I'm Moving To The UK
I'm Moving To The UK
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
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
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- Otis Westinghouse
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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.
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.
http://www.forwardtoyesterday.com -- Where "hopelessly dated" is a compliment!
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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
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
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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.
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.
Like me, the "g" is silent.
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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.
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.
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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
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
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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.
How was Morrissey and Iggy Pop (Martin, who I think was going to both). I heard some of Moz on 2FM the next day.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
Where are the strong?
Who are the trusted?
Who are the trusted?
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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
So there you go. Thanks for all your comments, they really helped in what was a very bizarre and stressful week.
DrJ
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