My impressions of CLE metro -- PHOTOS included! (Cleveland, Minerva: rent, student loans)

[teacherdad]

DAng! I am behind. I am on year 21 and the only job since college. Time to move!

[jprice15]

Originally Posted by nep321

Well not really. In my field, I have never craved more challenge, because there's always a lot to learn. Corporate taxation is VERY complex and even managers, directors and executives don't even know 20% of all there is to know about taxes.

If you look at many peoples' job histories on LinkedIn, you would be surprised at how many people have job hopped MUCH more than I have. Some people have 9-month stints here and there, and are already on their 5th or 6th job by the age of 30.

You answered your question.

[ByeByeSanDiego]

Personally, I think you should go for it. Move. You're in an unfulfilling job that could possibly be stunting your professional development, and you think you should stay so that your CV says "2014-2016"?

You are young, and you do sound rather risk averse, but you have a marketable skill, and there is always contract work at places like Robert Half, AccountTemps, etc. it sounds like you are trying to plan your life down to the most minute detail. That's called setting yourself up for a major meltdown down the road. Esp if every detail doesn't pan out according to plan.

I have hired and managed people. In an interview, if you simply said that you have been trying to find your "niche," and are so excited to be in CLE, putting down roots in a city in the rise, being part of the community, etc. what is wrong with that? If a company wants you, they will you for you and not necessarily be impressed that you stuck out a job you don't like.

Besides, I thought it was de rigeur for Milennials to change jobs.

Perhaps my approach is different. Maybe I'm used to CA's more progressive approach to certain things, and maybe I have forgotten how the other side of the country is.

Another good thing about contract/temp work is that it will introduce you to the business climate in CLE, and enable you to test drive different potential jobs so that your next move is the right one. It's also a great way to network.

Finally, volunteering is a fantastic way to connect. Consider the LGBT Community Center, or something else that holds meaning for you.

Give yourself permission to have the kind of life you want - YOU DESERVE THAT - and don't waste anymore time doing things that don't fulfill you and make you feel alive. It sounds like you are in a soul-sucking situation. So, just leave. You can do it. You will feel SO free. Trust me.

[bjimmy24]

Good post above^^ I wouldn't hesitate much bout moving to Cleveland without a job. If you're a competent employee, someone is going to want you sooner or later. People move around and change jobs a lot nowadays, so I don't think your situation is unusual.

[nep321]

I know. I think I really do want to make this move. I can actually picture myself living there and liking it.

But what if a full year goes by and I still can't find a job? My $75,000 in savings will then drop to $45,000. That would be tragic.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by nep321

I know. I think I really do want to make this move. I can actually picture myself living there and liking it.

But what if a full year goes by and I still can't find a job? My $75,000 in savings will then drop to $45,000. That would be tragic.

Yep, that would suck.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Yep, that would suck.

Big time. That's a few years worth of savings down the drain in just one year.

[Cleverfield]

Originally Posted by nep321

Big time. That's a few years worth of savings down the drain in just one year.

Maybe you've answered this already, but why can't you look for a job before you move?

[jprice15]

Just do it!

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

Maybe you've answered this already, but why can't you look for a job before you move?

I mean, I could, but it's highly unlikely that it would work out, since I wouldn't be a local candidate. Unfortunately, that might be the only real option.

Personally, I am not comfortable with the potential to lose nearly half of my cash savings in just one year. That's tragic.