When do you decide you'll move anywhere for work? (unemployed, degree, jobs)

[sweethearttx]

So...I have not been unemployed as long as some people. I am still fairly young (29), no kids, just two cats. I have been out of work for 3 months and no solid leads in sight. I have recently had to move back home with my parents and am miserable.

I work in IT (tech writing). Up until now I was determined to remain here in Texas. But now I'm starting to wonder if I really ought to just open myself to any place in the country that will give me a job, and that I think I might like alright. Really my only criteria is cultural diversity and no extreme winters. But I'm afraid of getting somewhere and hating it.

When do you decide you just need to move wherever you can find work? Has anyone else finally come to that decision? What made you just let go, and how did it work out for you?

[subwayfan]

I can say that the Mid-Atlantic (DC, MD, DE, SE PA, NJ) will probably have colder winters than Texas, but if one works in a suburban environment - one can avoid the brunt of the cold by traveling from suburb to suburb. You'll experience the cold on the short walk to the car. Since the midwest, OH and western PA have nice suburban or small quaint towns as well, I suppose the same could be applied there.

If one works in the downtown (like downtown Philly, DC, etc.), one may experience more moments of cold, but the trade off is higher cultural diversity. A lot of cities, including Chicago, and those along the Northeast have cold winters but high cultural diversity around. Lots of restaurants nearby, cafes, bars, people of all types, pro sports, Amtrak train access, or now MegaBus Boltbus nearby for the occasional getaways on the weekends.

It's generally only 3 rough months after Dec.31, that can be depressing. But with network TV fare, taking classes, and other things going on, the months go by if one is occupied.

I generally don't like the mix of driving, then public transportation (like driving to a park-ride station, taking two trains, and then walking 4 blocks) because attire becomes an issue. In the car, I can't wear too much like a layers with a heavy jacket, with gloves and scarf, because the car is insulated and I have heat on, but when I have to switch to the outside mode, I need a heavier jacket and need to be covered up much more. And I still have the problem, at the end of the work day, where once I finally get to my car, let's say it's late January dark at 6pm, I have to wait for it to warm up.

The winter is a lot easier to tolerate if one finds a place where it's either public transportation all the way (like I could do Chicago if I lived in a nice place downtown and commuted via subway), or commuting all the way by drive, preferrably a scenic drive, with hills and trees, and or passing through lively (not economically depressed) areas.

[StilltheSame]

When I no longer enjoyed the company I was working for, that the city I lived in lacked the jobs to ensure my career would be healthy and thrive and an honest assessment of my quality of life (costs, expenses, commute) showed that it was time for a change - or that it couldnt get much worse I opened my thought process up to consider locations. I am married with children and moved from south Florida to the Mid-west - it was SO the right decision for us.

[movin'on]

sweethearttx,

I think it's great you have the flexibility you do and youth is definitely on your side! Take a chance, take a risk and just go for it! Is there anywhere you've ever said I'd really like to live there!? Then do so while you can and don't have a mortgage, kids, etc.

I was like that with San Francisco. I'd always wanted to live there and I just up and moved! It was scary but a great choice! I loved the city, the diversity, the trains, the CITY and all that went with it.

Unfortunately, I made a horrible mistake and left. I'm now 50 with a house no one wants to buy. Point is, life is not a dress rehearsal and I'd kill to be in your shoes!

[sweethearttx]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Take a chance, take a risk and just go for it! Is there anywhere you've ever said I'd really like to live here!? Then do so while you can and don't have a mortgage, kids, etc.

Thanks for your message! Hmmm...well honestly, no! I have never gotten to travel all that much. Maybe the only place I have ever had a romantic vision of was living in Seattle...but I think realistically I would miss the heat and sunshine from down here. Otherwise...I have always wanted to live near a beautiful beach, or mountains. Somewhere with more nature. I have no clue where that is though.

I have always wanted to study abroad too, and never got to. I just came back from Puerto Vallarta 2 days ago (trip was non-refundable and I had booked before I lost my job, so I went) and I just fell in love with it. If it weren't for my 2 cats I'd probably get a TESOL certificate and try to go teach in Mexico somewhere. All my things are in storage right now while I live at home. Unfortunately my 2 cats feel like kids to me...they limit me in a way. I can't see taking them to a foreign country, poor babies.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by sweethearttx

Thanks for your message! Hmmm...well honestly, no! I have never gotten to travel all that much. Maybe the only place I have ever had a romantic vision of was living in Seattle...but I think realistically I would miss the heat and sunshine from down here. Otherwise...I have always wanted to live near a beautiful beach, or mountains. Somewhere with more nature. I have no clue where that is though.

I have always wanted to study abroad too, and never got to. I just came back from Puerto Vallarta 2 days ago (trip was non-refundable and I had booked before I lost my job, so I went) and I just fell in love with it. If it weren't for my 2 cats I'd probably get a TESOL certificate and try to go teach in Mexico somewhere. All my things are in storage right now while I live at home. Unfortunately my 2 cats feel like kids to me...they limit me in a way. I can't see taking them to a foreign country, poor babies.

Well, kitties are important but so is life! I kick myself for not having returned to Spain to teach English some 25 years ago, when I was 25. Hindsight is always 20/20, but I'd jump on it now, especially considering this mess that is our country. Can you find someone to take care of your cats for a while?

I'm 50 and considering getting a master's in teaching English with the idea I just may up and move to Costa Rica someday. I regret not doing these things when I was younger. Anyway, I don't want to sound like a Mom, but these are some of the things life has taught me. Think about where you want to be and make it happen! Seattle is a great choice, but if the drizzle will bring you down find another place. I can imagine where you are living is sort of a drag, as I myself live in AZ which isn't far removed from TX.

Life is really short. Best to take the risks and chances when young!

[sweethearttx]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Well, kitties are important but so is life! I kick myself for not having returned to Spain to teach English some 25 years ago, when I was 25. Hindsight is always 20/20, but I'd jump on it now, especially considering this mess that is our country. Can you find someone to take care of your cats for a while?

I'm 50 and considering getting a master's in teaching English with the idea I just may up and move to Costa Rica someday. I regret not doing these things when I was younger. Anyway, I don't want to sound like a Mom, but these are some of the things life has taught me. Think about where you want to be and make it happen! Seattle is a great choice, but if the drizzle will bring you down find another place. I can imagine where you are living is sort of a drag, as I myself live in AZ which isn't far removed from TX.

Life is really short. Best to take the risks and chances when young!

Yes, I'm learning quickly how short life is. I wasn't able to do a lot of things when I was younger (well younger than I am now) because I was dealing with an Iraq war and raising a kid that wasn't mine.

I actually did ask my ex-husband if he'd take care of the cats for a while if I were to go away for a bit, but he has a dog now. So there went that idea. I wouldn't be comfortable any other way, they really are my babies...so I'd have to bring them with me wherever I went. I may look into it though...I agree, this country is an absolute mess right now.

I actually have an English degree already! I have dreams of traveling different places, seeing the world. I already thought of teaching English abroad. Right now sure would be an ideal time for me to do some of the things I never got to do, especially since I have no permanent residence right now. But I will say this...50 is not old! Go to Costa Rica! It's never too late...I met so many expatriates in Mexico that were in their 50's and 60's. It's never too late.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by sweethearttx

So...I have not been unemployed as long as some people. I am still fairly young (29), no kids, just two cats. I have been out of work for 3 months and no solid leads in sight. I have recently had to move back home with my parents and am miserable.

I work in IT (tech writing). Up until now I was determined to remain here in Texas. But now I'm starting to wonder if I really ought to just open myself to any place in the country that will give me a job, and that I think I might like alright. Really my only criteria is cultural diversity and no extreme winters. But I'm afraid of getting somewhere and hating it.

When do you decide you just need to move wherever you can find work? Has anyone else finally come to that decision? What made you just let go, and how did it work out for you?

Hrrm... I wouldn't, and I have had offers in other places that pay well... That is me though, if you have to go... then... Something you have to do. I'll also be 29 next month and work in IT... and have been out of work for the greater part of last 18 months, some by choice, but since June, definitely not by choice. I am just sticking it out because I like where I live, I am in a relationship, and have pretty good support system here. Besides not having work, everything else is great. And work is only one aspect of many you have to deal with...
culture
weather
location
family
love
friends
occupation

That being said I've had a decent job before, but hated all the rest of the stuff in my life, was away from people and didn't like where I was living, basically had no life because wasn't interested in amenities, culture or what was going on there, so... work isn't everything.

[yellowsnow]

I've lived in Indiana, Massachusetts, France, Texas, Utah, Minnesota, and Nevada. I've been around the block a time or two. I found things to like everywhere I've been. I can't imagine staying in any one place all my life. There's just too much to see and do. So get out there and do it. You are only going to be young once. There's a whole world out there, filled with people, places, and things you have never experienced.

If tech writing is your thing there's only one place to go and that's the west coast. Specifically Seattle and the San Francisco area. Check out the contract houses. If you're good, you may be able to get some relo. Or at least a decent contract. Heard of an outfit not too long ago that was recruiting writers to go to Dubai. Now THERE'S a tough assignment. I'd go in a second. And you don't have to pay taxes either!

[GypsySoul22]

We've moved several times, both here and abroad.
Now we have a school aged child and you cannot just keep jerking him out of his schools. It is not fair.


The one thing I have learned is your problems follow you. I'm all for moving (see my screen name) but you have to realize it is not a panacea and you will still have many, many issues. Sure, you might have a job, but there are other things to consider.

But you are young and I say go for it. Heck, even oldies, go for it!