Moving out of state

[danner1515]

Say, here's something that I've been thinking about for a while...

I'm 27 years old, and I have lived in Birmingham my whole life. For the past few months, one of my friends has been kicking around the idea of moving to another state just to get away and see what else is out there. The more he talks about it, the more it sounds like something I'd like to do as well. While I'm not exactly miserable here, I'm starting to get bored with where I am in life. I've been having growing fears of simply staying where I've lived my whole life and never taking the chance to just up and move somewhere else. I'm a terrible creature of habit, and I'm really bad about allowing myself to just settle for what's handed to me. As I said, I'm 27 years old. I have a college degree, no wife, no kids, and no debt. I have a full-time job that is comfortable but definitely not what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. Meanwhile, most of my other friends are getting married and having kids. I think now would be a great opportunity to take a gamble and try something new. Plus, I think going out with a buddy would make the transition a bit less terrifying and would immediately solve the issue of finding a roommate. I think I just need a good kick in the ass to motivate me. Have any of you guys ever just made a random move to a new place? What did you do as far as finding work? I currently have about $10K in the bank, and I'm considering really buckling down to save money for a year to see what I come up with. What do you guys think?

[StanUpshaw]

What's the worst that can happen?

[spoon]

From birmingham to? I fail to see any other location being a negative.

[underdog]

Do it. You can always go back to Birmingham if you hate everywhere else.

[foodcourtdruide]

Say, here's something that I've been thinking about for a while...

I'm 27 years old, and I have lived in Birmingham my whole life. For the past few months, one of my friends has been kicking around the idea of moving to another state just to get away and see what else is out there. The more he talks about it, the more it sounds like something I'd like to do as well. While I'm not exactly miserable here, I'm starting to get bored with where I am in life. I've been having growing fears of simply staying where I've lived my whole life and never taking the chance to just up and move somewhere else. I'm a terrible creature of habit, and I'm really bad about allowing myself to just settle for what's handed to me. As I said, I'm 27 years old. I have a college degree, no wife, no kids, and no debt. I have a full-time job that is comfortable but definitely not what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. Meanwhile, most of my other friends are getting married and having kids. I think now would be a great opportunity to take a gamble and try something new. Plus, I think going out with a buddy would make the transition a bit less terrifying and would immediately solve the issue of finding a roommate. I think I just need a good kick in the ass to motivate me. Have any of you guys ever just made a random move to a new place? What did you do as far as finding work? I currently have about $10K in the bank, and I'm considering really buckling down to save money for a year to see what I come up with. What do you guys think?

What's your degree in? What kind of work do you do now? You have enough money in the bank for a move, but I'd suggest not only finding a job first, but finding a job that will advance your career (if you have a career path).

Also, what are you looking for? Do you want to move to a city? Do you still want to be driving distance from family?

[foodcourtdruide]

Do it. You can always go back to Birmingham if you hate everywhere else.

My only hesitation would be losing his job, if he doesn't like it, he'll have a shitty resume gap.

[mdr55]

From birmingham to? I fail to see any other location being a negative.

Meridian, Mississippi.

[danner1515]

What's your degree in? What kind of work do you do now? You have enough money in the bank for a move, but I'd suggest not only finding a job first, but finding a job that will advance your career (if you have a career path).

Also, what are you looking for? Do you want to move to a city? Do you still want to be driving distance from family?

I have a Bachelor's degree in English, which admittedly isn't the most marketable degree in the world. I've been working in Medicare billing for hospice for the past four years. The pay isn't fantastic, but I get by well enough to put a decent chunk of each paycheck into savings.

I'd really like to move to a bigger city. I definitely want to get out of the South completely, which would put me well out of driving distance from my family. Just out of curiosity, I looked on Craigslist for jobs similar to what I'm doing now in the L.A. area, and I came across quite a few listings. I don't necessarily have my heart set on L.A., but I have several friends who live there (who also aren't huge earners) and it would be kind of nice moving to a city where I have some connections. Then again, the cost of living might be way out of my means.

[underdog]

I have a Bachelor's degree in English, which admittedly isn't the most marketable degree in the world. I've been working in Medicare billing for hospice for the past four years. The pay isn't fantastic, but I get by well enough to put a decent chunk of each paycheck into savings.

I'd really like to move to a bigger city. I definitely want to get out of the South completely, which would put me well out of driving distance from my family. Just out of curiosity, I looked on Craigslist for jobs similar to what I'm doing now in the L.A. area, and I came across quite a few listings. I don't necessarily have my heart set on L.A., but I have several friends who live there (who also aren't huge earners) and it would be kind of nice moving to a city where I have some connections. Then again, the cost of living might be way out of my means.

English degree? Go to NYC.

[danner1515]

English degree? Go to NYC.

Seriously? Are there lots of job opportunities in that field? I'd love to go to NYC, but cost of living is a huge concern for me.

[underdog]

Seriously? Are there lots of job opportunities in that field? I'd love to go to NYC, but cost of living is a huge concern for me.

Most major cities are going to be a huge increase in cost of living.

I would assume there are plenty of opportunities in that field in NYC. There are tons of schools and museums.

I'm actually moving to NYC in a month, so I'm biased. Everyone should move there.

[landarch]

I left North Mississippi in my 20's for a move to NJ. Getting the hell out of there was the single greatest thing I ever did in my life. It wasn't easy at first--I had the support of my chick and her family, yet it was still a huge culture shock for more than a little while. To get out there and become your own man on your own is worth fighting through all the doubt, fear, and homesickness you will endure. Good luck, and just go. You have the blessings of having money and being single. Make this happen for yourself.

[danner1515]

I'm curious if anyone here has had much experience with temp work in NYC. From what I've read, there's a real catch-22 in that landlords won't let you rent without proof of a steady, decent income, yet it's difficult finding a job without already being a resident. However, I've also read that you can get around the landlord issue by renting a room from Craigslist for a few months.

I'm really torn between making the big move or going back to school for a second degree in a more reliable field (possibly accounting). Part of me thinks going back to school would be the smart thing to do and would really pay off down the road, but the other part of me doesn't want to stay in AL for another two years and blow all my savings on tuition in the process.

[sailor]

Seriously? Are there lots of job opportunities in that field? I'd love to go to NYC, but cost of living is a huge concern for me.

Outer-boroughs are cheaper, but still probably more than you pay now. You'd also most likely make more to balance it out.

[danner1515]

Outer-boroughs are cheaper, but still probably more than you pay now. You'd also most likely make more to balance it out.

Yeah, I'm definitely prepared to pay more for rent no matter where I go, but having a roommate and no mouths to feed other than my own should make it a little less painful. I just need to make sure I can find a place where rent won't eat up 80% of my income.

[sailor]

Yeah, I'm definitely prepared to pay more for rent no matter where I go, but having a roommate and no mouths to feed other than my own should make it a little less painful. I just need to make sure I can find a place where rent won't eat up 80% of my income.

I wouldn't even worry about that, especially with a roommate.

[Justice4all]

I have a Bachelor's degree in English, which admittedly isn't the most marketable degree in the world. I've been working in Medicare billing for hospice for the past four years. The pay isn't fantastic, but I get by well enough to put a decent chunk of each paycheck into savings.

I'd really like to move to a bigger city. I definitely want to get out of the South completely, which would put me well out of driving distance from my family. Just out of curiosity, I looked on Craigslist for jobs similar to what I'm doing now in the L.A. area, and I came across quite a few listings. I don't necessarily have my heart set on L.A., but I have several friends who live there (who also aren't huge earners) and it would be kind of nice moving to a city where I have some connections. Then again, the cost of living might be way out of my means.

Why don't you go visit the places you have been thinking about moving to. Like take a vacation to L.A. or NYC or wherever you have thought about going to. Take in the cities, get the flavor of the place and see if you like it there. Then see what the job market is like and if you would have a problem getting a job there.

Do the research. It sounds like you have a lot of opportunity that not many people have at your age. And don't just check out Craigslist. Try Career Builders and Monster for other job openings too.

[danner1515]

Why don't you go visit the places you have been thinking about moving to. Like take a vacation to L.A. or NYC or wherever you have thought about going to. Take in the cities, get the flavor of the place and see if you like it there. Then see what the job market is like and if you would have a problem getting a job there.

Do the research. It sounds like you have a lot of opportunity that not many people have at your age. And don't just check out Craigslist. Try Career Builders and Monster for other job openings too.

Yeah, I was actually on Expedia last night trying to get an idea of what a trip to L.A. would cost, and I was really surprised by how affordable it could be. Since I know a few people out there, I could get a decent tutorial on the area.

One of the things that worries me about L.A. is my fear of renting the first reasonably priced place I see and then getting a job that's on the other side of the city. L.A.'s traffic is notoriously awful.

[Justice4all]

Yeah, I was actually on Expedia last night trying to get an idea of what a trip to L.A. would cost, and I was really surprised by how affordable it could be. Since I know a few people out there, I could get a decent tutorial on the area.

One of the things that worries me about L.A. is my fear of renting the first reasonably priced place I see and then getting a job that's on the other side of the city. L.A.'s traffic is notoriously awful.

Sounds like a good idea. Head out and make it a working vacation. Use your contacts for info and make the best decision.

Do you know anyone in the NYC area?

[danner1515]

Do you know anyone in the NYC area?

Beyond a handful of message board type "friends," not really. No one I'd really feel comfortable bothering to give me a tour.

[Justice4all]

Beyond a handful of message board type "friends," not really. No one I'd really feel comfortable bothering to give me a tour.

Well I am sure you can get many recommendations where to look, see, check out on here. Give it a shot. Bring a friend or two along. Again, just a suggestion.
But whatever you do, good luck with it.

[Dude!]

Do you know anyone in the NYC area?

watch out, danner1515...
you're being cruised!

[SKANE]

What's the worst that can happen?

Seriously. You're young, worst thing that happens is you go home. Or, you end up having the best time of your life.
LA or NYC? Depends, you like snow? Fucking cold here the last couple of years...

[KC2OSO]

Looking back, leaving home was the best thing I ever did. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCG9x6AEKg0)
Get yourself a copy of Queen - Jazz and get out of Dodge.

[disneyspy]

Wow this information is great! Thanks this has helped me alot! Im sure your post's are one of the best out there! always
so acurate!

sorry wrong thread