Hey. I was wondering if any of you have experience of working away from your family permanently/long-term ?

 

I have been unsuccessful in looking for work in my chosen industry/profession in the area I live so have been looking for work further afield, about 2.5 hours a way. The idea being that I will rent a place near work and stay there Mon-Fri, and come home at the weekends.

 

I'm Married with 2 daughters, relocation for the family is not really an option currently (Wife is doing well at work, and kids in school ..etc) and this is not something I have done before, so looking to see if anyone else has experience of working away from their family.....any advice or thoughts you can give on the subject ?

I've done it on many occasions. Usually stay in a b& b I live in Filey and quite often have to work in London. You just have to make the weekends special for your partner/wife

 

I prefer staying in a b & b because you get well looked after if you find a good one and they'll often do a deal on the rate if its going to be long term

I've been doing it for the last 15 years due to the industry I work in. My family live in Cumbria and I work 365 miles away in South London. Me and my bird havnt had an argument or fallen out in over 4 years now

I've worked at sea for 15 years, and used to spend approx 4 months away from home at a time. Much of that time out of communications range.

 

Patience and understanding on both parts are key. You both have to be fully aware and admit that it's going to be tough initially.

But with Skype/email/mobiles etc it's so much easier to keep in regular touch nowadays.

 

make sure financially that it is going to work too.

It didn't effect me as I work on a ship and have no outgoings for board and lodge. But I know people who have moved away to work elsewhere in the country and have ended up worse off financially as they have a mortgage at home, rent at their work, and then weekend travel costs on top.

I've worked away for some years now too and it makes going home so much better. Spend time apart makes the heart grow fonder and all...although I'm trying to work near my home now so expecting the arguments haha

Thanks. Looking at 1yr rolling contracts at the moment. Have a friend in the area who I may end up renting a house with, which should keep costs down.

Done it for quite a few years now and tbh I'm trying to get work back home again now. It's ok for a while but I find I miss having a 'home' life as I feel I miss a lot, also keeping up to date with various things is difficult as you have limited time at home to do them which again eats into family time.

I was 72 miles away from home at RAF Boulmer and never made it a home away from home. I always was nipping back and when I was stuck there had few home comforts.

 

Here at lossie it's great I'm bloody miles away but living to a better standard and planning visits down and people coming up better. It is quality time.

I think you have to weigh up the pros and cons mate, I'm away sporadically, few weeks home every night another away every night. I really dislike staying away, but for me it's a lonely afair as I'm on my own mostly, staying in hotels.

My father worked away for over 15 years, home most weekends. He did it for te same reasons as you, but you burn a lot of cash the way he was working, restaurant and bar in the evenings with your co workers. So you've gotta be careful it's easy to spend the extra on rubbish in some scenarios. Just weigh it up, work to live don't live to work.

I work offshore in the oil and gas industry and work a three on three of basis and the time at home is your own to a degree. i like it its always tough away but it always the nuts getting home. great for your love life. and the children get used to it. they are 4 11 and 13 no issues