Guy, firstly congratulations on securing the job - no mean feat in the current market! Most consultants tend on average to be away from home for 50% of the year, and I'm pleased to see your new employers have been honest about this. However, precisely because they are away from home so much consultants also tend to REALLY appreciate being back home and having a place to call their own. You need to be well placed for airports and trains, I would personally suggest saving up to buy a place as quickly as possible - so that at least when you are away you don't feel like you're lining someone else's pockets needlessly. Hope that helps, Tony