Best City To Work In the Summer? (ski resorts, hotels)
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Hey there, this is my first post on the forums so hopefully I've put it in the right place. Anyways I'm a University student from the UK (University of London) and I'm currently in the process of sorting out a J-1 Visa to come and work in the States during the summer. The problem is I can't decide which city to focus my attention on because theres so many amazing cities in the States. So I thought I'd post here and see if you guys/gals have any pointers or information that could help me.
I've had extensive experience working in hotels before I went to University, about 4 years working across various departments such as the kitchens, reception, conferencing departments etc. So my CV is pretty good in that field and I have good references, so I'll probably focus on trying to get a job in a hotel somewhere. The advantages of this are of course quite a few big hotels are live in and I know the downsides mainly the wages (crap) and long hours.
I realise the economy is in a hell of a state at the moment, much like the British economy, but I hope that by registering my interest in jobs just under four months before the summer and being a University student with past experience of hotel work I should be able to find something. If not at least I tried.
Anyways I've been looking at three cities mainly and their plus and minus points:
New York City
Pro: Amazing history, cheapest flights from the UK, massive economy, so much to see and do I could easily spend a whole summer there and not get bored, close to many other touristy areas such as DC/Niagara/Canada if I get the time to visit them.
Cons: Expensive, too close to a 'British/European' city: one of my American flatmates said this, I'm dubious of it but he seemed to think I wouldn't get the authentic 'American' experience as much as in other places.
San Francisco
Pro: Amazing scenary, very liberal city, close(ish) to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, lots to see and do, very similar to my home town in England (Torquay, hilly coastal and kinda touristy)
Cons: Expensive, most expensive to fly to, perhaps less of a tourist industry than the other two cities and thus less hotel jobs
Las Vegas
Pro: Lots to see and do, completely different style of life to what I'm used to, within easy distance of San Francisco and Los Angeles if I get two days off to do something in, relatively cheap to live compared to the other two as long as I don't spend all my time in the strip's casinos/bars and a hell of a lot of large hotels with thousands of jobs.
Cons: Economy down the crapper (might be even harder for me to get a job?), bloody hot in the summer, apart from flying out to California it's rather in the middle of nowhere.
Can anyone expand on this? mention any other plus/minus points, suggest which one might be best or even suggest a completely different city that I may have missed altogether?
Have you considered New Orleans? It would be an interesting experience in and of itself, and it puts you close to Houston TX, puts you near the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast It gives you a chance to do the whole "American South" with swamps, the Mississippi River, etc. You could even run up to Memphis for some world class barbecue one weekend.
Of the three you have listed, I'd probably go with New York. Las Vegas seem like it would have the least to offer in terms of things to do in the immediate area, when you don't have a lot of time to take longer trips.
Go West. Of the three, San Francisco. It's gorgeous, lots of fun young people. New York is cool for it's own reasons but it's the closest thing to a european city in America. Go West and be near vast regions of wilderness. It might be an interesting change from crowded Britain. Las Vegas can be fun for 2 or 3 nights drunk and then it's like a big Disney Land with no friendly cartoon animals.
P.S. I just actually read all of your OP before I posted this and I realize I'm repeating what you've heard before. Put another way NYC isn't like anywhere else in America so most Americans wouldn't think New York would be a good way to experience this country.
Why not Los Angeles? Sure, San Francisco is great, but there is more to do in L.A. And it's about the same cost, to somewhat cheaper than the Bay Area. Still have access to wilderness, but then you've got the beaches...
I would recommend against Las Vegas. It's not that special once you get off the Strip. In fact, it can be rather dull. I second the suggestion of New Orleans also...
Have you thought about going in the other direction and taking a job at a resort, summer area that's not really in a big city. Like Tahoe or somewhere else in the mountains? Working for a raft company in the Rockies?
These types of places are hiring now and postings are pretty easy to find using google. I'm pretty sure every state in the union has two or three resort areas, if not nine or ten. They are all over you could choose one in the mountains, but is an hour drive to a place like Seattle or something. Just a thought. It probably wouldn't be as bland as working as a receptionist in Las Vegas, taking reservations all day.
Wilderness and nature is really what America is all about. This seems like the best way to experience. And being a foreigner you might even get bumped up a few spots on a list.
Cour d lene, Idaho, Willimsburg, Virginia and Newport, RI are three places that do a tremendous summer tourist business. Also there is Atlantic City which is the east coast version of Las Vegas but business really expands in the summer except that the slow economy has hurt there as well.
I think Las Vegas could get boring after a week or two. New York and San Francisco are very good choices. I would also suggest researching Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia. All of those cities are extremely touristy in the summertime, so you may have a good shot at finding a job. Also, I can't imagine getting bored in any of these cities, they offer so much and are very active and lively in the summer. San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia will give you a more "authentic all-American" experience than New York if that is something that is important to you. New York is somewhat similar to London, so it may not be the best choice for you if you are looking for something more different from where you currently are. Also, Miami and Los Angeles are worth looking at too. Miami has a very vibrant and exciting Latin American vibe, and Los Angeles is its own world with its laid back attitude and Hollywood culture. All of the cities are expensive, but Chicago, Philadelphia, and Miami are more affordable than New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. All are amazing places and I'm sure you'd have a great experience in any of them.
I agree with the previous poster who suggested going to natural areas rather than cities.
In Colorado (where I live) the mountains are filled J-1 types working seasonal jobs. A lot work at ski resorts in the winter, but there's plenty of similar type of work in the summer, too. I'm sure the wages are mediocre but they often do include housing as part of the deal.
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