5 year transfer to the UK

[Kwaipie]

So, I have been offered a 5 year transfer to a new office staffed by me alone for the same company I currently work at to act as a "follow the sun" tech support manager. My wife is currently seeking a new job at a completely different employer and my lease is up in one month. Has anyone been an ex-pat for their employer before?

Should I jump?
What should I ask for as a compensation package?

Please be realistic.

 

[mrkun]

I suggest you go to the BusinessWeek B-school forums and ask this.

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I have been offered a 5 year transfer to a new office staffed by me alone for the same company I currently work at to act as a "follow the sun" tech support manager. My wife is currently seeking a new job at a completely different employer and my lease is up in one month. Has anyone been an ex-pat for their employer before?

Should I jump?
What should I ask for as a compensation package?

Please be realistic.

Where do you live now, and where in the UK might you be?

I liked the UK while I was there, but the lack of sunlight almost drove me bonkers (it was in February). I had about four people tell me it didn't rain much where I was going (Cambridge area). Of course it rained every day for the first two weeks I was there.

 

[Kwaipie]

Originally posted by: Gibsons

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I have been offered a 5 year transfer to a new office staffed by me alone for the same company I currently work at to act as a "follow the sun" tech support manager. My wife is currently seeking a new job at a completely different employer and my lease is up in one month. Has anyone been an ex-pat for their employer before?

Should I jump?
What should I ask for as a compensation package?

Please be realistic.

Where do you live now, and where in the UK might you be?

I liked the UK while I was there, but the lack of sunlight almost drove me bonkers (it was in February). I had about four people tell me it didn't rain much where I was going (Cambridge area). Of course it rained every day for the first two weeks I was there.

Looks like probably the Newcastle area which is very close to Scotland (greatly pleasing my wife) Currently live in Portland, OR, weather is a wash. I've been to the area a couple of dozen times and am very familiar with the environs.

 

[Syringer]

Any idea how much they might pay you? Stuff over there is way expensive.

 

[SuperNaruto]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Any idea how much they might pay you? Stuff over there is way expensive.

yeah, i was in uk a few times recently... it is extremely expensive there... like almost 2x - 2.5x

 

[Kwaipie]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Any idea how much they might pay you? Stuff over there is way expensive.

Haven't even discussed this part yet. The wife and I currently combine for about $130k USD. Rent on a comparable apartment is roughly the same. Car would be provided.

 

[Rage187]

ask for lots of $$$, I stayed in the UK on business for a few weeks and it's super expensive even in the country. The dollar doesn't go far there.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Rage187
ask for lots of $$$, I stayed in the UK on business for a few weeks and it's super expensive even in the country. The dollar doesn't go far there.

QFT

i go to England usually 2 times a year and you should know and remember this:

Your dollar is worth roughly 50 cents there.
Everything costs the same AMOUNT as it does here (thus costing double), and food is usually served in smaller portions. (ie their large coke = our small coke) No free refills unless you really push it, either. And be ready to pay for extra ketchup or bbq sauce.

A lunch meal at BK for me and my sister (who is a vegetarian) costs me about $18..