Move to Pgh only if you have a job or like being unemployed. (Pittsburgh: law school, contractor)

[LivingSingle123]

Not that I need to explain anything to anyone, but let me quote from my blog:

For some time now, a little voice in my head has been telling me that trying to build a life in Pittsburgh will be the kiss of death for my career.

"Move somewhere else," the voice says. "Pittsburgh is not where you want to develop your talents." But where?...

Washington, D.C.?

The fact is, I didn't like Washington, D. C. metro area the first time around, when I lived there in 1990, and I doubt that it got any better in the ensuing years. My main issue was that the cost of living, specifically rent prices, was insane. The only way to afford to live there was to share living quarters with several other people, and the lack of privacy got to be too much for me.

Sadly, if I cannot find a good job in Pittsburgh, I will more than likely end up relocating to the D.C. area. It's fairly close, situated along the Eastern Seaboard, and offers PLENTY of job opportunities.

And, if I do relocate to D.C., I'll join the hordes of relocated Pittsburghers who make the trek back to the 'burgh on the weekends to visit their families. Leave D.C. on Friday and be back on Sunday night. Sounds like fun.

------

The other main benefit of living in DC is that I will be close by to help care for the parent who has cancer.


~~ And...many thanks to the folks posting in this thread who have been supportive and understanding.

[Hopes]

Love2Travel,

Seriously consider North Carolina and South Carolina. The job market is booming down there and the cost of living is similar to Pittsburgh's.

Another place to consider is Columbus, OH. It's growing at an amazing rate, but still close enough to Pittsburgh to come home regularly.

If I were you, I wouldn't pick a city first. I'd put my resume out there all over the country and see what turns up.

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by Love2Travel

Not that I need to explain anything to anyone, but let me quote from my blog:

For some time now, a little voice in my head has been telling me that trying to build a life in Pittsburgh will be the kiss of death for my career.

"Move somewhere else," the voice says. "Pittsburgh is not where you want to develop your talents." But where?...

Washington, D.C.?

The fact is, I didn't like Washington, D. C. metro area the first time around, when I lived there in 1990, and I doubt that it got any better in the ensuing years. My main issue was that the cost of living, specifically rent prices, was insane. The only way to afford to live there was to share living quarters with several other people, and the lack of privacy got to be too much for me.

Sadly, if I cannot find a good job in Pittsburgh, I will more than likely end up relocating to the D.C. area. It's fairly close, situated along the Eastern Seaboard, and offers PLENTY of job opportunities.

And, if I do relocate to D.C., I'll join the hordes of relocated Pittsburghers who make the trek back to the 'burgh on the weekends to visit their families. Leave D.C. on Friday and be back on Sunday night. Sounds like fun.

------

The other main benefit of living in DC is that I will be close by to help care for the parent who has cancer.


~~ And...many thanks to the folks posting in this thread who have been supportive and understanding.

Sorry, I didn'tknow about the parent with cancer. It certainly wasn't my intent to be unsupportive, but rather to just give what I thought was good advice... probably could have said it better, but....

[globalburgh]

For those interested, this job search problem is making waves among Pittsburgh employers:

The problem with job fairs

Employment services still have a lot to learn. Sharing your experience is a great way to improve the regional economy and match jobs with job seekers.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by globalburgh

For those interested, this job search problem is making waves among Pittsburgh employers:

The problem with job fairs

Employment services still have a lot to learn. Sharing your experience is a great way to improve the regional economy and match jobs with job seekers.

Looks like our OP has started a small storm that needed to be started.....

Good for you, Mary!

[globalburgh]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Looks like our OP has started a small storm that needed to be started.....

Good for you, Mary!

Exactly and why I hope she keeps blogging about her experience. The more information we can bring to light about the job situation in Pittsburgh, the better.

[Hopes]

Before you leave town, try the Urban League like they suggested, Mary.

You're starting to get recognition which could land you a great opportunity.

[claremarie]

The other main benefit of living in DC is that I will be close by to help care for the parent who has cancer.

I live in the DC area, and think you're doing the right thing. Unlike Pittsburgh, this area has plenty of jobs, and people who can write well are in particular demand. There are many "straight" journalism opportunities, as every major newspaper has a bureau in DC. Not to mention the myriad of technical and professional journals, newletters, and other publications.
And both my husband and I have frequently made the trip back to Pittsburgh to deal with our parents' medical problems -- you can make it from the Beltway to the Burgh in under four hours.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by claremarie

The other main benefit of living in DC is that I will be close by to help care for the parent who has cancer.

I live in the DC area, and think you're doing the right thing. Unlike Pittsburgh, this area has plenty of jobs, and people who can write well are in particular demand. There are many "straight" journalism opportunities, as every major newspaper has a bureau in DC. Not to mention the myriad of technical and professional journals, newletters, and other publications.
And both my husband and I have frequently made the trip back to Pittsburgh to deal with our parents' medical problems -- you can make it from the Beltway to the Burgh in under four hours.

The bad part is that it can be a long scary four hours sometimes...

[Katarina Witt]

love2Travel: You could try moving your mom down there. I ended up doing that with my mom. She did not want to come to Colorado, but I couldn't leave my family and job as often as she needed help, so we brought here out here.