Singing Pig

I'm a self-employed IT consultant, so my comments.

Yes, IT pays very well, so property is another investment route (many of us don't 'do' pensions', as we see prefer our own control and don't think p[ensions gives us the return).

After 20 years, I am bored of IT, so am looking for a fresh challenge (though for past 4 years I have done both IT and props - busy at times but enjoyable).  Long term, I will move into props only.

As for the guy that mentioned about Indians undercutting and overpaid Contractors, this is sour grapes.  I used to be an 'underpaid' IT worker 12 years ago and so went Contracting.  Please feel free to do the same my friend, if it is so easy as you make out,  you will be very welcome as part of our ranks.

Reagrds to all

Weller

I am an IT system architect, and I will never leave IT because I love it too much. The pay is very good and I am very good in what I do. I am not a BMV 'trader' as such because although I have bought my properties below market price, I don't sell them. With just two properties I hardly qualify to be a 'trader'.

I think you'll find there is an over-representation of IT people in property because they have a good amount of savings in the bank, they are used to dealing with lots of people (including some total ass****s) on a daily basis, and usually they are quite skeptical of all the bullshit that goes around in their organisation and in the world (although I have come across some really naive ones, but then they were not very good in IT either).

I am 36, I don't plan to retire ever, unless my health forces me to. The job is challenging, I use a lot of anaytical thinking in solving complicated business problems. I really enjoy the daily company of friends and colleagues. Once my child has grown up, both I and my wife (also in the same job) will go into contracting, earning even more money, ploughing them back into property.

I also think not being desperate to retire (or get rich quick) has helped me avoid making stupid mistakes that I hear a lot of people have. I however spent 5 fruitless years in search of a stock trading method that works. I didn't get anywhere but on the upside it made me even more skeptical, which is a good thing.