Planning move to Cities from Duluth (Crystal, New Hope: apartments, renter, good credit)

[saykinriseo]

Ok so not to post too long of story: My girlfriend and I were planning on moving to the Cities as soon as next month. Currently we live in Duluth. She recently graduated with a BA in Communications and a Library Science Minor (looking for work in a library, doesn't need to be full-time). I have been working mainly menial labor jobs but have a solid work history including over 4 years at the same employer. I'm 29 now and look to find an actual career and not just a job. I don't have a college degree. I've been looking (and so has she) and there is really nothing up here in Duluth other than minimum wage type service/fast-food jobs or highly professional (Master's level) jobs and above.

I would like to work in a factory/industrial setting making $12/hour or so. I would also need to be on a bus line as I have no car (but could get one if I get paid enough at the job I will get). Combined we have about $7,000 in savings. Would this be enough to get a decent apartment until we can get jobs? Is the job market good enough in the Cities for me to get a job? It seems like there is much more opportunity in the Cities and that's why we were planning a move. Am I way out in left field here, or could we both find jobs somewhat easily before our savings run out?

Also, it seems that most apartments I've looked at online require income verification. Is this going to be a problem if both of us are unemployed upon arriving? Thanks in advance for the help.

[saykinriseo]

I guess as a quick addendum: If you believe the Cities wouldn't be best for us, what area within about 6 hours or so of Duluth would be? We need to be somewhat close to Duluth as my girlfriend has family there.

[uptown_urbanist]

You could offer to pay first and last month's rent up-front (as well as security deposit), which should be easily doable for you, given your savings. We did that when we moved for my grad school. If you have a decent credit score and a solid rental history that will also help. If that doesn't work, you could also try a sublet; sometimes landlords are less picky about that, if the original renter is still on the hook for rent if you flake out.

My guess is that your girlfriend is going to have a tough time finding library work, as she'll be competing against a lot of people who have advanced library degrees and are willing to take PT work. It's worth a shot, though!

I don't know about the factory/industrial work side of things, but I think you should both be able to line up at least temporary jobs to pay the rent and bills while you search for longer-term jobs.

[golfgal]

Since you are trying to get on your feet and get a life started, I would suggest that you look outside of the Twin Cities where the cost of living is much less, yet you would still have opportunities for jobs. Places like Northfield, St. Peter, Marshall, Willmar would be considerations. Marshall is about as far away from Duluth as you can get in the state and it's a 6 hour drive so that really gives you a lot of options in the state. They are also places where you could easily get by without a car or rent is affordable enough that you can buy a car. They all have great job prospects for you and your girlfriend. Marshall will probably have the best prospects with the very, very low unemployment rate and several major employers there. You can easily find a nice, 2 bedroom apartment for $400-500/month and walk everywhere in town if you want.

[Kebinminn]

If you have a good credit score it may be enough to do it, it really depends on the place.

I don't know if this interests you but I've heard of a lot of demand for skilled manufacturing. You may need to go to school first, North Hennepin Has a program, and as a student you'd have access to funding for housing. I think the program only runs six months or so and the pay is supposed to be decent. Here's an article for it.

Minnesota Manufacturers Report Shortage of Skilled Workers

I think the NW suburbs have some good options, Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope all have a fair amount of apartment buildings plus you'd be a bit more centralized for whatever commute either of you get with the potential to bus to work. Busses run to downtown instead of suburb to suburb so it could be a longer bus ride than you want and I don't think you'll find a lot of industrial downtown.

I'd try and look beforehand so one of you knows where you'll be working, a relocation from Duluth doesn't seem like it would be a big issue when job hunting. I think you'll find something though, even places like Aldi pay above $12 an hour.

[uptown_urbanist]

Good point about finding at least one job in advance; that is always ideal, and Duluth is so close that you (or your girlfriend) could come down for the day for an interview. Or even just get set up with a temp agency -- I haven't used those in the Twin Cities, but I know recent graduates who have, and they got set up with long-term temp jobs fairly quickly.

[snofarmer]

As mentioned, find jobs first then move.