[irishman_irl]

Thanks guys - some sound advice there. Really do appreciate your views and take them on board.

Even though the economy is bad and there are 1000 reasons why I should stay in my "safe" job (and rot) I'll never know if I don't take a risk and always wonder what if....

The freezing weather and astronomically high cost of living here is really grating on me, feel like I want to be somewhere else for a few years.

I have enough money to live & travel for at least 3 months it the job does not work out, after which time if I'm still just hitting a wall I can return home and get a job easily enough, but will mean starting all over again.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

[jrice]

Originally Posted by irishman_irl

Thanks guys - some sound advice there. Really do appreciate your views and take them on board.

Even though the economy is bad and there are 1000 reasons why I should stay in my "safe" job (and rot) I'll never know if I don't take a risk and always wonder what if....

The freezing weather and astronomically high cost of living here is really grating on me, feel like I want to be somewhere else for a few years.

I have enough money to live & travel for at least 3 months it the job does not work out, after which time if I'm still just hitting a wall I can return home and get a job easily enough, but will mean starting all over again.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Success in life is all about taking risks. Without risk there is no reward and to quote an old, but very true saying, you will never know until you try

[yellowsnow]

I get having to, needing to, take a chance. What's life for if not to live?

When I was 14, I left the US and went to school in France for 5 years. Scary but it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Keep a positive attitude and Las Vegas will treat you well. Best of luck.

[amolon]

I agree with the last two posters and say go for it!

You have a good job lined up and you have an exit plan if things turn sour.
On the other hand it could open up many doors to you that you never dreamed of, as this economic situation turns around.

Of course it is you life and decision, mistakes can be fixed, regrets are never really resolved.

[Plain Jane 3953]

The annual leave that US employers give their staff is obscene - most give a week or two. It is not like in civilised countries where all employees get at least four weeks (I get 6 weeks).

[airics]

Originally Posted by Plain Jane 3953

The annual leave that US employers give their staff is obscene - most give a week or two. It is not like in civilised countries where all employees get at least four weeks (I get 6 weeks).

i'd like to introduce you to the forum's newest troll or naysayer for that matter.

[StereoDevil]

Well since we are so uncivilized lets roll out the pot, fire up the pit, and cook up some Plain Jane for dinner. Anyone got some drums so we can run around the fire in our uncivilized country.

Originally Posted by Plain Jane 3953

The annual leave that US employers give their staff is obscene - most give a week or two. It is not like in civilised countries where all employees get at least four weeks (I get 6 weeks).

[StereoDevil]

Irishman I can't say what other IT people are having to work but I'm a Switch Engineer at one the big four cell companies and I am on-call every so many weeks. I can tell you a lot of companies don't want you to do overtime to ave money. So it might be that way and it might not.

As far as days off. Some companies you don't start with any days off, you accrue them as time passes. Every company I have ever worked for gave at least two weeks of vacation days and 7 PTO days.

I have started a job with none and I have started jobs with 14.