Where is the best place to restart my life/career?

Hi all,

I'm not happy with my life. I live in the Nordics and have worked for some time as an analyst at a BB, but I don't like banking and I hate this country. I want to switch to something else in finance but also think moving to a different country could help, as I’m constantly reminded of my childhood and HS/college years here. My mental health is getting worse, I feel empty and have so many regrets, I hate the memories I’ve made here and I hate my family and have 0 friends left, so I need to relocate ASAP to get a fresh start before I hit my 30s.

I plan to apply for jobs soon and introduce myself to HHs, but dont know what countries to target. The jobs I’m planning to focus on are buyside related, though I’m still figuring out the exact industry. Most importantly, I want to figure out the location first.

I was thinking the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, Kenya, ME or Singapore. Ideally it should be a country with an existing buyside ecosystem, no or less strict local language requirements, and reasonable visa rules with the potential to apply for a permanent residence a few years down the line.

Any suggestions on where to relocate to restart my life and career?

Thanks a lot in advance!

10 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights on the best places to restart your life and career, particularly in the context of Commercial Real Estate (CRE) and finance:

Major US Cities for CRE Career:

  • New York
  • Miami
  • San Francisco
  • Atlanta
  • Los Angeles
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Washington, DC
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • Phoenix (potentially)

Relocating Tips:

  1. Network and Local Ties:

    • If you have strong ties to a specific city, it might be beneficial to leverage those connections.
    • For example, if you have a network in Atlanta and plan to return there in the future, it could be a strategic move.
  2. Personal Preferences:

    • Consider what is important to you personally. Some people prefer to live near the ocean, while others need a place with snow in the winter.
    • Your personal happiness and lifestyle preferences should play a significant role in your decision.
  3. Career Progression:

    • Moving to a new city can be a great opportunity for personal growth and expanding your network.
    • People often respect those who have experience in different markets, which can be beneficial for your career.
  4. Local Market Knowledge:

    • Be prepared to learn about the new market, network with new people, and prove yourself in a new environment.
    • Research seminars and business clubs in the area to meet interesting people and build your network.

Specific Advice for Relocating:

  • Pitch and Local Presence:

    • Have a clear pitch on why you want to relocate.
    • Consider getting a local phone number and address to show that you are serious about the move.
  • Targeting Tier 1 Cities:

    • If you are aiming for top-tier cities like NYC or LA, be prepared for competitive environments and high costs of living.
    • These cities offer significant opportunities but come with their own set of challenges.

Personal Growth:

  • Getting Out of Comfort Zone:
    • Relocating can be scary and uncertain, but it is often worth the risk for personal growth.
    • Stepping out of your comfort zone is where you grow the most as a person.

Conclusion:

  • Choose a City with Opportunities:
    • Aim for a city with a strong buyside ecosystem and reasonable visa rules.
    • Consider cities where you can see yourself living happily and where you can build a new network and career.

If you need more specific advice or have further questions, feel free to ask!

Sources: Best cities to start your CRE career, Question for Those Who Moved Cities, 30 and a bit lost in career - Advice Appreciated, When to jump - Advice on switching jobs, careers, and fields, I was fired today, don't know what to do....

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

So I guess this depends A LOT on you and where you get your shits and giggles outside of work. But for me the UK seems like the #1 choice. It's by far the biggest economy and financial market of those you've listed, the only difficulty might be getting in. The other advantage of London is, again, having a huge diversity of people (most of whom weren't born / raised in London) and things to do (whether you like 5-a-side football or comedy clubs or the restaurant scene you have a lot). Obviously there's no language requirements (us Brits can hardly speak English).

South Africa and Kenya(?) I think you have no chance. You have no angle and these markets usually require knowing the local markets. 

Netherlands could also be interesting, but I'd imagine there's more of a language barrier there, especially in integrating and making friends.

Singapore would be great but the visa requirements are only going in one direction and that's not a direction helpful to you.

Middle East is probably a good option in terms of finding a role, and you have a ready-made community of expats, but this is personal taste and for a lot of people it's a non-starter.

 

NYC

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I’d say the UK but in case of visa issues, perhaps try Amsterdam or Dubai

 

Have you thought about getting an MBA? It will give you two years to really work on yourself, and also provide a "break". You will get to do lots of travelling and make new friends, while also gaining a network of 1000s. For what it's worth, I have not gotten my MBA, I haven't even graduated college yet. I had a sibling in the same situation and she was a new person after the experience. 

 

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