I'd appreciate some advice on this!
I work in construction management, and generally am 2nd in charge on projects working under a project manager Typical value $15-30M.
I was asked to work in a different city for a few months. Typical arrangement for management staff working away is additional pay, flight home every weekend, accommodation. I've worked away for around 12 months in the last 18 months, so am familiar with the what normally happens. On this particular project, since I grew up and lived in the away city until recently I told them I was happy so skip the weekly flights.
Anyway, I discussed with the project manager (PM) for them to send several options for accommodation to me and I'd pick which one I liked. Didn't happen - they just booked a tiny studio unit (cheap, and the 3 other staff in the office that are living away all have better accommodation). There are a number of issues - the layout of the unit itself is poor and doesn't work well, no oven, kitchen is very poorly equipped, washer/dryer has already ruined several loads of my clothes through dye running. I've brought up the issues a couple of times and provided alternate options which have been dismissed. They have sorted out the utensils and are apparently getting an oven installed but there has been no progress on this. I got sick of this and sent the PM an email basically saying the unit is unacceptable accommodation, I'll provide an alternative and work will need to arrange to move me in there. The PM has refused and told me if I don't like the accommodation then go back to my original city.
So here's the dilemma - stay in the living away city, getting the additional perks, plus I am really enjoying catching up with old friends. Except the PM is a tyrant boss, egotistical, always right type personality, and I don't particularly enjoy the type of project I'm working on. Or move back to where I now live permanently and resume my old project (which I enjoy more), with a short-term reduction in other employee's opinion of me, but I have a much smaller social circle. The PM has stated he would prefer me to stay in the away city.
My current thoughts - I gave the PM an ultimatum, provide alternate accommodation or I leave. He has provided a couple of weak promises/work arounds (work will pay for all my clothes to be laundered, and are 'chasing up' the oven installation which is a lip service statement as far as I am concerned until an install date is confirmed). So, I want to go back to my old project and not stay with the tyrant PM and go back on my ultimatum. But I won't be paid as much, and have a worse off social circle...I don't think I care too much about the likely drop in reputation, this particular PM is know to be a tyrant with little respect for others and I am going to quit my job to spend a couple of years travelling at the end of this year anyway!
Would appreciate any extra input? Cause I'm not entirely sure I'm making the right decision. For what it's worth, the PM has told me I'm being pretty childish.