Sooo, still saving up to move to Seattle... (apartment, credit issues)

[mrman78]

I tried to move to Seattle from Texas a few years ago but then the recession hit and decided to stay put. I'm still at the same job (glad I have one) but it's going nowhere and I'm basically just going for a paycheck with no future. It's my first job out of college and I've been there for over 5 years.

I've applied to a few jobs up there when I see them, but it seems they are not interested in out of state applicants.

Soooo, I figured 2012 is my deadline to just up and move if I STILL cannot find a job before then while living in Texas. I honestly just don't see how I can get one unless I move first, but who knows.

I have visited numerous times and have no problem with the weather (I'm from England, so used to the grey and muck!)

So here are my finances: I have $25,000 saved up so far, but scared to death of just up and moving of course! However, I think by 2012 I'll have over $30,000 saved up, probably more. This is purely savings and does not include checking (fluctuates from about $1000 - $3000) or my IRA, 401K, etc. (which of course I'm not touching!). I have a Health Savings Account with about $3000 in it, and I also own my car (4 yrs old), so have no car payment. I have excellent credit, do not have any credit card debt, but do have about $18,000 in student loans (at a fixed interest rate of 1.25%).

I'm just trying to gauge how others have moved with or without a job so I can be prepared for whatever I end up doing. I have to get out of Houston before I go crazy and can barely go one more Summer!!!!

[Inkpoe]

//www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...00-no-job.html

[AlohaHuey]

The economy may be a bit better in a year or so. Don't rule out a job as a contractor...many companies can hire in contractors easier than permanent employees, and if/when the economy improves, you may get hired in. I'd send your resume to them now and they can gauge what the market is like. It might allow you to make the move sooner. Best of luck.

[eskercurve]

It depends on the profession.

If you are an engineer or other highly technical professional (which I'm assuming you are because you emigrated from England), then if you specialize in mechanical, electrical, structural, propulsion, etc. in aerospace you should be able to find something. Or if you are into software, we got that too. Finally, biomed is big here.

If it's more managerial, you could probably find jobs here as well.

You'd have to be a little more specific.

Employers are reluctant to hire non-locals for some strange reason. Boeing and Microsoft are two companies that are NOT for only locals though, so try them.

[vandygirl]

I was in your boat last year. I moved up to Seattle without a job. It's true that out-of-state applicants are not taken seriously here. I experienced that as well.

Prior to the move I spent six months saving up money. (Half of my paycheck each month went to savings). When the time came to move I packed up my car and drove up, found an apartment and got set up here.

Make sure you have enough saved up to get you six months of living here without a job. The job market is not as good here as it is in Texas. Consider AlohaHuey's suggestion of doing contract work.

[mrman78]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I am in a technical field, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to be exact. I've seen numerous jobs in this field, but don't know how big it is there. I have a Bachelors in Geology and Geography, so could also look for Geology jobs - although they seem to be much harder to find and would probably have to go entry-level...

vandygirl, how did you go about finding an apartment? I wondered how that works if you don't already have a job and the application process, etc.

[vandygirl]

I just drove around looking for signs outside of buildings. When I found the property I liked I told the landlord the type of job I would be doing. My credit checked out so I got the apartment. If you have credit issues you might need a cosigner or you could try finding someone who needs a roommate. Best of luck to you!

[eskercurve]

GIS. Interesting. Would the jobs be from WADOT? There are a lot of surveyors and people using drones to fly over mountain ranges to do everything from study the mountains and forest to mapping road widening projects.

Anyway, I would recommend following vandygirl's advice and saving for six months expenses and moving here if you want a job here. Local government agencies are oddly enough even less inclined to hire out-of-towners. Maybe not as bad as state government agencies, or federal. I know a girl who moved here to work with NOAA and goes out on the oceans for months at a time, she came from Bristol originally! So I know it can be done.

[Radnor]

Check out craigslist for GIS-related jobs. There is one posted yesterday (1/19) for a GIS Analyst!

seattle all jobs classifieds "GIS" - craigslist

[CarlB328]

Even for government jobs it's hard to get hired from out of state. I am finally getting a government job after several years of applying, and only because it's in a crappy location.