Moving from Boston to San Diego (apartment, insurance, job market)

[starzout32]

I have read many of the helpful threads here regarding moves to San Diego and the job market I am still wondering about. I lived in SD a few years ago and was fine, rented a room in an apartment and it was just me, no kids or pets, so not out of the question financially for me to pick up and move from Boston - where I had come from then. I lived there for a while, then moved back to the East Coast - but it was supposed to be just temporary. Well, after almost 6 years away I am thinking of moving back in early 2011 and just keep hearing online how there are no jobs - is it really that bad?

I am 32 so not college age, I would be staying with a friend - we'll be getting a place together he being a SD resident. I do office work - nothing biotech or medical, but surely there is hope for me out there again?

[las vegas drunk]

If you currently have a job I would suggest not moving UNLESS you get a job lined up BEFORE you move. This applies to anywhere since the job market is tough everywhere. The current UE rate is 10.6% in San Diego if that helps.

[starzout32]

Thank you for the reply, I have a job here in Boston yes. I think our unemployment is about 8.6%.
I definitely see the need to have something set up beforehand, it's a hard pill to swallow to think that maybe it won't be possible to get back to beautiful CA though.

[moved]

I've done office work all my life, but after losing my job with a school district two years ago, I haven't been able to get another one. Even though I'm waiting for a federal job to come through, I'll take any other office job until that happens, but it hasn't.

[starzout32]

Wow, I am sorry to hear the state is in such trouble, seems like no one an any forum has a different take on it. Thank you for your reply..

[BacktoBlue]

Get a job lined up before coming here, look online, Craigslist, Monster etc, make some calls and you should be ok.

Good Luck

[pacific2]

Try indeed.com and usajobs.com, as well as checking other sites. Play around with different job descriptions and you might be pleasantly surprised. For example, and you are probably already aware of this, but reminders can help, some “office” jobs may be listed under coordinator, administrative technician, adminsitrative clerk, administrative specialist, quality assurance specialist, or under any number of titles. You get the picture.

Also, don’t forget to branch out and try for employment in different areas such as healthcare office support, insurance, etc. Do some research and try to find out who the big government contractors are in the health care industry. Then, check their websites for possible job openings.

Make sure you have something lined-up before leaving your present job.

Good luck!

[starzout32]

Thank you for the specific sites to check, I will do so!

[starzout32]

Originally Posted by Footballfreak

Get a job lined up before coming here, look online, Craigslist, Monster etc, make some calls and you should be ok.

Good Luck

Thank you for the reply, will do!

[ExtraCelestial]

How do you suggest getting a job lined up when you're coming from the east coast and can't keep coming out for interviews? I know some of the big wig executive positions will fly you out, but I'm sure they're not putting aside that kind of budget for every Joe Schmo (and Joe can't keep taking off for 2 days at a time even if they do). Are people having any success getting hired with just phone interviews?