Possibly moving back to Minnesota (Minneapolis, Rochester: apartments, rental, how much)

[didi768]

From Minneapolis, but have been living in Tampa FL for 10 yrs. Husband having terrible time staying employed. Question: Will landlords/owners let us rent from them without having jobs yet? Well, actually hubby does teach online classes but the pay fluctuates greatly every six weeks. We can pay 6 months in advance.
Hard finding someone to hire you too without coming there for an interview first. Wish more could use references and Skype but that is how it is. Hard to really trust anyone I realize, especially in these crazy days.
We could just move there then look for jobs but it's risky we realize, but just not sure how much more of FL we can take, for many other reasons to I won't even bother to mention ha!
FYI: hubby is in higher education and I'm an LPN if anyone has a heads up on job leads.
Thanks!

[golfgal]

Both of those fields are pretty employable around here. Here is a good link for looking for jobs in higher ed HigherEdJobs - Jobs in Higher Education . You can search by state and see what is there. For LPN jobs, Fairview, Health Partners, and Allina are the major medical systems in the metro area so you can search on their websites for opportunities.

I would also suggest looking in some of the outlying towns like Northfield, Rochester, Mankato, Winona, Marshall. They all have 4 year institutions and hospitals. The Mayo System and Avera cover the general Rochester area and Marshall respectively.

As for renting, it is really going to depend but paying 6 months in advance will help quite a bit. You will probably have more luck doing that in the outlying areas as more landlords are willing to go with month to month leases.

[uptown_urbanist]

If I were you, I'd consider renting a short-term furnished place, stick your stuff in storage (or ship it using relocubes or similar; you pack it up, they stick it in storage, and will deliver it at your final place whenever you give the word, which makes it really, really easy), and then find a permanent rental once at least one of you has a job. That will mean you'll have an easier time finding a place, but -- more importantly -- it will mean that you have far more options for jobs (or alternatively, less risk of being forced into a really long commute). And as an added bonus, it gives you some time to check out different locations and see what feels like "home."

I don't think you'll have trouble finding a place without a job given your ability to pay so much up-front. I've even seen places around here offering 6-month leases, and during the winter months I think landlords are far more likely to give you those options. Be warned that some apartments have clauses saying no moves in the coldest/snowiest winter months (usually January through March, I think), so there may be less inventory on the market during those times. On the other hand, there's also fewer people looking.

[Anneee]

You may have trouble qualifying for a rental because Minnesota has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country, allowing landlords to be very picky about who they rent to. But I think uptown_urbanist makes a good point that it should be easier if you arrive in winter. In any case, I'd recommend starting your hunt for a place to rent as soon as possible.
Good luck, and welcome!

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by didi768

just not sure how much more of FL we can take, for many other reasons to I won't even bother to mention ha!

I'm there too!

[didi768]

Thank you so much, all of you, for your wonderful advice. My husband however feels we should try and stick it out here due to the economy/election and see what happens for now. He is flying to California to pitch his movie scripts at a huge convention next week. Pray he hits the jackpot, we really could use this right now :-)
Still might see you all in Minnesota someday....The land of 10,000 + frozen lakes hehe.

[nene87]

I say move back to Minnesota. I was there only 2 months and already had job leads.