Where to? Final decision needs to be made... Need "pet-friendly" area (dogs) with "take it as it comes" attitude

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Originally Posted by dacx

I am being forced to move by the end of summer. It's a long story so I won't go into all the details; let's just say that legal issues are not involved.

So...this is me and this is what I need:

I am a single male in my early 40's. I am generally a quiet, laid-back person which is good to some extent but makes it difficult to meet people, make friends. I don't need to be "Mr. popular" but it would be nice to meet people to do things with occasionally.

I work in the low pay, high turnover social service sector. I wouldn't mind getting out of it but I don't mind it either. The problem is that the low pay sucks when you live in an area with a high cost of living. I have no experience with anything else outside of hospitality, (another low-paying industry) nor do I desire to get into the high-pay, high tech industry.

I do have a bachelors degree in sociology. I might consider going back to school in order to get a masters but, I don't want to feel that I have to in order to make a livable wage.

I need at least 3 distinct seasons. I could live with or without a cold, hard winter.

I am pretty "open-minded". I don't mind gangster's, hillbillies, hippies, mountain-men, country-folk, etc. What I don't like are people that are too judgemental towards others

Sports: I love to watch but I'm ok with the minor-league, college and/or high school scene. I don't need pro.

What else?

Let's see........The area needs to be "pet-friendly" (dogs) and conducive to a "take it as it comes" attitude.

Please help me decide.

I'm guessing that with a bachelor's, you are working some sort of case manager job. Low pay, high stress, lots of turnover. I'm not sure what a masters in Sociology would get you. Maybe a teaching position in a community college?

If you decide to go back for a graduate degree, look for something with a professional degree at the end.

Not that you need a professional degree to make a decent living. There are case manager jobs in countless different settings -- mental health, disabilities services, geriatric care... -- about the country. There were a number of suggestions on areas to look into.

Is there something more you are looking for besides and affordable, dog friendly area that isn't too progressive?

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

If you decide to go for the master's degree, be sure to research which ones are worth it.

The Best And Worst Master's Degrees For Jobs Right Now - Forbes

Counseling, library science, and teaching are listed at the bottom. Occupational Therapy is up there and might be a better fit with your background and interests than say electrical engineering or information systems.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.