Seriously considering leaving 9-5
I'm looking for honest perspectives from people who have left secure, well-paid careers to pursue property full time, or another business, here in the UK.
A bit about me.
I have a degree in Estate Management & Facility Management and spent around 10 years working in commercial real estate before moving into financial regulatory compliance about four years ago.
The move into compliance was largely motivated by the money. Financially, it's been a great decision, but professionally I've realised it just isn't work I enjoy or find meaningful. The role itself isn't the issue—it's simply not something I can see myself doing for the next 20 years.
Outside of work, property has always been where my interest lies. We've also run an Airbnb in the past, which performed well before we sold the property because it became increasingly tax inefficient to hold it personally. Alongside property, I've also started a clothing brand, although that's very much a longer-term project rather than something I'd rely on financially.
My wife and I have been quite deliberate with our finances. We earn similar salaries and have structured our household so that all of our essential bills can comfortably be covered by either one of our incomes. If one of us stopped working tomorrow, we'd need to make some lifestyle adjustments, but nothing too dramatic.
Our current financial position is roughly:
£68k in ISAs
£74k in instant access savings
£15k invested in a venture capital fund
Our home is worth around £480k with a £354k mortgage
I'm now seriously considering leaving compliance to return to property full time, focusing on residential development and investment.
The reasons are fairly straightforward:
I already have a decade of experience in the property industry.
I genuinely enjoy property and building businesses.
The corporate environment has become increasingly stressful, with continual restructures and redundancy rounds.
The job has reached the point where it's having a noticeable impact on my mental wellbeing.
That said, I'm very conscious that this could simply be burnout talking. I have no illusions that running my own business is easier—if anything, I expect it to be significantly harder. The difference is that I'd rather work hard building something I genuinely care about than continue in a career that I no longer enjoy.
The biggest concern for me isn't the hard work; it's the opportunity cost. Walking away from a good salary could delay our long-term financial goals if things don't go to plan. On the other hand, staying in employment isn't entirely risk-free either, given how common restructures and redundancies have become.
So I'd really value hearing from people who've actually made the jump.
Did you leave a secure career to pursue property or another business?
Looking back, was it the right decision?
What did you underestimate before making the leap? If you could go back, what would you have wanted in place before handing in your notice?
I'd really appreciate hearing both the success stories and the cautionary tales.