Relocating - Job Hunting (Columbia, Charleston: real estate, apartment complex, rent)

[hanna_house]

Hi. My husband and I are thinking about relocating to either North or South Carolina from Michigan. My question is directed to anyone who has relocated because they were in need of a change, not because of a job transfer. The thing is, we don't know anyone in the area to stay with, even temporarily, and would like some good tips about how to go about relocating and job hunting. My husband has 8 years of office/administrative/customer service experience (in case the type of work makes a difference). What did you learn from your own experience and what would you recommend or warn against? Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[onmyway2sc]

I am moving to South Carolina also. If you log on to job bank.com for south carolina you are able to view job opening in any county within the state. you have addresses and phone numbers to apply to or some you can apply online. Also there is a website for job seekers www.sciway.net. This also list jobs by location within SC.
If you then go to apartments.com you can take virtual tours of apartments and this website will give you rent amounts, requirements. floorplans, sizes of apartments in feet and inches. ammenities with apartment complex. pet rules, everything you need to secure an apartment.
I hope these websites help you. You should be able to secure employment and a place to live before you ever hit the state.
Myself and my husband are also moving to the Greenville/Spartanberg area by the 1st of the year. We also know no one there. This is how we are going to do it. Good luck to you in your move.
PS. We are moving from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

[Racelady88]

We moved to SC last winter because of a desperate need for a change. I had already decided on the location, and I did much house hunting online.

The one thing that helped us the most was our Realtor. They were able to offer so many suggestions for things because they know the area so well. I have dropped by a few times even after our closing to ask for suggstions and they have continued to be more than helpful

Another tip: once you decide on an area you can almost always read the local paper online. Check out the classifieds every day.

[New_Yorker]

You're moving because you need some change in your life? And you have no job set up before you move? Sounds risky.

How about just going on vacation?

Originally Posted by hanna_house

Hi. My husband and I are thinking about relocating to either North or South Carolina from Michigan. My question is directed to anyone who has relocated because they were in need of a change, not because of a job transfer. The thing is, we don't know anyone in the area to stay with, even temporarily, and would like some good tips about how to go about relocating and job hunting. My husband has 8 years of office/administrative/customer service experience (in case the type of work makes a difference). What did you learn from your own experience and what would you recommend or warn against? Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[scjj]

I would recommend to anyone thinking about moving here to come and really take a good hard look around to be sure you can deal with the culture shock you could experience. More than just a quick weekend too, any place can look good in a short amount of time, living there is a different story. SC is a very slow paced state and lifestyle, it is also one of the poorest states in the nation. It is a very big adjustment if you are used to a more modern lifestyle. SC is also known for it's underpaid salaries. I would highly recommend against moving here without a job first because of that reason.

[GJM]

Just curious why is it considered one of the poorest states. When we where there looking at houses they were building new schools and roads.

Thanks

[Racelady88]

Second highest unemployment rate in the nation.

[flgargoyle]

Anybody who's moving anywhere really needs to do their homework. I have been researching the area for about a year, and we are planning to buy acreage west of G'ville this fall. I look on careerbuilder for jobs; there seems to be a lot for my line of work (machinist). Our needs are different- no school-age children, we'll have no mortgage, we want seclusion and true rural living. I don't care if there's not a Taco Bell for 200 miles! You can search a number of online job hunting sites, real estate sites, demographic info; you can even look at your future neighborhood on google earth! I even study topographic maps to make sure I'm not buying in the path of a flood. That being said, you need to spend some time in an area to get a feel for it. We have gone so far as to travel the roads at rush hour, just to see what it's like. We moved to FL 26 years ago with no money or jobs. We didn't even have furniture! We always said "We can always move back where we came from!" They won't close Michigan after you leave; you can always go back to what you are familiar with if SC isn't your cup of tea. And no matter how much research you do, there's no guarantee that your next door neighbor won't be the biggest jerk on the planet. I've found that the more upscale a neighborhood I live in, the LESS likely I am to make friends. So- do your homework, make several visits at different times of the year, and then go for it! You should also consider different places. We were set on north Georgia (Rome or Athens) until we saw G'ville; there was no comparison. You might find your Utopia somewhere else. OK, I'm down off my soap box for now.... good luck!

[New_Yorker]

No Taco Bell for 200 miles? BARBARIANS!

Originally Posted by flgargoyle

Anybody who's moving anywhere really needs to do their homework. I have been researching the area for about a year, and we are planning to buy acreage west of G'ville this fall. I look on careerbuilder for jobs; there seems to be a lot for my line of work (machinist). Our needs are different- no school-age children, we'll have no mortgage, we want seclusion and true rural living. I don't care if there's not a Taco Bell for 200 miles! You can search a number of online job hunting sites, real estate sites, demographic info; you can even look at your future neighborhood on google earth! I even study topographic maps to make sure I'm not buying in the path of a flood. That being said, you need to spend some time in an area to get a feel for it. We have gone so far as to travel the roads at rush hour, just to see what it's like. We moved to FL 26 years ago with no money or jobs. We didn't even have furniture! We always said "We can always move back where we came from!" They won't close Michigan after you leave; you can always go back to what you are familiar with if SC isn't your cup of tea. And no matter how much research you do, there's no guarantee that your next door neighbor won't be the biggest jerk on the planet. I've found that the more upscale a neighborhood I live in, the LESS likely I am to make friends. So- do your homework, make several visits at different times of the year, and then go for it! You should also consider different places. We were set on north Georgia (Rome or Athens) until we saw G'ville; there was no comparison. You might find your Utopia somewhere else. OK, I'm down off my soap box for now.... good luck!

[salatheel]

It really depends on where you are. The Charlotte area has tons of everything! Rock Hill was far bigger with more than I expected. Columbia and Charleston as well. We live in Connecticut right off route 1 which is busy as can be. It can take us 30-45 minutes to cross town. We found there was more shopping,restaurants,and things to do down in Columbia and Charlotte by far than Connecticut.