Doing an in-state move without a job (jobs, expensive, move back)

[moodysunflower]

I'm pushing 40, single, and living in Central Oregon, although I'm originally from Portland. I had some serious health issues last year and couldn't work, but I've made a good recovery and want to get back out there. (I'm educated and have 5+ years in my field.)


The problem is ... I live in central Oregon. I'm staying with family (had to move when I developed my health problems), do not have access to a car, and have not had any luck finding work here, save for a very part-time online writing gig. The city I'm in is a vacation town, really, and most jobs here are in the service industry and pay very little. If I did find work here, getting to the job would be difficult since the teeny public transit system is unreliable and everything is spread out.

I really want to go back to Portland (I'm a city gal) and feel like I would have better luck finding work there. (Plus, I would have an easier time getting around.) I know the housing is stupidly expensive (I watched rents claim during the time I lived there) but the housing market isn't great where I currently am. (Low vacancy rates and high rents despite crappy wages). I have a little bit of money stashed away and I can probably crash on a friend's couch for a while, so how crazy would I be to just go to PDX and try my luck?

ETA: I don't have a house full of furnishings. I've been literally living out of a suitcase for five months.

[bizcuit]

Originally Posted by moodysunflower

I'm pushing 40, single, and living in Central Oregon, although I'm originally from Portland. I had some serious health issues last year and couldn't work, but I've made a good recovery and want to get back out there. (I'm educated and have 5+ years in my field.)


The problem is ... I live in central Oregon. I'm staying with family (had to move when I developed my health problems), do not have access to a car, and have not had any luck finding work here, save for a very part-time online writing gig. The city I'm in is a vacation town, really, and most jobs here are in the service industry and pay very little. If I did find work here, getting to the job would be difficult since the teeny public transit system is unreliable and everything is spread out.

I really want to go back to Portland (I'm a city gal) and feel like I would have better luck finding work there. (Plus, I would have an easier time getting around.) I know the housing is stupidly expensive (I watched rents claim during the time I lived there) but the housing market isn't great where I currently am. (Low vacancy rates and high rents despite crappy wages). I have a little bit of money stashed away and I can probably crash on a friend's couch for a while, so how crazy would I be to just go to PDX and try my luck?

ETA: I don't have a house full of furnishings. I've been literally living out of a suitcase for five months.

IMO, it doesn't sound all that risky, especially if you can stay with friends. Presumably, if it didn't work out, you could move back to central OR?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by moodysunflower

Doing an in-state move without a job

In-state requires the same effort/considerations as an out of state move.

#1 is to choose the new location VERY carefully wrt whatever sort of work you do.
iow go somewhere that will have decent paying jobs available for YOU.

#2 is a willingness to take pretty much any 'get by' job once you get there.
This means to NOT spend saving on living expenses
and don't expect that the "good job" you're qualified for will be waiting.

...so how crazy would I be to just go to PDX and try my luck?

Only YOU can answer the Q's about viable job market vs your skills, etc.
Only YOU can answer the Q's about willingness to do OTHER jobs until you can get the good one.
Only YOU can answer the Q's about willingness to NOT use savings for living expenses. Ever.