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We are currently looking into Chicago, Austin, Oakland, or potentially even Albuquerque... but are open to other options and I would like some input from others.
A little background...
I currently live in Richmond Virginia. I am a 2008 college graduate with a degree in Mass Communications, focus on Broadcast Journalism. Since completing school I worked briefly for a production company and our local PBS affiliate, then the economy went south, work dried up, and I was forced to take a job at a restaurant, followed by a job in a warehouse. I have worked at this warehouse for the past year.
When I completed school, I also had a child, who is now 2 and a half.
My significant other had a little more success, and works for a major cable provider as a direct sales rep. She does not especially like it, but she makes good money and has a decent amount saved up.
We're hoping that this savings will enable us to move and we are tossing around the options. As parents with some limited savings and similarly limited experience, we need a city where we can afford the rent, but has job opportunities for both of us. As I'd like to work in television, film, or even corporate and event video production, the obvious choices for industry are NY and LA... those are also the most difficult to afford, especially considering child care. I am also open to any job that my degree and experience qualifies me for.
She has the same degree, and is even more open with what she wants to do.
We have considered Austin, TX based on the low unemployment numbers and great music scene, as well as the studio system that they have built. But I hear warnings of overqualified people and underemployment.
My favorite city we've looked at is Chicago, as I grew up there for the very early parts of my life and I think it's a great city. I hear they're building a studio system, to be owned by Cinespace, and I know some people with some connections in that area.
The lady wants to go to San Francisco/Oakland. I think it's out of the price range and am not sure of the work opportunities there, though I am willing to be proven wrong.
Albuquerque seems like it's blowing up for film, but who knows how long that will be sustained and how hard it is to break in there. Also, what else is going on there for employment?
What cities are we overlooking that we should check out? What are opinions on those cities from people who know better than us?
We would prefer a larger city- which is the appeal of Chicago for me. Professional sports, public transportation' and increased salary potential with rents similar in some neighborhoods to what we pay now. The climate wouldn't bother me in any place really, though for the lady she's socal all the way, but can cope.
Over Knoxville or Wilmington I'd say Atlanta, but despite the logical arguments in favor of any SE city, the lady refuses the southeast further inland or further south than where we are.
Population - 400,000+
Well known for its night scene: tons of diverse restuarants, clubs, bars, concerts, events, weekly festivals, and parades
Randy McNally rated Oakland as having the best weather out of major cities. With 73% sunshine in daylight hours
Rated 3rd best city for women owned business
ONe of the most diverse cities in the United States
A bridge away from San Francisco and Alameda, and city limits away from Emeryville, Berkeley, San LEandro
AS part of the East Bay Regional PArk District, Oakland has more parks per capita than any other city if the U.S
The transportation hub of the Bay: Amtrak Train, B.A.R.T train, AC Transit,shuttles, Ferries, access to 2 bridges, tunnels, and major highways.
Tons of attractions : Oakland Zoo, LAke Temescal and Lake Merritt, Chabot Space and Science Center, Sports: MLB, NBA, NFL, JAck London Square, Children's Fairyland (one of the inspirations to Disneyland), Museums, ANd many, many more
Major corporations are all over Oakland, and of course in the bay
Area. And they happen to be major employers
School Alumni include : Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Bill Russell, Gary PAyton, Jason Kidd and a HOST of MANY athletes, entertainers, activist and politicians, musicians, and composers, writers and poets etc..
Well we currently spend 1150, which is high for our area. Our range is from way cheaper to maybe a little more if an income of about 30k or more isn't too hard to establish in the area. We will have maybe 15k total with us.
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