Moving to Boston: job or apartment first? (sublets, apartments)

[monicad]

Or neither?
I'm a 22 year old paralegal living in San Diego and I want out.
I'm thinking of saving up $5k-$7k and then just picking up and leaving.
Here's my problem: How does one obtain a job in Boston without living there yet, and how do you find an apartment when you live out of state?

Here's my grand plan-
1. Save up money (2 or 3 months worth of living expenses?)
2. Go to Boston and stay at a cheap hotel while I look for an apartment
3. Desperately look for job. Are employment agencies helpful in Boston? I've been able to find lots of work here in San Diego using legal staffing companies.

So is this feasible or completely far-fetched and ridiculous?
All feedback is appreciated.

-Monica

[ellie84]

Originally Posted by monicad

Or neither?
I'm a 22 year old paralegal living in San Diego and I want out.
I'm thinking of saving up $5k-$7k and then just picking up and leaving.
Here's my problem: How does one obtain a job in Boston without living there yet, and how do you find an apartment when you live out of state?

Here's my grand plan-
1. Save up money (2 or 3 months worth of living expenses?)
2. Go to Boston and stay at a cheap hotel while I look for an apartment
3. Desperately look for job. Are employment agencies helpful in Boston? I've been able to find lots of work here in San Diego using legal staffing companies.

So is this feasible or completely far-fetched and ridiculous?
All feedback is appreciated.

-Monica

Hi Monica
Your in luck! Boston is a great city to work in
with a good career. They have wonderful agencies.
IT is time you get busy and call them up get on
the net now. Send out your resume DON"T quit
your job till you find another one in Boston!
And you will
The agencies in Boston may even fly you to them
if they like you enough
Look on the net google them Boston paralegal agencies
You will be surprised
Good luck
I worked in Boston and went to college there
Im now retired

[FashionD]

As for the apartment, I'd suggest maybe flying out for a few days and finding one? Or stay at a B&B while looking. They're cheaper than motels/hotels most of the time.

[WannaGoHome]

hey there. I think I responded to you before on another post, but the ol' memory escapes me.

Your savings seems good, but be aware that it is very difficult to get a job here without a Boston address. I would suggest getting a sublet. It's difficult sometimes (we had hell trying to get someone to rent to us), but what helped is that we had family to look at apartments for us. Maybe you could set up a ton of appointments and come one weekend. Don't be afraid to look into roommates/shares as well. They tend to be a little more lenient. As for the sublets, you'll usually have to pay upfront, so keep that in mind.

Boston is awesome. It's funny, I work at a law center and we just had an opening for a paralegal, but it was filled! Darnit. I don't think you'll have too hard of a time though. Look on idealist.org for legal organizations and send out your resume letting them know that you are able to come for an interview at any time convenient to them. That'll get you noticed. Then you can BS a lil' if they call you. Say that you just got back from Boston and won't be coming back for a few weeks. Then you can make your appointments for sublets and do it all in the same time period.

Try RAD staffing. They are awesome. Cheers!

[monicad]

Thanks!

[Suericio]

may i ask y u are moving and what made u pick boston? cuz i'm actually thinkin about doing the opposite from what u are about to do!

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by monicad

Or neither?
How does one obtain a job in Boston without living there yet, and how do you find an apartment when you live out of state?
-Monica

I got a job in Boston from out of state. I sent my resume out to all the major hospitals and one called me back. On my resume I indicated I wanted to live in a fast paced big city and work in a fast paced big city hospital. I said I was highly energetic and bored where I was and was looking for something more challenging.

That worked for me and it might work for you. Just be prepared to live up to it, because you will get what you asked for.

[monicad]

Originally Posted by Suericio

may i ask y u are moving and what made u pick boston? cuz i'm actually thinkin about doing the opposite from what u are about to do!

Well, I've lived in Southern California my entire life and I am BORED out of my skull. I've only been to Boston once, but I just loved it. I want to live in a real city. While San Diego is a nice city, it's just not for me. Although I do like the neighborhood that I currently live in (Hillcrest).

[Suericio]

why not la or sf instead? that is kinda where i want to go but still up in the air. but boston is def not as expensive as those 2. but on the upside boston does have a better football and baseball team!!!!!

[jronald]

It is not far fetched at all. I actually did the same thing. It is not necessary to secure a job prior to moving, it sounds like you already have experience in your field. I would recommend saving up to at least 7k though, I saved up ten and with housing it went pretty quickly. The job process also can take a while too. Finding a job, you would go through the regular means, ie boston.com, craigslist, and staking out the law firms you are interested in checking their employment section and submitting resumes. For an apartment, you can use the same methods, boston.com, craigslist and realtors. They will find an apartment for you, but there is a price attached. Usually it is one months rent. So be prepared to spend first, last, security deposit, fee and at times a key deposit. These fees will probably add up to 4 months of rent, up front too. Good luck.