Small towns? (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett: rent, credit card, hotel)

[mitsuturbo]

I'm curious why people post here, wanting information on moving to some of the small towns in Washington. Why would anyone want to live in Port Angeles, Poulsbo, Aberdeen, or Forks? Is there some hidden cache of employment opportunities in these places? Is it easy to get a job and make a living there in many industries? Or are people just retired and have mason jars full of cash?

I just don't get why someone would want to move somewhere without having a somewhat solid financial plan. I don't see many decent paying jobs out in these rural areas, and quite frankly.. when driving through, i wonder how people make it out there at all!

I, myself wouldn't mind living in one of these podunk little towns, so long as i could enjoy the wage i have now. I just dont see it as remotely possible.

[allforcats]

Well, everyone's different, aren't they? You are the only person in the entire history of the universe who thinks, feels and believes exactly and precisely as you do about everything! You are unique! And so is every single other person who has ever existed. And every person has their own histories, likes, dislikes, possibilities, dreams, plans, goals, needs, and so on. And for many many people, life is not about "jobs" and "income"; they value other things first.

And that's why you want what you want, because you're you, and others want what they want, because they're them. Fun, isn't life? We give ourselves the best life when we let folks be who they want to be, which is what we want others to grant to us, right?

[LMB]

Cats is right, everyone has a different set of needs & wants. There is no "right way" for all. My husband & I live in one of those small towns that you mentioned and we both LOVE living here. It has everything we hoped for in a hometown, but I'm sure it wouldn't be perfect for everyone. No, we don't have mason jars full of cash. We're graphic designers and work from home--all we need is high speed internet service, and that we have. When we want city stuff, Seattle is just a ferry ride away.

Just something to keep in mind while driving through these small towns and wondering about who lives there and how they make it. Thank goodness not everyone needs or wants to live in a city. Traffic could be even worse!

Lynn

PS--by the way, working from home is our thing, but there are quite a few employers here besides the usual service businesses such as small retail shops, big box Home Depot and Wal-Mart, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. We also have medical & dental offices, community college, art college, banks, engineering firms, public & private schools, city offices, and even a few corporate home offices are located here. Plus the military bases nearby, the town of Silverdale is just a few miles away, and there are many businesses there.

[Aylalou]

Sounds lovely! And to get to Seattle just by ferry. Even lovelier.

[mitsuturbo]

Interesting. So.. there are a lot of work from home jobs, i take it? Graphic design is one of those things i just cant seem to grasp. Hell, i cant even draw a stick figure properly.

From the sounds of it.. its mostly government, retail, service, or work from home?

I would think with the very limited population, it would be increasingly difficult to sustain a job market. Is this wrong?

Like i said before.. a small town has appeal, i just dont understand how people "make it" out there, moving in blindly. It's not like there are recruiters offering jobs in small town like they are in the metro area, right?

[mitsuturbo]

GAH!! i tried to consolidate this to one post so i didnt double up, and now i cant edit the prior one. So..

For instance, i just read another thread called NW Washington, where someone wants to go somewhere remote for 6 months. Now, i know its none of my business, but i'm wondering if i am missing something. How can anyone afford to just go to the middle of nowhere for 6 months?! I mean, if it's a survivalist thing and they're going to go out with a tent and hunting knife, i can understand that, i suppose.. but how does one pay their rent for 6 months?! Do people just GO and then expect to be placed at a random job? I can understand paying some rent up front, and then living off some savings, but what happens after 6 months when it's depleted? This goes for moving to a new place without a job as well. Don't most jobs in rural areas pay REALLY low wages?

The reason i am asking this is because quite frankly, i often get tired of commuting across Seattle all week, then having 2 days (my weekend) where i often have to handle other business such as paying bills and running errands. It sounds like this rural life is very leisurely and appealing. I may wish to get out of the city and do something like others are talking about, i just have no idea how i'd do it unless i wanted to live in a tent off the fat of the land!

[Singlemom3]

If you read history, you would know that America was built on small towns. How did they make it? You keep saying it is not any of your buisness, well then there is your answer.
This is a free country and I can move anywhere I want to. Like Allforcats said, everyone is different and may not want to live in big cities. Myself for one, like older towns with older homes. Not for everyone, I know I just like character in my homes and the early 1900's attract me.
You are also sterotyping but making coments like, dont all small town jobs pay low and no jobs at all? If there wasnt any jobs...do you think there would be a town at all?
Really...do you honestly think people just get in thier cars and drive with no money to a small town? Do you honestly think that I closed my eyes put my finger on the map and said lets go? If I wasnt doing any research, why am I on this site?
And about my mason jar full of cash....Its all mine and you cant have any. (otherwords...none of your business)

[Singlemom3]

Well, after reading your last post...and the last post that you may want to move to a small town...
My reasoning is part of a dream from when I was a teenager and personal issues for my family.
I started researching cities in WA about 6 months ago. I have family in every part of WA, and so I ask them there opinion. You can read newspapers on line. Get some ideal on jobs and housing.
Unfortunatley, living in a small town may require travel to a bigger city. It is all in what you want out of life and where you feel more comfortable. I have moved many many times, and I can tell you, most towns are the same.
Like I said, I started researching places like Tacoma, Everette, Kirkland, Auburn and so on...rent is a big issue for me. Travel not so much..so I guess it is all what your dreams and desires are.
Once you come to a descion, then you make it happen.
As for money? I have been saving for a year. And getting things ready..like car, paying off excess credit cards, custody papers, and learning how to live small. Which isnt a bad ideal wherever you live.
So yes, you need to save money, but more than a few months worth. And it depends on your occupation. I will also start calling business a few weeks before I move to set up interviews. Places like Hotjobs on yahoo, career builders, and newspapers.
Now a place to live is another story, I will probably have a list of places i want to live, but wait until I see them in person, so I will have a hotel stay for a few weeks. Hell, the kids think they will be on vacation.
I also have a back up plan....family.

[mitsuturbo]

Sounds a bit like how i returned to Seattle from Salt Lake.. i saved enough to pay 4 months rent up front and gave myself plenty of time to land a decent paying job. I guess the curve just may be larger when going to a smaller place where things move more slowly. Thank you for the feedback.

I'm thinking i may end up doing something more "middle of the road" as opposed to some remote small town. I think living out in Southworth would be nice, since the ferry ride is short, housing is cheaper, it's more spread out, and i can probably play with cars out there more than i could in the city.

I'm still considering any options that i may be able to make available to myself though. Overall, i'm just ecstatic to be out of utah and back in washington!

[Singlemom3]

It is all about being happy, right?

If you dread comming home, going to work, well then it is time for a change.

When I was married, my ex would just quit his job and epxect me to figure out where to move to next, wheter in town or out.

Once, we moved 300 miles away. We brought the nessecaties, left the rest in a storage. And after we found a place, we took our van, and made a trip every weekend to get the rest. Gas was a lot cheaper back then!

Just do some research, and since you are closer, take a trip and see if you like what you see. Just have a open mind and realize that all towns have a "bad side", "poor side", ect...
Good luck and just have a plan and a back up plan. Just remember how you got to where you are now. It was tough in the beggining...but you are making it, right?