Where would I fit? Unattached, 30 yr old female. (Charlotte, Wilmington: home, find a job)

[wow30now]

Dear internet,

Please decide where I will move. For whatever reason, this choice is about to make the cheese fully slide off of my cracker.

Ok, you don't have to make the whole decision, but opinions are tremendously appreciated.

The facts are as follows:

- it will be easiest for me to interview in the Asheville area
- it will be easiest for me to find a well-paying job in RDU
- it will be easiest for me to find a reasonable home in Charlotte
- it will be most difficult to find a job in Charlotte
- it will be most difficult to find a home in Asheville
- it will be most difficult to interview in RDU
- it will be farthest from disabled family to RDU
- it will be a sooner work start date if I work in Asheville
- I want to live somewhere with options for activities
- I need to live somewhere with a good group of single guys for dating
- I don't go out every night but like to have that option
- I don't go to every sporting event but like to have that option
- ditto for camping, rafting, antiquing, etc.
- I love snow as much as I love the beach
- I hate traffic but it's my understanding I'll have a fair dose most places
- I am only familiar with "adult" life in Wilmington


It's like an LSAT or old GRE question isn't it? Total logic problem... Any opinions about locations are appreciated. I especially appreciate info from others around my age about their experiences as a late 20's, early 30's something in that area.

I'm setting a deadline that I make the decision by next Friday and I'm leaning toward Asheville... though I think it's only out of convenience because I'm near there in this moment. Yikes.

Thank you for reading.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

If you must move I would go to the location where you get the best job offer.

What do you do?

[wow30now]

Pediatric Physical Therapist.

Job offers will pretty much be the same pay-rate in most locations. The more rural areas, however, will offer more learning opportunities and responsibility. I'd love to work at UNC hospitals but have been applying since 2005 and haven't heard a peep. Might give up that dream now. Ha.

Thanks for your response.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by wow30now

- I hate traffic but it's my understanding I'll have a fair dose most places

If you don't include I26 south of I40 in your commute, it's not that much of a deal in Asheville, certainly not like the insanity of Charlotte/RDU

[NCnut]

Originally Posted by wow30now

Pediatric Physical Therapist.

Job offers will pretty much be the same pay-rate in most locations. The more rural areas, however, will offer more learning opportunities and responsibility. I'd love to work at UNC hospitals but have been applying since 2005 and haven't heard a peep. Might give up that dream now. Ha.

Thanks for your response.

That is because the Triangle is over-saturated with people looking for jobs. Too many qualified people looking and applying for the same jobs.
I would look into a smaller town not far from a larger city for your type of job. That way you would still be close enough to a bigger city for fun, dating, shopping, etc.
Maybe somewhere 30 mins from Asheville?

[wow30now]

thanks so much!! The info about the travel and the suggestions about where to look are helpful to me!

Thanks again!

[trlhiker]

I would go with Asheville too.

[Francois]

[quote=wow30now;9842845]Dear internet,

Please decide where I will move.

Do you REALLY want a bunch of strangers on the Internet to make such a decision for you? Only you can decide that.

- it will be easiest for me to find a well-paying job in RDU

This is an unbelievable fallacy, in these econimic times., Despite what some magazines say, they are not passing out jobs on the streets. Unemployment has been rising every month, actually, mostly from unemployed people moving here thinking all of their problems will be solved and they'll be offered a plethora of jobs within 24 hours. Do your homework before moving to the Triangle.

[wow30now]

[quote=Francois;9899975]

Originally Posted by wow30now

Dear internet,



Do you REALLY want a bunch of strangers on the Internet to make such a decision for you? Only you can decide that.



This is an unbelievable fallacy, in these econimic times., Despite what some magazines say, they are not passing out jobs on the streets. Unemployment has been rising every month, actually, mostly from unemployed people moving here thinking all of their problems will be solved and they'll be offered a plethora of jobs within 24 hours. Do your homework before moving to the Triangle.

Thanks, but I'm basing that on offers I've already received. I've had several full offers from that area compared with 1-2 outside of the area. The ones in the triangle are a full 5k above the other offers with more interviewers calling daily.

Still, I haven't been able to accept because of the distance. It just has a gut icky feeling.

Thanks though, it's good advisement for some I'm sure.

[lovebrentwood]

It sounds like Asheville is your place. The only downside is there are fewer people, so there aren't as many fish in the pond.

But you need only one fish. Go find a nice doctor-fish.