Moving from Ohio to Illinois (Chicago, Bolingbrook: apartment, for rent, credit card) - Chicago Suburbs - (IL) - City-Data Forum

Serra85 · 12-05-2008, 04:06 PM

I am currently living in Elyria, Ohio and between the economy tanking and jobs closing up faster than you can imagine I am looking to get out while I still can. I am 23 and I work two jobs to really pay off my credit card debt ($2k) however minimum wage here is $7 and that's pretty close to what I am making an hour. Overall I probably bring in $1200 a month, which gets my by but I am killing myself working all the hours I do.

A friend of mine living in Plainfield offered to put a good word in for me with the health dept and from her reference it's pretty much an in the bag sort of thing. It's a state job that starts off $12 a hour overtime every week if you want, state benefits (which btw I have none at the moment), ect. I would probably be bringing in about 1600 a month after taxes.

I found a decent apartment in Boilingbrook but I am having a hard time making a decision. Does Illinois have more job opportunities or would it be just moving into another Ohio situation where the paper headline is always about some other company closing or cutting back hundreds of jobs? I don't know..any advice would be appreciated.

chet everett · 12-05-2008, 04:28 PM

I generally do not advise people to move to the region, but you seem to have an easy decision.

I have friends in Ohio and if they had no ties to the state and a friend with an inside line on a government type job with a 50%+ boast in pay I'd hear their engine start and phone click!

The thing to really be sure of is the "lock" that your friend has on that job -- if there are others that have a say-so for it can you be sure it will go to you?

Ohio has more mid-sized cities than Illinois, but is also more dependent on automakers. No telling how long they will be hurting.

Do not come to Illinois expecting to never see headlines for lay offs -- we have had plenty and will probably have plenty more.

The new administration has strong ties to Illinois and will try to help out any way they can.

Not saying Ohio is doomed, but if you have better connections here than there, that could be thing that really tips it.

Good Luck!

Steve-o · 12-06-2008, 12:34 AM

To be honest, NO place is safe from the recession. IL is doing good in areas, really poor in others, probably no different than in OH. There might be more job opportunities in Chicagoland than in OH, but things are tight here, too, and many companies are laying people off left and right. I had a friend who lost BOTH his jobs in the same week, but luckily landed a job a week later. Soooooo, some jobs are to be had, but not many. Good luck to you!

jlawrence01 · 12-07-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serra85

I am currently living in Elyria, Ohio and between the economy tanking and jobs closing up faster than you can imagine I am looking to get out while I still can. I am 23 and I work two jobs to really pay off my credit card debt ($2k) however minimum wage here is $7 and that's pretty close to what I am making an hour. Overall I probably bring in $1200 a month, which gets my by but I am killing myself working all the hours I do.

I found a decent apartment in Boilingbrook but I am having a hard time making a decision. Does Illinois have more job opportunities or would it be just moving into another Ohio situation where the paper headline is always about some other company closing or cutting back hundreds of jobs? I don't know..any advice would be appreciated.

Have you taken the time to research what you'll pay for an apartment in Chicagoland area?

I moved from the Elyria area in 2000 and you will likely see your rent DOUBLE. If you live out in the fringe areas (as opposed to the city of Chicago), you'll find that most of the expenses in those areas are pretty identical to those in Lorain Co., OH.

BTW, lose the TV and you won't have to listen to all the bad news. No offense, but when I visited Elyria in 1980, the unemployment rate was maybe 15%. Still, that means that 85% are working.

chet everett · 12-07-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Have you taken the time to research what you'll pay for an apartment in Chicagoland area?

I moved from the Elyria area in 2000 and you will likely see your rent DOUBLE. If you live out in the fringe areas (as opposed to the city of Chicago), you'll find that most of the expenses in those areas are pretty identical to those in Lorain Co., OH.

BTW, lose the TV and you won't have to listen to all the bad news. No offense, but when I visited Elyria in 1980, the unemployment rate was maybe 15%. Still, that means that 85% are working.

I mean, on the bright side, even if things get as bad as 30's (and I have every reason to believe that is incredibly far fetched...) and 25% of folks are unemployed, that STILL means 3 out of 4 are WORKING...

Turn off the TV! The hype-masters of the boobtube LIVE off of BAD NEWS and they want to to see mobs looting in the streets so that they have THE VIDEO!!!!

Serra85 · 12-08-2008, 02:58 PM

Actually I don't have time to watch TV with working two jobs. =p I was actully going to live in Plainfield or close by there and looking at rent seems to be around $645 for a one bedroom. Granted it is more than what I pay now, $439, but it is a better wuality of life...since Elyria has pretty much become the ghetto. Going off what is actually happening here for the end of 2008 the majority of people are in the process of getting laid of or have been already. Since my two jobs are a gas station third shift and Best Buy..I am thinking that having a job with an actual future for it is looking worth the increase of rent.

chet everett · 12-08-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serra85

Actually I don't have time to watch TV with working two jobs. =p I was actully going to live in Plainfield or close by there and looking at rent seems to be around $645 for a one bedroom. Granted it is more than what I pay now, $439, but it is a better wuality of life...since Elyria has pretty much become the ghetto. Going off what is actually happening here for the end of 2008 the majority of people are in the process of getting laid of or have been already. Since my two jobs are a gas station third shift and Best Buy..I am thinking that having a job with an actual future for it is looking worth the increase of rent.

Like I said, if your friend really does have an legitimate inside track on a government type job, that is about as you can hope for.

Retail is far too easy to hire and just as easy to lay off. Hard to make a career out of it.

I would caution that as the economy gets yuckier there will be more pressure to make sure that the government jobs are going to those who "most need it" which in Illinois is just code for those with the best connections

, so I really hope that your friend is not just guessing that you'd be a shoe-in , but that they really have some pull...

Chummy Waters · 12-09-2008, 02:03 PM

I'd say move, you are young and the worse that can happen is you go back to working at the jobs you are at now. You're moving to a developing area outside of Chicago in lieu of where you are now and getting into a career instead of dead end jobs. Good luck to you!

cjw1169 · 01-06-2009, 01:11 AM

I am from Akron, and moved here in 84 to Bolingbrook. I currently live in the Northwest Burbs. It was complete culture shock to see what you have to pay for rent/mortgage. I would really make sure you have that job. Even so, Bolingbrook has some really bad areas. I have nothing against Bolingbrook, but it is still expensive. Just an example: I decided to move back to Ohio in 94, 3 bdrm 2 1/2 bath 1 car garage in North Canton $560 a month. All Brand New, beautiful place. My Ohio Friends thought I was crazy for paying so much! Moved back to IL 97 2 Bdrm 1 bath no Garage in Glendale Heights 980 a month and a dump. There are a lot of jobs out here, but you may need a few room mates to help cut down the costs. It is expensive out here. In a nutshell, 12 bucks an hour in Il is almost like 7 bucks in Oh. When I go back to visit Family in Ohio, I feel like I am in Mexico when we go out to eat or to Bars etc... So much Cheaper! Not trying to scare, but grass is not always greener.

lincolnparker · 01-06-2009, 03:24 AM

ha, try moving to manhattan then go back to Ohio to go out. you will think you are in Africa

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjw1169

I am from Akron, and moved here in 84 to Bolingbrook. I currently live in the Northwest Burbs. It was complete culture shock to see what you have to pay for rent/mortgage. I would really make sure you have that job. Even so, Bolingbrook has some really bad areas. I have nothing against Bolingbrook, but it is still expensive. Just an example: I decided to move back to Ohio in 94, 3 bdrm 2 1/2 bath 1 car garage in North Canton $560 a month. All Brand New, beautiful place. My Ohio Friends thought I was crazy for paying so much! Moved back to IL 97 2 Bdrm 1 bath no Garage in Glendale Heights 980 a month and a dump. There are a lot of jobs out here, but you may need a few room mates to help cut down the costs. It is expensive out here. In a nutshell, 12 bucks an hour in Il is almost like 7 bucks in Oh. When I go back to visit Family in Ohio, I feel like I am in Mexico when we go out to eat or to Bars etc... So much Cheaper! Not trying to scare, but grass is not always greener.