Relocating and Job Hunting

[gizmonicinstitute]

I have another quick question about the cost of living in Nashville: How much money should a single person be making in Nashville? Is $8/hr enough, or I do need a job that pays more like $10/hr or even more?

[alleycat]

With the current national economy situation it's a little different, but if you can't find a job in Nashville making at least $10 an hour, don't move here.

And can I be your cranky, annoying, stupid old dad for a moment and suggest that since you are very young, you might want to consider getting more education or training before anything else.

[gizmonicinstitute]

Originally Posted by alleycat

With the current nationally economy situation it's a little different, but if you can't find a job in Nashville making at least $10 an hour, don't move here.

And can I be your cranky, annoying, stupid old dad for a moment and suggest that since you are very young, you might want to consider getting more education or training before anything else.

I thought I needed at least $10/hr, but I wanted to make sure. As for the second part, it's kind of a catch 22. I did attend college, but didn't finish my degree, but I don't have the money to finish my degree right now because I can't find a good job, but I can't find a good job without a degree. And the jobs I'm trying to get all require experience, but I can't get experiece because everything requires me to already have it, so it's very frustrating.

[artriotnow]

So which area is better in terms of jobs? Chattanooga or Nashville?

[Big TR]

Originally Posted by gizmonicinstitute

I thought I needed at least $10/hr, but I wanted to make sure. As for the second part, it's kind of a catch 22. I did attend college, but didn't finish my degree, but I don't have the money to finish my degree right now because I can't find a good job, but I can't find a good job without a degree. And the jobs I'm trying to get all require experience, but I can't get experiece because everything requires me to already have it, so it's very frustrating.

Two words: Student Loans.

[Pimpy]

Originally Posted by Big TR

Two words: Student Loans.

I listen to Dave Ramsey and hate any kind of debt, but I have to agree with this. You really need more education and a marketable degree. You don't want to be asking for the rest of your life if $10/hour is enough to live on.

[rossc]

I'm also a Dave Ramsey fan and I agree that higher education is a necessity now-a-days, but I think the job market is in for a long and painful recovery. The only thing worse than being unemployed is being unemployed with student load debt...or any debt for that matter. In this job market a bachelors won't really get you that far. You'll still be competing for jobs with people with more education and more experience. I think some certifications in your chosen field would be money better spent right now.

I'm not saying a degree is not a good idea, just saying that the benefit of a degree to someone just entering the job market may not justify the costs at this point in time. Employers look at the big picture and there are lots of people with degrees and experience who can't even get a call back right now.

[gizmonicinstitute]

I know that getting my degree would probably be the best option, and I'm aware of student loans (I'm already in debt with student loans from the first time I attended college), but right now a job is top priority for me. Even if I chose to go back to school now, I still need a job either way. I'm just not making enough money where I am and there are no jobs here. So whether I choose school or no school, either way I need a job to live on, so I'm still in the job hunting boat, which is sinking fast.

[Big TR]

Originally Posted by rossc

I'm also a Dave Ramsey fan and I agree that higher education is a necessity now-a-days, but I think the job market is in for a long and painful recovery. The only thing worse than being unemployed is being unemployed with student load debt...or any debt for that matter. In this job market a bachelors won't really get you that far. You'll still be competing for jobs with people with more education and more experience. I think some certifications in your chosen field would be money better spent right now.

I'm not saying a degree is not a good idea, just saying that the benefit of a degree to someone just entering the job market may not justify the costs at this point in time. Employers look at the big picture and there are lots of people with degrees and experience who can't even get a call back right now.

Without a college degree you are basically ensuring that you'll work dead end jobs for the rest of your life at $10-$15/hour. Yeah, Bill Gates doesn't have a degree. I get it.

You can go to Columbia State (or just about any community college) for 2 years at a cost of probably $3k per year.

You can then transfer to Austin Peay or MTSU for $6k per year. So for $18k you can get a college education. Pay that off over 20 years and it's about $90 per month.