First time moving, need advice (relocation, job, expensive, schools)

[Ep-]

I've been living in the suburbs since I graduated college and the area is starting to wear on me. There's things to do around here, just not too much - nothing like compared to the city. Most of the people around here tend to be a bit older/with families. I'm 24.

I'm about an hour from Philly. I love going into the city and seeing all it has to offer, but it's kind of a pain in the ass driving there and back. I took a bus to NYC the other week and hung out for a day and had an amazing time. It just seems like there's so much to do in those areas compared to where I'm at now, plus there are tons of people around my age.

The crappy part - my lease isn't up until early next year. I'm debating spending the rest of this year grabbing a extra part time job to make tons of cash and work on my network certifications on the side. I've been doing a lot of reading up on living in both Philly and NYC, as well as some other cities.

Has anyone ever done anything like this and have any advice? Aside from school I've lived in this area all my life, so I'd be leaving behind most of the things I know and moving to a completely different environment. If I go to Philly the people I know will still be only an hour away, but if I choose a different city friends/family will be too far away to see often.

[maggiekate]

If you now have a job, stay put, until you get another job. N.Y. is pricey, and you would be far from the city. Have you considered Boston, and you would be not in the city. However, Boston does
have great schools, and the T. You still are not that far away from all you do know. I am not so sure
Philly would be what you are looking for. When young, it is the best of times to try out different
jobs etc., but this bad economy! Maybe take a trip to Boston, and see if that is yes, or no! Hanging out as a visitor in N.Y. is way different than living there, and working and having money also! Your young, so making friends should not be too much of a problem, and Boston, a shuttel is a 1 hour flight.
Boston also is a young town due to colleges etc., and it also is near New Hampshire, etc. Rhode Island, and Cape Cod

[Ep-]

I don't really like my job, but it's in healthcare IT so it's secure and it pays well. My company is worldwide so by the time my lease is up it's possible I could find a job somewhere else in the country/world. If there are any openings. Even we've been hurting in that area. I wouldn't be stuck in a job I hate waiting for an opening to come along if the economy didn't suck. But I guess I should be grateful I have a job right now...

If I do choose Philly I can keep my current job, it would just require me to keep my car and commute about 40 minutes longer then I currently do.

I'll have to look into Boston too. Since I can't move until March of next year I have tons of research time

[exit18b]

With Philly you get everthing you are looking for! Big city, things to do and your current job! Trust me, family is nice to have near by!

[JustT&Me]

Originally Posted by Ep-

Has anyone ever done anything like this and have any advice? Aside from school I've lived in this area all my life, so I'd be leaving behind most of the things I know and moving to a completely different environment. If I go to Philly the people I know will still be only an hour away, but if I choose a different city friends/family will be too far away to see often.

Yes. My family moved when I was younger from the South to the Central Plains, then I moved in my early 20s to WI and again in my 30s to AK for a year. I have never regretted any move. I'm a bit of a free spirit and don't mind "security" (not having it) since I'm very resourceful and not a big spender, so that was never an issue. I'm now looking at leaving WI and moving to the SE US. Not sure where yet... but here's what works for me which might help you (if you haven't already made your decision):

Two pieces of paper - two columns each - Pros & Cons.

Brainstorm all you can consider regarding a) moving and b) staying put. You might find it's different than just considering a move away.

When you've finished brainstorming, you'll have a *concrete* list which you can use in your decision-making. Sometimes for me it's simply a decision of what list is longer, but sometimes it's a matter of what's most important on each side, and having those lists from *both* points of view right in my hands make the decision-making process easier.

Also, the ol' "if it doesn't work, then... ?" - sounds like with family & friends where you are, it'd be an easy return if things don't materialize as you'd hoped once you move. Also, when I moved to AK, I put most of everything I owned in storage (since it was super long-distance) and waited to see how things would turn-out before I incurred the cost of an entire relocation. A small storage unit was less expensive than a cross-country move at the time (I have a piano for one thing) ... so... that might help as well - to give you time to see how it feels in another place (if you give it a year, then you'll see how it is in all seasons plus give yourself a reasonable amount of time to adjust) before you completely relocate.

If you have nothing much to move, then go for it! Twenty-anything is a *great* time to explore your horizons! Good luck and the best of everything to you in making your decision and once you move, should you decide to go ahead and do so.

[uptown_urbanist]

I think you should stick with Philly for now, unless, of course, you can work out a transfer within your company. It's a really, really bad time to be looking for work, and even if you do find a new job you will be at a disadvantage being the most recent hire; in many cases if there are financial problems and they have to let someone go it will be the newest person (not necessarily, but you'd be at higher risk). It sounds like Philadelphia will be a big enough change, and if you move closer in, or better yet, in the city itself, you can still easily take a train or bus to NYC for the day during the weekends. The commute wouldn't be great, but for at least the short-term it would probably be worth it if you have a job, especially assuming it's a decent one with benefits.

If you're considering other cities, you might want to look into DC, too - the job market seems to be better there (thanks to the federal government) and it's still close enough to the Philly area that you could get back to see family and friends from time to time without having to waste a lot of time in transit.

[Ep-]

Thanks for the advice. I think I might just keep a list throughout the rest of the year for where I'm at now vs. Philly. Philly is a big city, and if I live there I'm sure I'll have tons to see, plus I'll be close to family and my job still. I can also get a round trip to NYC for $20 whenever I feel like going there. From what I've been reading the past two weeks NYC sounds like it might be priced a bit out of my range for living.

Kind of wish I wasn't stuck here so much longer. Plus I decked my place out so all this stuff I own is going to be a real pain to move if the day comes.

[babygirl5608]

I love moving...every place I move is somewhere that I have never been and where the culture is much different. Of course I feel a little insecure at first, but for me, experience is important. I would not regret any move I've ever done.

If you dont want to pay to end your lease...check with your landlord and see if you can get someone to sublease.

[uptown_urbanist]

If you're only an hour away from Philadelphia then at least you will probably only have to pay local moving rates, which will further cut down on moving costs.

[Ep-]

Originally Posted by babygirl5608

I love moving...every place I move is somewhere that I have never been and where the culture is much different. Of course I feel a little insecure at first, but for me, experience is important. I would not regret any move I've ever done.

If you dont want to pay to end your lease...check with your landlord and see if you can get someone to sublease.

i thought about the sublease. the only problem with that is that the apartment across from me has been open for 2 months now. there's also a few more in the complex not filled. if there are a few open apartments are there any chance i can get someone else to take over my lease?

i've hit the point where i'm super miserable where i'm at now and realllly want out, but my lease goes until March of next year. i can't imagine staying for that long anymore ughhh