Losing a job is difficult in any situation, but for one employee, the timing couldn’t have been worse. After relocating to a new city for work and finally deciding to settle down by buying a home, he was laid off less than an hour after his house offer was accepted. The incident led to online discussion about job insecurity and the risks of making major life decisions based on employment stability.
Relocation, a new home — and a shocking call
The man shared on Reddit that he had joined a consulting firm less than a year ago and was required to move cities for the role. Only two months after relocating, he received a call informing him that his position had been eliminated as part of a 2% global headcount cut.
He mentioned that his performance ratings were always strong and that no one on his team had raised concerns about him being a layoff target. Confident about his job security, he decided to buy a house in his new city. “Less than 45 minutes after the seller took my offer, I got the call I was being laid off,” he wrote, describing how he felt “sick to my stomach.”
Netizens offer practical advice
Many Reddit users responded with sympathy and guidance on how to handle the situation. One user suggested that if the purchase offer was contingent on financing, he could likely withdraw by notifying the seller’s agent about his job loss.
Another explained that mortgage lenders require employment verification, meaning the deal might automatically fall through. “Better than being stuck with a mortgage you can’t handle,” another commenter added.
Some users clarified that the house hadn’t officially been purchased yet. “You did not just buy a house — you went under contract to potentially buy a house,” one person pointed out, urging him to contact his broker immediately to avoid possible penalties.
“Don’t move for a job” — users discuss corporate instability
The post led to a wider discussion about the dangers of relocating for work. Several commenters shared that they now avoid moving for jobs because of corporate layoffs and short-term employment cycles. “I never move for a job because most companies don’t care about workers at all,” one user wrote.
Another reflected that frequent layoffs after relocations have discouraged many professionals from taking on-site roles. One commenter said, “Companies really played themselves with this move. Even people who would have moved before now prefer remote work.”