Which comes first? The move or the job? (San Diego: sublet, house)

[RainedOn]

I've recently been approached with the opportunity to move to San Diego (something I've been wanting to do for some time) with some friends and get a GREAT deal on a house for one month. This would allow me to live in the area while I 1.find a job 2.familiarize myself with the area and 3.find a neighborhood I'd like to move to. The only problem is that since this opportunity came on very suddenly, I have basically no money saved and I do actually have a great paying job where I'm currently living in Seattle.

I've started applying for several positions but most responses I have gotten saying something to the tune of "Call us when you get down here." Is it true that I have to relocate before I will be able to find employment? Or is it realistic to think that I might find find something before thing big move?

I don't know what the job climate is down there right now, so I have no idea how difficult it will be for me to find a position. By the way, I'm in the Marketing industry.

[california5]

My personal opinion is to have a job and then move. Otherwise thing can get ugly real fast, especially if you do not have enough savings to live off of while finding a job. Not a smart way to do things, in my opinion.

[e.ortega]

If you had enough money to live off on for at least 1yr I would definitely tell you to go for it and give it a chance but considering you mentioned you have BASICALLY NO MONEY SAVED I wouldn't recommend that be a SMART move so to speak at this time.

[guacamole_lover]

I agree. You're fortunate to have a high paying job right now. If you move without any money saved, you will have that bit of stress in the back of your mind the whole time you're in SD until you find a job. And in terms of the job, you don't want to jump at the first offer. It might not be the ideal in terms of pay, responsibillities, etc.

After you have enough money saved, you can always sublet a place for cheap and explore SD.

[PHItoLAX]

Job first, in my opinion. I did the move first and it took me 11 months to find a good job that pays well and is something I enjoy doing. My fiancee was offered a fantastic position (which was the reason for the move) and I had a lot of money saved, but even then it started to get a little hairy after 9 months or so.

[loveautumn]

If you have a great paying job in Seattle, seriously, I would stay there. right now, job trumps everything else. And the SD job market is terrible....especially marketing. Those are the first people to go and the last people to be brought back in. Hey, be happy where you are...at least you live in a great city and have a good job.

[zango]

Save up some money, at least $5-10k. Then move to SD. Otherwise you will probably fail. Sorry.

[PeterHSd]

It's realllly expensive here, just the cost of living and stuff... I'm thinking of moving back to New Mexico primarily because of the financial woes I'm facing, and I had to get a pretty low-paying job as a recent college grad, and I can barely make ends meet... basically can pay rent, and that's it, and in New Mexico I'd be living pretty well. I wouldn't recommend moving here w/o a job and/or a lot of money saved up, myself..

[joyfulgirl1]

I would wait out the job market before moving. San Diego will always be here but a well paying job may not...

[ontheGtrain]

Don't do it. The job market is bad. Real bad. And jobs, in general, do not pay very well here when you consider the cost of living. Give it a year or two and save up some serious cash.