Relocating to 757 from 907 (Norfolk, Richmond, Hampton: rent, movers, how much)

[collegekidcbl]

Recently I posted in the Richmond section stating that my fiance and I were planning on moving to Richmond from Alaska. Now we are looking at moving to Hampton Roads. We are interested in relocating from Fairbanks, Alaska because we don't see much opportunity here for starting a life together because of the high cost of living and other reasons. As beautiful as it is here, we just want to find a place that we can start a life together and really make it. I am originally from the Hampton Roads area and I know it pretty well and I was hoping that I could get some feedback on some places that might be available the first week of August, some jobs for Administrative Assistants for at least $12/hr, or Digital Photo Archival work. I would appreciate any help in researching moving companies and all this seeing as how I'm 19 years old and really inexperienced in this. Does anyone have suggestions on how to move, packing ourselves or having movers, or just any helpful information would be great! We have a pretty tight budget but thanks for any help!

Thanks!!

[hrguru]

Personally I would consider moving to Richmond before Hampton Roads if you are looking for opportunity. Sure HR has great things to offer - the beach for one, however, the cost of living here is outrageous and the salaries have not adjusted to the high home prices making it difficult for many families to raise a family here.

Back in the late 90's Richmond's cost-of-living was more than in HR, but the tides have turned! Even though our home prices have gone up drastically, our salaries have remained unchanged for the most part.

I do think you could find admin jobs for $12 (most pay 8 - 10) but you need to balance that with housing prices - even rent is very high to live in a decent neighborhood.

Do your research online as much as you can. The local job boards for this area are Careerconnection.com and 757JobsNow.com.

On moving - I have many friends who moved away from the area. The best thing they did was get a POD and pack their stuff and have it shipped to where they were moving. They found that to be the most affordable over hiring someone to help you or having to drive a u-haul across the country!

If you plan on buying a house, try working with a realtor prior to coming to the area. They can really help you with the transition.

Best of luck!

[Bong477]

As far as moving goes... pack yourself for sure. You'll save money and probably do a better job than someone that doesn't care about your stuff. You can either load yourself or pay someone local to load the truck depending on your tolerance for physical labor, how much help you have, and how much stuff you have. Definately drive the truck yourself if at all possible, you'll save a ton of money over professional movers. Paying professional movers to drive from Norfolk to Pittsburgh cost an arm and a leg even after shopping around a lot, I can't even imagine how much it would be from Alaska. I don't know about the PODs cost, its worth looking into. When you arrive, you can again unload yourself or pay someone to do it.