Relocating to PA and serious issues with job opportunities (Pittsburgh: extended stay, for sale)

[Poetpaint]

Hi All,

My husband and I are both professionals living in NY and seriously thinking about relocating to PA. I am a LMSW social worker who just received licensure in PA and he is a sales manager for a bank. We both are looking at opportunities across PA and are astounded at the lack of opportunities.

We ideally would like Lancaster area, but regardless of where we look jobs seem scarce. We looked in Scranton at housing as well as Leesport, Lancaster, etc. Hardest part is the career.

My questions are pretty basic and I am hoping someone who has relocated to another state at any time in their lives could aid us with some advice on how to coordinate getting a job and moving. My questions are:

1. Which should be done first? Secure position or move? For money purposes we obviously are choosing to secure position first.

2. Are there any particular websites we should be utilizing aside from popular job sites? (i.e., Monster)

3. HOw much time do people commute to work on the average in PA? I saw averages, but was curious to hear people's personal accounts.

Any other advice would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

M

[W-B proud]

Philly and it's suburbs are probably your best bet.

[PeterRabbit]

1) Always secure the job first. If you move here and start looking for employment you might not find what you want and become pressured to take a job you won't be happy with just so you can pay your bills.

2) craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums has jobs listed. I don't know where govt. jobs are listed. Often they are just posted in the building that is hiring the particular position. You have to check everyday because friends tell their friends and those jobs don't last very long.

3) My uncle drove 35 miles to and from Pittsburgh everyday for over 20 years. It took him 45 minutes to an hour from door to door. Some of our commuters sit in traffic that long just to go ten or twelve miles. I worked at a VA hospital and many employees lived one or two counties away taking as long as 2-1/2 hours driving each way. It took me 15-20 minutes on back roads and shortcuts to avoid the traffic and keep moving. I don't have enough patience to sit in traffic.

[TracySam]

Which level of license in PA did you qualify for? If it is an LCSW, you will have many opportunites, at least in or near one of the major cities and the surrounding suburbs. But LSW's seem to always have job opportunities too.

If there is any difficulty finding a full time position when you first move to PA, and you are in behavioral health, outpatient mental health clinics hire LCSW's on a fee-for service basis (you get paid according to how many people you see). Even LSW's can get credentialled for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) menaged care plans, so you can still get therapist positions in some places with only the LSW.

I visit the Lancaster area for fun, but never noticed much out there in the way of human service agencies. I do know that there are a lot in the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area. Of course Philly and Pittsburgh probably have the most job opportunities.

PA'a NASW chapter has a job bank:
NASW-PA

If you are a clinical social worker, you might join the Society for Clinical Social Work, or at least visit their site:
Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work

My former employer of 12 years has many locations all over PA. I'm not "advertising" but here is their site.
Northwestern Human Services

Good luck!

[AJSKI]

I would look for the job first. If you are looking for work Philly would be your best bet. The great thing is that you have the Regional Rail that takes you to many of Philly's suburbs. I'd chose a home that's close to one of the RR Stations that way you wont have to spend a lot on gas. Philly has so many great towns in its suburbs that there are too many to list. Good luck!

[CosmicWizard]

I think you'll have an easier time finding a job if you are living nearby. You might consider staying at a place like Extended Stay America or something similar. I would caution against renting anything that required a lease. You may or may not find a job. You may or may not like the area. Keep your options open, don't tie yourself down. Hold off on making long term housing decisions until AFTER you've found suitable jobs. Find the best place ( renting or buying ) within your budget CLOSE TO WORK. Keep in mind that gas prices are likely to go higher rather than lower.

Keep this in mind too. If you find a job without living in the area, you have no way of knowing if you'll even like living there. You could get stuck with a lease or having to sell a home in a place that you hate, before you can move on. Take it slow and steady. Test the waters before diving in head first.