Anyone thinking about moving here . . . (Charlotte, Speed: renting, mortgage, houses)

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by Ndirishlover

I just moved here a month ago and haven't gotten a job in my field and am very worried. But I moved from Michigan where I LOST my job. Maybe this state wasn't the best move but it was the right move for me. I realize it's a struggle, but I also realize it's a struggle no matter where I go. I love NC and am glad to be here - even without a job. BUT WOULD LOVE ONE.

Wish you the best of luck in your new American Dream taking place here in North Carolina. Stay optimistic that you made the right decision

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Ndirishlover

I just moved here a month ago and haven't gotten a job in my field and am very worried. But I moved from Michigan where I LOST my job. Maybe this state wasn't the best move but it was the right move for me. I realize it's a struggle, but I also realize it's a struggle no matter where I go. I love NC and am glad to be here - even without a job. BUT WOULD LOVE ONE.

Well, I sure hope you get one ASAP! NC is definitely a better place to be than Michigan these days. What field are you in?

[NCgirl]

My 2¢

No one here trying to be cold by saying "do not move without a job." We are sincerely trying to help newcomers from experiencing the pain that others have felt. We do not think anyone is "a dummy" for wanting to come here. That's why ani made this thread. If we say anything other than "Pack your bags today! Come on down/up/over!" we are viewed as being mean. If you are a newcomer with a job, or solid connections to get one, these post are not for you. Don't feel defensive. If it doesn't apply, let it fly!

As Loves said, many posters have been on this board for a long time. We see post after post from someone who can't find a job, or found a job outside of his/her field with much lower pay. These people often end up hurt and disappointed. This isn't to say that people can't find work. However, there is a lot of competition out there. On average about 80,000 people move to the Charlotte area each year. Let's say 30,000 of those are adults seeking employment. There are not 30,000 new jobs in the area.

We just want others to have a realistic picture of the employment situation. If you do a search you will find many threads about this. Here is one from last year.

So hard to find a job

[moremoremore]

In this economy guys, I think it's silly to move anywhere without a job...

[MommyV]

Originally Posted by anifani821

For one thing, most potential newcomers who think they will come here w/ some savings and just rent for a while til they find a job - they do not realize that very few rentals are available w/o showing PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT. Things are tough out there. So it is not so easy to just load up the car and the UHaul and head to Charlotte - and hand cash to a rental agent - and secure a place to live.


And for all who think they can "get temp work" - either thru/ an agency or by working "flipping burgers" or as a "welcome clerk at Wal-Mart" . . . WRONG!!!! Even college kids are having problems find these lower wage jobs!!!! Try applying to Lowes or Home Depot! They have stacks of applicants for jobs that pay $10-15/ hr. I know - cause I have ASKED the Managers what their situations are w/ new hires!

Just an FYI... I rented an apartment 2 months ago with no proof of employment. They just checked my credit. It was a large corp run rental complex. So, this point is not true.

As far as finding a low paying job, I know someone who has been going door to door non-stop for 3 months looking for something / anything... with no luck yet. I've never seen anything like this before. It's almost impossible to find work in Charlotte today.

Employers in Charlotte use job boards and hire from out of state frequently for people who meet their needs. I just wouldn't count on huge relo packages like they used to hand out a few years ago.

The entire country is in crisis and Charlotte is not an exception to that. From what I've been reading, I think Texas is braving this economy the best nowadays.

All this bickering is really disheartening. I've gotten very familiar with all of you through the many wonderful words you've shared with us on this board. Unfortunately, new posters don't see that when they listen to harsh words directed at them. They only see those words and not the good intentions behind them that would have been evident had they read the years of help you had given to prior posters. I'm so sorry that this is happening and wish it would stop now.

[md to nc]

I am just posting my own experience hoping what my family has gone through the past year will give some indication of the situation here. But not just in Charlotte but everywhere. But I have to agree, there are numerous posts where some, and not necessarily those posting here right now, have said they have lots of experience, college degree yada yada yada. That is fine but so does all the other 30,000 that have moved here. You are not the only transplants and I would say if this was the situation 2 years ago, I would have waited until the economy was a little more stable. Patience pays off.

[anifani821]

I don't consider what has transpired w/ this thread to be bickering. It appears to me that we all have had different experiences . . . For ex., MomV was able to rent an apartment w/ no proof of employment, but I know of three families who were NOT able to rent one - they ended up staying w/ friends or in temporary hotel arrangements and had to rent thru/ private renters in places they really were not thrilled about. So we all have had different experiences. I would suspect if you can show you were already living here - and simply relocating - you will have more luck w/ renting here w/o employment.

If this thread helps one person think twice about coming here w/o a job, I will feel good about the thread. I stand by everything I have advised, and my intention remains the same as it has ALWAYS been on this forum - to give the best advice I can, based on my own experience and the knowledge I have about what others are going through.

There are times in life when we all roll the dice . . . as our poster from Michigan did. I don't blame him a bit for taking that chance!!! Here's sending my very wishes, NDirishlover, that you will quickly find a good position . . . as well as find happiness here in the great state of North Carolina. WHen one is in a no-win situation (and MI is having terribly tough economic times) . . . it may be the wisest thing to do to strike out and start over in a new region.

But for most people . . . coming here w/ no job could be quite perilous, not only to one's finances, but to one's peace of mind and happiness.

Like most things in ife . . . "look b/f you leap" . . . weigh out the pros and cons . . . and make an informed decision.

[ChicagotoTampagirl]

Not sure why I was dragged into this...by quoting my post. I had legit questions and concerns! See below.
hello - this is pretty darn rude. stand by your "asertations" all you want, but this is too much.

Since I am not the only one who has voiced this sentiment,( that some have a RUDE, mean spirited tone while doling out "well intentioned advice") maybe *some* of the more assertive ones here should take a bit of advice and lighten up-your area is not the only place suffering from massive layoffs and cutbacks and foreclosures......sheesh!

As a business owner, I've been dealing w/ that crud for 2 years straight now-sorry you are just getting hit, but give people credit to know how to deal with a move would ya? Not all of us are the slobbery, foaming at the mouth, move across the country w/ no job/money and bring down the property values in YOUR precious neighborhood morons you seem to think we are.

Yes, we read the paper!! Yes, we have a brain even.... Correct me if I'm wrong-but isn't this why this site exists....so we can ASK questions to someone who may know more than we can glean from the paper???

Tell me why can't a person inquire w/o being made to look like a complete, mindless a$$????? I am really disappointed by some of the negativity and smarmy attitudes flying freely on this thread.

Originally Posted by joanchris2000

Was just reading a post from today, and there it is again, that we are "cold" for not welcoming folks with open arms, see post #9:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/charl...rrounding.html

[ChicagotoTampagirl]

Originally Posted by MommyV

Just an FYI... I rented an apartment 2 months ago with no proof of employment. They just checked my credit. It was a large corp run rental complex. So, this point is not true.

As far as finding a low paying job, I know someone who has been going door to door non-stop for 3 months looking for something / anything... with no luck yet. I've never seen anything like this before. It's almost impossible to find work in Charlotte today.

Employers in Charlotte use job boards and hire from out of state frequently for people who meet their needs. I just wouldn't count on huge relo packages like they used to hand out a few years ago.

The entire country is in crisis and Charlotte is not an exception to that. From what I've been reading, I think Texas is braving this economy the best nowadays.

All this bickering is really disheartening. I've gotten very familiar with all of you through the many wonderful words you've shared with us on this board. Unfortunately, new posters don't see that when they listen to harsh words directed at them. They only see those words and not the good intentions behind them that would have been evident had they read the years of help you had given to prior posters. I'm so sorry that this is happening and wish it would stop now.

My sentiments exactly...

[robertpolyglot]

Well is RDU better? Or just as bad? How can construction be taking such a hit if people keep moving to all of the NC cities and you have to, as a minimum, build apartments and shopping centers and medical offices....? Over a year ago, I got flown to Houston for a job interview that was ultimately given to a local. So I stayed out West. Wasn't meant to be.

I agree. The few times that I've moved across state lines as an adult, I have set up the job prior to a relocation. That's sensible advice to ANYONE, ANY PLACE and in ANY ECONOMY, so people should take heed.

RDU is closer to the ocean, right? And CLT is closer to the Smokies?