Wanting to move away from Tennessee (Minneapolis: sales, apartments, lease)

[radian23]

My girlfriend and I have made the decision to move to the Minneapolis area after when our lease expires in May (Long ways away... I know). We graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2008. I received my Bachelor of Business Administration (Major: Healthcare Management) and she obtained her teaching license for K-6 and 7-8 English. We decided to move Tennessee in hopes of finding good jobs. She was overly confident in her ability to obtain an elementary teaching position and in the end received a pre-k teaching position for a private school. I was able to receive a department assistant for a health insurance company but do not see a future with my current employer and feel underutilized and underpaid.

We have made the decision to relocate to Minneapolis because the job market is better for my degree, wages are much better, people are nicer, and we would be closer to family.

For my questions I was wondering what the job market outlook is for teachers in the Minneapolis area? Any recommendations on how to obtain a teaching position in the cities?

I have looked at applying for positions with Medica, Medtronic, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and United Healthcare. Are there any other healthcare focused companies you guys would also recommend me to look into.

How is the cost of living? Currently I rent a nice 3 bedroom apartment for $720 a month. What does something comperable cost in Minneapolis? I'm not exactly sure what area of Minneapolis I'm interested in relocating to but I definately don't want to live in the heart of the city. I'm interested in living in a 2 -3 bedroom apartment in one of the suburbs.

Thank you all in advance and I hope you all have a great new years!!

[Cruz Azul Guy]

prices will vary alot depending on the area, condition of apartment and amenities. On average you're probably going to be looking at twice the amount you're currently paying for a 3br.

[radian23]

Originally Posted by Slig

prices will vary alot depending on the area, condition of apartment and amenities. On average you're probably going to be looking at twice the amount you're currently paying for a 3br.

Thats what I kinda figured. Would $1000 be realistic for a 2 bedroom?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

There are definitely apartments available in that range:

classifieds - craigslist

You may also want to look into buying a small house, given the current buyer's market you can pick up a nice small house and pay about that much for your mortgage payment. I live in a 3 br, 1 bath house in south Minneapolis and my mortgage payment is less than $900.

[radian23]

Originally Posted by Slig

There are definitely apartments available in that range:

classifieds - craigslist

You may also want to look into buying a small house, given the current buyer's market you can pick up a nice small house and pay about that much for your mortgage payment. I live in a 3 br, 1 bath house in south Minneapolis and my mortgage payment is less than $900.

I have thought about doing that as well but want to make sure both my girlfriend and I feel we are where we want to live. If I purchased a house in Tennessee I would have been stuck with a house and no buyers. Buying a house is definitely something I will consider after a 6 month lease though. Thanks for the advice.

[Camden Northsider]

Teaching positions are very competitive and hard to come by anywhere in the metro for persons without a lot of experience - I know people with multiple licensures and advanced degrees that had to work for a long period of time as a para or a sub or very PT to get their foot in the door and work their way into a FT position at a public school. Your girlfriend would likely have a better shot targeting private and charter schools, but even these positions are highly competitive and the schools themselves can be hit or miss at times.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by radian23

My girlfriend and I have made the decision to move to the Minneapolis area after when our lease expires in May (Long ways away... I know). We graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2008. I received my Bachelor of Business Administration (Major: Healthcare Management) and she obtained her teaching license for K-6 and 7-8 English. We decided to move Tennessee in hopes of finding good jobs. She was overly confident in her ability to obtain an elementary teaching position and in the end received a pre-k teaching position for a private school. I was able to receive a department assistant for a health insurance company but do not see a future with my current employer and feel underutilized and underpaid.

We have made the decision to relocate to Minneapolis because the job market is better for my degree, wages are much better, people are nicer, and we would be closer to family.

For my questions I was wondering what the job market outlook is for teachers in the Minneapolis area? Any recommendations on how to obtain a teaching position in the cities?

I have looked at applying for positions with Medica, Medtronic, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and United Healthcare. Are there any other healthcare focused companies you guys would also recommend me to look into.

How is the cost of living? Currently I rent a nice 3 bedroom apartment for $720 a month. What does something comperable cost in Minneapolis? I'm not exactly sure what area of Minneapolis I'm interested in relocating to but I definately don't want to live in the heart of the city. I'm interested in living in a 2 -3 bedroom apartment in one of the suburbs.

Thank you all in advance and I hope you all have a great new years!!

Check out Health East, HealthPartners, Fairview, Children's Healthcare MN and HCMC--all big players in Twin Cities hospital industry.

RE: apartments, plenty of 2-3 bedroom apts in the burbs. I doubt you'll find a 3-br for $720/mo. here, tho.

[radian23]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Check out Health East, HealthPartners, Fairview, Children's Healthcare MN and HCMC--all big players in Twin Cities hospital industry.

RE: apartments, plenty of 2-3 bedroom apts in the burbs. I doubt you'll find a 3-br for $720/mo. here, tho.

I've been looking a bit at fairview but I will definitely look into the others. I sure will miss the cheap rent but the difference in wages will more than make up for the cost of living.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by radian23

I've been looking a bit at fairview but I will definitely look into the others. I sure will miss the cheap rent but the difference in wages will more than make up for the cost of living.

Yup! And please don't complain about taxes when you get here. They will be higher. Ya get what ya pay for!

[radian23]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Yup! And please don't complain about taxes when you get here. They will be higher. Ya get what ya pay for!

Well in Tennessee sales tax is 9.75% and that includes food and clothes. People down here say they want to keep their money if they don't spend it (no income tax). I personally think its because they have nothing to spend