Moving out of state (from Michigan) (Memphis, Bartlett: apartments, lease, utilities)

[NuWoman25]

**I will attempt to give as much information as I can to get the most accurate answers! Anything will help... Thanks in Advance!!**

I am looking to move from West Michigan to more than likely Memphis, TN as that is where my significant other resides. I am concerned about moving expenses as well as any tips for making this as smooth as possible.

I am currently a Social Worker (for a non-profit agency) with a Master's in Social Worker, I will have to look into becoming fully licensed in another state as right now I hold a LLMSW for Michigan. I have about $4,500 saved and will be putting anything that I get back for income tax toward this as well. My current lease is up in February and would need to be out by 1st of March. I would be looking for an apartment that can have dogs because I have a Beagle mix. I am thinking that my renting range would max be at like $700 because I need to keep into consideration utilities. I do not have any children either. I also have a car that I will be bringing along with me, would it be smarter to pull it behind the moving truck or have another driver, which I know would be more money for gas.

I should state that I plan on selling most of my furniture, if I can so that I'm moving with the bare minimum. I plan on taking, for sure, my bed (queen size), my dining room table, and perhaps my dresser and armoir, as well as some totes with odds and ends and dishes/pots and pans.

My questions are, when should I begin job hunting or if anyone knows of good Social Work positions in Memphis, does anyone know of a good area to look for apartments that would be safe. I'm not in the position to reside with my bf right now, but could consider that, if need to. Also if anyone has any tips or ideas for my move and making it smooth in terms of what to take and what not to take if I don't need to. I often find that I have a lot of stuff, but can separate with some when I need to.

Thanks and I will provide more information if I need to!!

[ckdub]

Hi! Youth Villages is always looking for Social Workers, and they will also reimburse you for licensure. They work with at-risk kids and their families. The pay is average, but you can live pretty cheaply in the Memphis area. If you send in your resume now, you should hear something relatively quickly. Another option is Compass Intervention Center (also at-risk kids), or a dialysis clinic case management position. Have you done any searches yet? There are usually multiple jobs for LCSW's. Look on Indeed.com.

I would look for apartments in Cordova, Bartlett, East Memphis, Downtown or Midtown. All have reasonable rents for what you need. Much depends on where you work. Do a search on Craigslist.

Depending on what type of car you have, you may be able to get a smaller U-Haul trailer and pull it with your car. If you plan on selling a lot of your things anyway, that could save a lot of money. You would need to get a hitch to pull the trailer. Otherwise, you could look into renting a Pod and having someone else move your things and drop it off at your new place.

I would focus on getting a job first, and then working on the rest. Moving without a job in this economy (especially in mental health) could be dangerous. Hope this helps!