New College Grad...Need Moving Advice!! :) (Columbia, Charleston: sales, rent, how much)

[ineedtoleavemichigan]

I am from Michigan and just graduated from college 2 weeks ago. I am hoping to move to Charleston in 6 months. I only know one person down there, but I am a friendly guy and I like to meet new people.

My question is this: I have a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from CMU and I would be looking for a job in the Marketing field. I have searched Monster.com up and down, and it doesn't seem like Marketing is a booming industry in the area. Would it be near-impossible to land a position (even entry-level) without knowing somebody in the business? I am even thinking of moving before I have a job there, as long as I save up a few thousand dollars. Also, would I be scrounging to get by with the high cost of rent in Charleston (compared to Michigan)?

Any honest advice would be HIGHLY appreciated. Thank you so much!!

[Treefriend]

Move to Seattle.

[jscottc]

I can't advise you an weather or not you should move without a job. Not sure that the rents in Charleston are less than in Michigan. Where are you looking. If it is downtown Charleston, especially near the C of C, then yes, rents are high there. If you get out to N. Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, then rents are less expensive. Where in Michigan do you currently live. I grew up in the Detroit area.

[ineedtoleavemichigan]

I live in Brighton. It is 45 minutes NW of Detroit. Finding a job here is impossible. I don't plan on living in Downtown Charleston, but somewhere within 20 minutes.

[jscottc]

I know exactly where Brighton is. I grew up in Orchard Lake. I still have relatives up there, so I know exactly what you are dealing with. Depending upon how much you are looing to spend, you may be able to find something reasonable 20 to 30 minutes from downtown.

[steelersgirl]

My current company is based out of Howell, MI and I just graduated from Pitt in April with a BA in communications. I'm also looking to move to the Southeast and need advice!

I am currently in my first job out of school as a medical sales rep for a medium sized company. My company sort of frowns on relocating so I am looking for a new company to go to that will get me out of my home city for awhile because I want to explore other (warmer) parts of the country. I want to stay on the East Coast and would prefer to be within a 2 hour drive of the beach. I like city living and want to go somewhere with a great job market, growth and nightlife/activities for young people. So far I have narrowed my search to Raleigh, Columbia & Charleston SC and Tampa. Where would you all recommend moving to? What can you tell me about these cities? I've never visited any of them but am looking into doing so because I've heard such great things.

It's nice to meet someone on here whos in the same shoes as me right now

[vamtncat]

ineentoleavemichigan

You might want to check with Google. The are building a large facility in Goose Creek I think.

[jscottc]

The medical field is huge in Chalreston. MUSC (Medical University of SC) is in Charleston. Great town. Raleigh is also very nice, but not as close to the beach. Plenty to do in both.

[dkasim]

I have been working in healthcare marketing and spending a lot of time between the Wash DC area and the Charleston SC area. In Charleston, there are two industries that are poised to grow well: healthcare-related and consumer services (mainly food, hospitality and retail). For entry-level marketing, you are going to have to be versatile and learn as much about the industry as possible - particularly for health-related. For retail, a true "marketing" job might be handled somewhere else in a corporate office.

The area is poised for growth, particularly in Daniel Island and Mt. Pleasant, although both are the higher rent districts, besides anything in downtown. Hope this helps.

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by ineedtoleavemichigan

I live in Brighton. It is 45 minutes NW of Detroit. Finding a job here is impossible. I don't plan on living in Downtown Charleston, but somewhere within 20 minutes.

I lived in NW OH for many years and used to ski up at Brighton on weekends. Boy were those fun times!