Considering moving to Albuquerque (Alamogordo, Clovis: section 8, renter, job market)

[Meeko1999]

This is my situation, I am living in New Jersey and am currently pregnant and have public assistance as my source of income. I've recently had some thing happen with my neighbors and they're getting me evicted and my Section 8 terminated and no family member or friends can help. I also need a completely new start, plus the cost of living is getting outragous. I also live with my mother who is disabled. I desperately need to find out how to start. My mother has a van and we have enough saved for gas. we're only going to have approx. 1,500 to move with. I also have a dog that weighs about 30lbs. that I've had since he was a puppy and he's 9. Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to sponge off the system, I also need to know about programs to help me get back into the work force and I also need to know about getting a driver's license. thank you so much.

[abqsunport]

A great way to get back into the workforce is to start at a Temp Agency. Are you moving from another city, another state, another side of the country? Is your mother getting disability? Is she getting Social Security? These are all things that will help you get a decent footing.

[Meeko1999]

I'm new to the site so I don't know if I'm answering your questions right. We're moving from New Jersey and my mother currently receives social security. She gets social securiy due to COPD. I'm a little concerned about starting work right away (I've been out of the work force since 2001).

[abqsunport]

Well the cost of living in Albuquerque should be much less than New Jersey. Albuquerque could be a very good place for you. When you are ready for getting back into the workforce, I would recommend a temp agency. That is an easy to find a decent job. For a drivers license, google the New Mexico MVD. Best of Luck!

[yukon]

You might find a larger metro area like Dallas to be a better place to re-enter the workforce than ABQ, simply because more employers means more job opportunities, including temp jobs. The cost of living there (for renters) is reasonable. The downside is Texas isn't exactly known for it's assistance and job training programs (as in little to none, in the past). That may have changed. There are jobs in ABQ, but not knowing what your prior work experience is, it's hard to say how hard or easy it would be for you to find work here. As a renter with pets, I've found both cities to be pretty pet friendly.

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Meeko1999

This is my situation, I am living in New Jersey and am currently pregnant and have public assistance as my source of income. I've recently had some thing happen with my neighbors and they're getting me evicted and my Section 8 terminated and no family member or friends can help. I also need a completely new start, plus the cost of living is getting outragous. I also live with my mother who is disabled. I desperately need to find out how to start. My mother has a van and we have enough saved for gas. we're only going to have approx. 1,500 to move with. I also have a dog that weighs about 30lbs. that I've had since he was a puppy and he's 9. Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to sponge off the system, I also need to know about programs to help me get back into the work force and I also need to know about getting a driver's license. thank you so much.

Section 8 in ABQ has a 1 1/2 year waiting list. If you want to work then ABQ is the superior choice but if you both are on SSDI then look at the smaller communities as rent is alot cheaper in ...Socorro, Clovis and Alamogordo etc...

[Meeko1999]

My mom is on social security and I want to work. I am currently on general assistance and can't seem to find a job here except fast food with virtually no chance of advancement. The other thing is I'm pregnant and I'm not sure how that's going to affect things. I'm willing to work my way up and I'm not too choosey as to what kind of work. I just want a chance of advancement and benefits.

[Susie, Hudson, WI]

I have COPD and we have family in Albuquerque. The altitude is high. While I get by without my oxygen quite often where we live (under 1,000 feet from sea level) I do o.k. In Albuquerque, due to the high altitude, air has less oxygen and I need to use oxygen 24/7 while visiting there. You might want to look for a lower altitude city for your mother and you won't find that in New Mexico.

[joanie55]

Originally Posted by Susie, Hudson, WI

I have COPD and we have family in Albuquerque. The altitude is high. While I get by without my oxygen quite often where we live (under 1,000 feet from sea level) I do o.k. In Albuquerque, due to the high altitude, air has less oxygen and I need to use oxygen 24/7 while visiting there. You might want to look for a lower altitude city for your mother and you won't find that in New Mexico.

This is so true! IT is something u should seriously consider. Personally, I would find it scary in today's economy to move anywhere without first getting a job. And being pregnant is not going to help in that arena. Plus, Alb is pretty much a who you know kind of town in the job market arena. The pay is not good there, but the cost of living is relatively low. Government jobs pay the best, federal would be your best bet because the state jobs are gotten by who you know. YOu should go on USA Jobs and see if they are hiring. The downside is the hiring process is slow, but if you can get in you will most certainly be given the opportunity to move up. I personally know high school graduates that started near the bottom that are now making about $85,000 a year. Good benefits as well. Also, I don't know what your race is but if u are black I wouldn't recommend moving there simply because there are so few blacks there. I have an adopted niece who is black and she visited me there. We were at the mall and she said, "Where are all the black people?" I said, "What do mean, all 10 of them." That's an exaggeration but there is really not a black community there to speak of. I would rate health care there as good, which will be a consideration for u. Even if you are on medicaid u can get good care - the University there is one of the best medical schools in the country. On last thing, isn't there somewhere you could go where you KNOW someone? I got the feeling you don't know anyone there and with a sick mother and a child on the way, I would rather move someplace where I KNEW someone. Just my opinion. Good luck to you!