What to do?

Posted on Wednesday 6 June 2007 at 07:05 - Post Comment

So, T's got this interview tomorrow, and it's the very first one she's been offered in over 10 applications.  Problem is, it's in Ashburton which is 1 hr from where we currently live. 

The one and only upside: As it is a 12 month contract, if she gets the job it means that we can make an application to NZ Immigration for residency. 

The downsides are many: T would nead to travel 1 1/2 hrs from central ChCh where we currently live and are happy, or 45 minutes from Rolleston if we choose to move there to make the commute easier - only rents in Rolly are nearly 3 times what we currently pay.  The other option is to move nearer to Ashburton, and we both commute 30 minutes to work.  However this and the Rolly option means buying and running another vehicle.  Otherwise we move to Ashburton and I do the commute.  Unsurprisingly, I am not keen on this.  As well as the location thing, if we did move we lose the city living we are so enjoying, and which will end once we get the house built in Rolly, so we really want to make it last as long as possible.

Just to add a little spice to the mix, the applications to a ChCh based school close in a week, but in all probability Ashburton - if they offer T the job - will want an answer before then.

So - the options are to:

a) Go to the interview and if offered turn it down

b) Go to the interview and if offered accept, and we move to somewhere closer, then T leaves if another job closer to ChCh comes up.  However this shows a lack of integrity on T's part, and not at the top of the list.

c) Same as option 'a' but say 'I need some time to think about it' and see if the other job leads to an interview. Problem here is that even before applying, the Ashburton job said that we need to be serious in our application as they really don't want timewasters applying - or words to that effect.  Cue instant quilt to the T.  Could lose only possible job offer.

d) Go to the interview and if offered accept, and we stay put  in the City = nightmare commute for T.  Keep lifestyle, but deal with 2 hrs a day in a car. Gain residency.

e) Go to the interview and if offered accept, and we move to Ashburton = nightmare commute to me.  Lose lifestyle, gain residency.

f) Stop pressurising ourselves, T stops looking for 12 month contracts and goes for whatever, and I ask my company to sponsor me on a work to reside contract.  Take our chances.

Written down, it seems that we should just swallow it and suffer a commute either way.  Only thing is, we didn't move here for that, and in all honesty we just don't want to do it.  12 months of unhappyness was not a reason to travel half way across the world.  Now how d'ya like them apples?

Bugger it.  I know it'll work out in the end one way or another, but at the moment our heads are spinning.