I'm Moving To The UK

DrJ · Post by **DrJ** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:46 pm

Thought I'd gauge opinions off the board.

Today I was offered a job in Leeds. The job would last five years. In order to become a consultatnt specialist in the UK/Ireland, you have to become a Specialiast Registrar (SpR) for a few years in that speciality. I need to move to the UK because the options have run out at home, there will be no SpR positions in Ireland till 2006.

Here's the thing: Leeds seems pleasant, has an excellent academic record, good quality of life but contains no friends/ people I know. They rang this morning and with the paranoia of all good medical human resources departments went "Do you want the job? Yes? Yes? Yes?". So I said "Yes".

Next Monday I have an interview in London. I now feel it's possible for me to get a job in London. If I get offered one I have a decision to make. London is great, love the place dearly though the longest I've ever spent there consecutively was six weeks. It has the gigs, food and stuff that I dig, hell, it'll soon have an Apple store. And I have a bunch of buddies there too.

So, supposing I get offered London it becomes a choice of Head (Leeds) versus Heart (London). Discuss.

It's late, I'm tired, it's been a big day.

DrJ

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 6:01 pm

London if they offer you, Leeds if they don't, and Dublin in the long term (and bear in mind how underworked you docs are gonna be with all those wonderfully fag-free pubs).

bobster · Post by **bobster** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 7:27 pm

Well, DocJ, trust me when I say you're choice of Leeds or London is a darn sight better than my current one of the South L.A. County and "the O.C." -- going behind the Orange Curtain is not something I ever expected or wanted. If you don't take Leeds, I might -- even though I have no idea where the hell it is.

And "Fag-free pubs" has a completely different meaning here. In Orange County, I suspect, most of the bars are "fag-free" in both the U.S. and UK meaning.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 7:56 pm

Congratulations, Dr J. Go with the Leeds option. A chance to meet new people, new experiences. With Ryanair both London and Dublin are quick trip away. The best of both worlds, enjoy.

Post by **BlueChair** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:57 pm

Congrats, DrJ... I'm sure Dublin to Leeds will be an adjustment, but I'm sure it will prove a new experience!

stormwarning · Post by **stormwarning** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:22 am

Dr J

Five years is a long time, and having spent the first 19 years of my life near Leeds, and 10 years in London, I would choose London every time. The weather in Leeds is crap all year round, at least London has a summer.

If you're planning to buy a place that's also another factor - both London & Leeds are ridiculously expensive, but London will aways be a better investment. You'll get to see a lot of good football too, something which Leeds can't offer any more.

Of course I don't know how much future good the London job will provide you when compared with Leeds, but I wouldn't advise anybody to spend the best years of their life in Yorkshire.

Anyway, if you're in London you'll be able to buy me a pint next time I come back from Tokyo.

Good luck either way
-SW

Gillibeanz · Post by **Gillibeanz** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:29 am

I'd say take the Leeds job if it offers you more qualifications. When you have all these wonderful qualifications you can get a job in London anyway! You will soon make friends there and Leeds is a lovely place - plus they have a wicked accent!

mood swung · Post by **mood swung** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:37 am

no Magic Eight Ball? I guess this means you're passing on the offer to be the Swung family physician. damn. I knew I should've mentioned the beans and cornbread per diem.

5 yrs/5 letters=Leeds.

seriously, does the London job entail the SpR qualifying too? which one furthers your professional aspirations more? if it comes down to which place has the better off the job environment, I'd go with London. five years can be an eternity or flash in the pan, depending. like I know anything at all! Congratulations and best of luck.

RedShoes · Post by **RedShoes** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:09 am

How about you take the place in London and have an extra room available for all of the board members that will want to visit you?

PlaythingOrPet · Post by **PlaythingOrPet** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 2:07 pm

Man, you do not want to be in London now, or any other time during the summer, DrJ. 31 degrees c already?!! I swear I'm going to kill an innocent passer-by if it carries on like this.

Leeds is just as good a city as London, it'd be a much more satisfying experience to settle there and make new friends. Plus you've got the whole of Yorkshire to play with, and Manchester isn't far.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 2:21 pm

Good point, season ticket at Old Trafford would become a reality.

crash8_durham · Post by **crash8_durham** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 2:52 pm

Never been overseas so all I can say is good luck and off you go.

DrJ · Post by **DrJ** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 6:07 pm

Thank you all, verrrry innerestin'.

The London job, which I still might not get, would leave me with the same qualification as the Leeds job. But professionally Leeds has a good reptation (as in, "oooh, he worked with Mr X in Leeds"). For what it's worth, I'll be 30 at the end of July, if that's a factor. Also for me, not interested in sport, although I drove through Headingly the other day, which was nice.

I was beginning to feel like I was smashing my head against a wall in the Irish healthcare sysytem, so it's nice to suddenly be wanted.

I'm gonna sit in Phoenix Park on Saturday and think about all this, as the Pixies play in the background.

DrJ

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:04 pm

Superb gig: Pixies, Thrills, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Wish we'd been there a week later. I'd never been in the Phoenix opark before last week. It's so huge! My mother-in-law got to meet the President for half a second at a reception there.

How was Morrissey and Iggy Pop (Martin, who I think was going to both). I heard some of Moz on 2FM the next day.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:17 pm

Mozza was bit off form, sound was ropy, the crowd was blasé. Still there were great moments, a fiery Irish Blood, English Heart, some Smiths classics.
The Stooges were incredible. Very loud, I was deaf most of Monday, they put bands a third of their age to shame for sheer energy and tight playing. The Asheton brothers rocked out, Mike Watts incredible bass was the perfect gel. Of course the Igster was showmanship itself. Beer was sprayed with abandon, middle-aged men slam danced. I can't see myself seeing a better gig this year, one can hope.

El Vez · Post by **El Vez** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:10 am

I'm afraid that I am unqualified to make a suggestion one way or the other although Otis makes a good point about new people and places.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the very best and a smooth transition.

Misha · Post by **Misha** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:03 pm

I'd say Leeds....you could always go to London....but to be away from the hustle and bustle would probably be nice.

I'm thinking of moving to Carlisle myself....hopefully in less than a year...but I don't happen to be a doctor, so it's going to be much trickier for me. That and not being a member of the freakin EU......

Good luck on either one. Though, I like the sound of Leeds better....bigger fish in a smaller pond...and London is only a drive or train ride away.

Post by **BlueChair** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:24 pm

Leeds is actually quite far from London.

PlaythingOrPet · Post by **PlaythingOrPet** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:27 pm

LA to Carlisle? Never heard of that one before, Misha.

Misha · Post by **Misha** » Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:11 pm

PoP,

I know......LA to Carlisle is a huge change....but all that beauty....I feel helpless.....

That...and I'm in love......

You know how it goes....

PlaythingOrPet · Post by **PlaythingOrPet** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 4:14 pm

Funny thing, love.

DrJ · Post by **DrJ** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:00 pm

After a great day out in London on Monday, I was offered a London job which on reflection, I'm going to take. I've always wanted to live in London, have always loved the place and using to the logic of "How will I look back on my life when I'm 70" I don't want to regret passing over a chance to live and work in London versus regretting spending 5 years in Dewsbury, Yorkshire which I was reliably informed, is a shithole.

So there you go. Thanks for all your comments, they really helped in what was a very bizarre and stressful week.

DrJ

mood swung · Post by **mood swung** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:46 am

congrats, DrJ!! best of luck to you. but if it doesn't work out, my offer is still good. all the beans and cornbread you can eat, and you'll only have to share your room with one dog.

Post by **spooky girlfriend** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:57 am

Way to go, DrJ!! Good luck to you in London - and you'll surely have a better chance of seeing Elvis there than in Dublin.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:21 pm

Well done. Good move. See you at the next EC gig!