies to be a douche and not giving entire information, I would have loved to, but given some of my previous discussions, other people might be able to identify me, just for that reason.

      Thanks again, I am grateful.

  • Adz81 on 25/09/2019 - 08:35
    +5

    From someone that's gone from a salary of $165k to $60k, job 1 every time…

    Life Quality > Income every day.

    • Tightpocket on 25/09/2019 - 10:24
      +2

      Hmm, sounds interesting - what's the story on this? I probably need some of the wisdom that you may already found for yourself.

      • Adz81 on 25/09/2019 - 11:24
        +4

        I was working on a mine site, hated the job, hated the impact on the environment, the impact to one's health- the only thing I like about the role was that there were some really good people that I worked with (some real douche canoes too, but you get that). There was a resturcture and my position was redeployed to an actual employee (I'd been filling the role as a contractor for the three years I was there) and rather that take another position I was offered on the mine site, I took a job on an orgainic vineyard… I had to take a couple of other jobs to supplement the income, but I'll be dropping one of those heading into vintage and transition full time to the vineyard, just keeping an additional hospitality job (only about 4-6 hours a week normally, it keeps my hospitality experience current and they have a pretty decent staff discount program in place :D ).
        I didn't use my time working in the mines anywhere near as well as I should have, and only came back with $10k saved (no debt though)…
        The downside of where I live is that rentals are hard to come by, so I bought a house instead (that said, you can buy a house here for $110k— it needed work, but it was a 3 bedroom house on a quarter acre block for $110k… It's mentioned that houses in the country may not appreciate in value, which is probably quite accurate, I figure that the repairs i've made have increased the value a fair chunk though, worst case? I can always rent it out… I live a 10 minute highway drive from work, and I can take my dog to work with me… Every now and then I might miss the money, but working outside, with my dog, helping build up a wine label and generally living a damn good life, more than makes up for it.

        • curious101 on 25/09/2019 - 12:08

          thanks for sharing it Adz81, such insight is what I was looking for.

  • Danstar on 25/09/2019 - 09:04
    -3

    In all honestly. If you decide on what job to take based on Ozb’ers opinions. You probably don’t deserve either

    Imo: you’re already swaying to job 1 with your descriptions.

    In 10 years you’d be $400,000 greater with job 2 (not including pay increases)

    • powerman on 25/09/2019 - 09:47

      its a bit simplistic to say you would be 400k richer as you have to take into account taxes and expenses incurred from living in a busy, expensive city.

      • curious101 on 25/09/2019 - 10:01

        Yes, I don't have idea about this, so I thought I would ask. On paper yes, Job 2 is 40 K higher, but after taxes, 1 hour of commute expenses, other expenses, comparative cost of living in a big house like this, not sure how to calculate that part. Sorry the question was not clear.

      • Danstar on 25/09/2019 - 10:41

        I was just pointing out a positive from job 2, as job 1 looks all positive in relation to transport, stress of job, etc.

  • Freitag on 25/09/2019 - 09:48
    +1

    It depends where you're based. it you're in a regional town and happy stay there, if you're in Sydney and happy stay there. If you're moving regardless, choose the lifestyle you prefer.
    Option 1 sounds good to me, but I'm established in Sydney and don't want to leave friends and family. I don't think relocating would be worthwhile for me.

  • wizzy on 25/09/2019 - 09:53

    As everyone else has said, it really depends on your own personal circumstances and goals.

    Some things to consider:

    -Houses in the country (I'm assuming country NSW) are cheaper, but may not increase in value over time. They may even decrease. This may limit you in the future. Having equity in your house can open the door to many other financial opportunities.
    -What are the long term job prospects in regional NSW? Is it a big prosperous town that is still growing, or is the population declining? If the population is declining then your job may not exist in a few years and there may not be many other jobs available in that town either.
    -It is expensive to live in Sydney. Houses are expensive too. You can buy houses in the $500-600K range but they will be in very outer suburbs and will likely need some renovation. Depending on where you work, your commute time may be an hour or more each way.
    -Even though Sydney house prices are more expensive, they are a pretty safe bet in the long term regarding capital gains. In 10 years you may have enough equity in your house to use as a deposit on another house or to invest elsewhere.
    -Do you have children or are you planning on having children? Does the country town offer your children the opportunities you would like them to have? There are generally plenty of great sporting opportunities in regional NSW, but schooling options might be limited.

    I live in Sydney, but have family who live in different country NSW towns. I love living in Sydney and wouldn't want to move to regional NSW, but my family who live in country NSW love where they live too and wouldn't want to move to Sydney. Their most common complaints to me about where they live are tight water restrictions because of the severe drought, uncertainty about the future of their town (jobs, water supply, general facilities, shops closing down), travel times if they want to leave their town and go on holiday, lack of entertainment, and poor or limited mobile/internet service. I don't think I personally have any complaints about Sydney, but other people complain to me about the annoyance of constant construction and road works, the feeling of living in a "rat race," travel times, peak hour traffic, and the cost of living.

    • curious101 on 25/09/2019 - 12:06

      Thanks a ton Wizzy, I am grateful.

      As per your comment below, people often point out housing costs, but essentially it comes down to $1 million investment in city vs 500K investment in a smaller town. With the salary to service the bigger loan, I don't think it is so much of a financial disadvantage, as often made out. But I might be wrong.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2019 - 09:55
    +1

    Job 2 - you are in an area where there are other jobs.

    Job 1 - lose your job, relocate.

  • Ryanek on 25/09/2019 - 11:44
    +4

    For me it would be Job 2 to be honest. I guess it all depends on your demeanor. Are you a stay at home kind of guy or do you like to socialise and be more active?

    You say you have no family and friends and I think it'll be harder to change that in a small regional town.

    • curious101 on 25/09/2019 - 12:09
      +1

      True, regional towns do have some downside.

  • wizzy on 25/09/2019 - 11:48
    +2

    I also posted above, but in regards to the cost of living in Sydney vs the cost of living in country NSW I wanted to add the following:

    In my experience the cost of living in Sydney is only higher in relation to housing costs. I think that groceries, petrol and other items can actually be more expensive in the country because they have to add in the cost of transporting them there.

    I had to buy a new mattress recently. We were visiting Orange and were walking past a big chain furniture store, so decided to go in and have a look at mattresses. We ended up finding the right mattress. I took a photo of the tag so I could go to one of the Sydney chain stores and buy it there. When I went to the Sydney store, the price on the tag for the same mattress was $50 cheaper than the same shop in Orange. When I asked why, they said that it was because of the extra cost of transporting stock to Orange.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2019 - 18:52
    +1

    Salary Difference = 13500-95200 = 42300/year
    Commuting time difference = Not enough information.
    House Price difference = 1.8mil-500k = 1.3 mil
    Work Pressure Difference = Not enough information.
    Parking Difference= Headache level - Easy level

    What about Taxes, Social life, Partying, Dating, Expenses, Rate of Savings, Risk and Work Pressure bearing capability, other Goals and opportunities and where they can be achieved better etc.

  • TheBilly on 26/09/2019 - 14:29
    +1

    Love Sydney… But geez she takes it out of you.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/09/2019 - 13:49

    Job 2. Get as much experience and tighten the belt as much as you can now before you decide to procreate and/or have a mid-life crisis. It's always nice to have some savings to fall back on.

  • Adz81 on 25/10/2019 - 00:49

    Any updates, OP?
    Interested to see where you landed 😊

  • curious101 on 25/10/2019 - 02:07
    +1

    Thank you everyone for your comments and voting, appreciate your input. Waiting for police clearance for Job 1, had to let the Job 2 go. Hopefully in 3 weeks time, I will have the outcome.

    • SlavOz on 27/10/2019 - 11:22
      +1

      Good luck mate. Nothing wrong either. Personally I despise Sydney everytime I need to go close to the CBD - it's noisy, smelly, full of weirdos and crackheads, expensive, and outright detrimental to your health to live and work in everyday. But at the same time I realize doing so is a privilege very few get to enjoy, and your ability to do it is limited by age. For that reason I still want to give it a crack for a few years before I get too old and lose the option forever. But if you're not interested in massive career success, rich lifestyle, showing off that you live in a major city etc, power to you. I've worked in regional towns and its great.

      • curious101 on 27/10/2019 - 12:54

        Thanks a ton bud.Grateful.

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