STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

Moving without a job...eek. Thoughts?

Suasoria · Chanel

It seems scary but I understand the logic of it being easier to find a job locally.

Perhaps the local Craigslist posts freelance opps you could contact before you move? This way when you arrive you could have a few leads already, and tell the landlord that you are working for a few different clients. Honestly I think they care more about your credit history than your means of support.

Where in CA do you want to live? (I'm sure you've mentioned this but I can't remember.)

Kincali · Dooney & Bourke

*edited*

-- Edited by Kincali on Tuesday 7th of April 2009 09:12:04 PM

lynnie · Chanel

My friend's boyfriend is in LA (long distance, she's on east coast) and she has been looking for about 6 months to find a job. Nothing. She has a great job here, so I don't know. It is hard in this economy, ESPECIALLY long distance.

If you are going to do it, I agree that you may have to take a crappy job, small apartment, and freelance too. Things will improve. Moving is always starting over a bit.

kenzie · Chanel

Suasoria wrote:

It seems scary but I understand the logic of it being easier to find a job locally.

Perhaps the local Craigslist posts freelance opps you could contact before you move? This way when you arrive you could have a few leads already, and tell the landlord that you are working for a few different clients. Honestly I think they care more about your credit history than your means of support.

Where in CA do you want to live? (I'm sure you've mentioned this but I can't remember.)

That's a great idea about the craigslist freelance opps. I've been using craigslist for regular jobs, but not for that.

We decided on San Diego.

blink · Coach

How exciting!! I think if you are ever going to do something like this, now is the time of your life to do it! And with a boyfriend who wants to go too, so you have a team.

If nothing else, you could always waitress or bartend for a little while so that you were free during the day to interview and work on freelancing. It was years ago, but I found that working in a restaurant was a fun way to get to know new people. If your boyfriend was interested, you guys could even get hired together. My managers usually liked hiring couples this because it always meant that they had two people eager to work together on those weekend closing shifts that single people often wanted off for social reasons.

But even if you don't want to do that, I agree with the other posts that say pursue your dreams and be willing to start all over bare bones because sometimes a setback is just a precursor to your greatest comeback! Based on all your posts about dissatisfaction jobs and where you live over the years, I'd say this sounds like a great thing for you. Even a crappy job is better if you are living where you really want to be!

So yeah, I think it's something to consider. Start saving your money now! wink

kenzie · Chanel

blink wrote:

How exciting!! I think if you are ever going to do something like this, now is the time of your life to do it! And with a boyfriend who wants to go too, so you have a team.

If nothing else, you could always waitress or bartend for a little while so that you were free during the day to interview and work on freelancing. It was years ago, but I found that working in a restaurant was a fun way to get to know new people. If your boyfriend was interested, you guys could even get hired together. My managers usually liked hiring couples this because it always meant that they had two people eager to work together on those weekend closing shifts that single people often wanted off for social reasons.

But even if you don't want to do that, I agree with the other posts that say pursue your dreams and be willing to start all over bare bones because sometimes a setback is just a precursor to your greatest comeback! Based on all your posts about dissatisfaction jobs and where you live over the years, I'd say this sounds like a great thing for you. Even a crappy job is better if you are living where you really want to be!
So yeah, I think it's something to consider. Start saving your money now!

Thanks, blink. I feel like we're definitely making headway with saving money.

Although, I have to say working in a restaurant again horrifies me (I did it all through college), but I'm sure there are other options out there as well. I'd be willing to do retail management again (for the right company), though and that also has a flexible schedule to allow for interviewing.

Although, I wish I had moved a long time ago, I'm glad I didn't because I never would have met my bf. And even better that he wants to move, too!

Suasoria · Chanel

You have good taste! SD is of course one of the most desirable and expensive places in the country, so people with MAs in comparative literature work at Barnes & Noble and people with MBAs work in tourism. In many cities one would say "oh, what a pity," but in San Diego, it's part of the trade-off for living in paradise.

From San Diego you could possibly take freelance jobs in Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino areas too. It's a bit of freeway time, but that's SoCal living for you, and once a week for meetings and such wouldn't kill you.

My BFF is an SD native and now lives there again, so if you want advice from her on anything PM me. You'll love her. Or you'll think she's a freak, but that's OK, because it's paradise.

kenzie · Chanel

Suasoria wrote:

You have good taste! SD is of course one of the most desirable and expensive places in the country, so people with MAs in comparative literature work at Barnes & Noble and people with MBAs work in tourism. In many cities one would say "oh, what a pity," but in San Diego, it's part of the trade-off for living in paradise.

From San Diego you could possibly take freelance jobs in Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino areas too. It's a bit of freeway time, but that's SoCal living for you, and once a week for meetings and such wouldn't kill you.

My BFF is an SD native and now lives there again, so if you want advice from her on anything PM me. You'll love her. Or you'll think she's a freak, but that's OK, because it's paradise.

Hehe. Thanks! Good to know about expanded freelance opportunities. I actually plan to open a business in San Diego (my thesis project for my MFA revolves around that), but until then, I'm sure I won't be working at my dream job, so I'm flexible as far as opportunities go (I just reeeeeeeally don't want to work as a server).

I will PM you later.

Maat · Kenneth Cole

Yes, yes, yes, DO it! There are so many people that pick up and move to follow a dream and are successful. Why not you? You have the drive, the talent, and you have savings. Plus I think it will be way easier to find a job once you are living there.

Miss Mabel · Kenneth Cole

I hate to be the naysayer here, but if you don't want to work a crappy job while looking for a good job, I wouldn't move without a job. The economy is crap in Cali right now, and odds are good you won't find something right away.

kenzie · Chanel

Miss Mabel wrote:

I hate to be the naysayer here, but if you don't want to work a crappy job while looking for a good job, I wouldn't move without a job. The economy is crap in Cali right now, and odds are good you won't find something right away.

Hmmm...well, I'm willing to work a crappy job or multiple crappy jobs (retail, admin, temp, etc), but I'm not willing to work as a server (I'm a horrible server anyway). So, I guess if the only crappy jobs that are available are serving jobs, then I shouldn't move, but if there are other things out there, then I'm maybe I'm OK.

Even better- the bf is way less picky about where he works and what he does than I am, so there's a chance he'd get something that could at least carry us for a bit, while I continue to look for a good job. He'll literally do anything. Of course, he hasn't sunk the time and money into several degrees and continuing education like I have either.

Also, I really think I should concentrate on building a freelance base (as someone else mentioned). There's tons of freelance work out there right now, it just takes time to bid for the jobs (and I've been lazy about that).

-- Edited by kenzie on Thursday 9th of April 2009 08:31:48 AM

travelgirl · Kate Spade

I guess the biggie for me is health insurance. Would you be able to get health insurance if you quit your job? It is so expensive to buy if you are aren't working. I know you are young but I would not feel comfortable without being covered even for a short amount of time.

kenzie · Chanel

travelgirl wrote:

I guess the biggie for me is health insurance. Would you be able to get health insurance if you quit your job? It is so expensive to buy if you are aren't working. I know you are young but I would not feel comfortable without being covered even for a short amount of time.

Excellent point. I'd be able to get COBRA, but that is sooooo expensive. That's actually my biggest hang up. I'm not cool with going without health insurance, either. I don't care if I'm only 29. I've been known to hurt myself in freak ways (falling down stairs, giving myself whiplash; falling through a glass top coffee table, messing up my back). So yeah, health insurance is a big consideration. Thanks for the reminder.

There is just a ton of stuff to consider with this whole thing. For now, I'm still sending resumes like crazy and thinking of attempting to network through linkedin (does that work? has anyone tried that?).

jah · Dooney & Bourke

From someone that lives in San Diego, don't depend on the thought of a "crap job" being available to pull you through. The crap jobs are hard to come by right now in San Diego. Lots of people want to live here. Tons of younger people move here after college, job or no job, and then leave after a few years. These people make the restaurant and retail jobs hard to come by. This doesn't even touch on the large immigrant community that we have vying for these types of jobs. To give you a taste of what it is currently like - a new restaurant recently opened in the gaslamp region (downtown, touristy, high tip area). Over 1,000 showed up to apply for the 60 waitress/waiter positions.

So, I think it is pretty clear what I will say. Don't move until you have jobs. The unemployment rate is higher in California than average. The cost of living (despite the downward spiral of real estate prices) is very high. I imagine that you do not want to live far out in the east county. When you speak of San Diego and wanting to be in California, you have discussed the beach, etc. The cost to live in Mission Hills, Old Town, Downtown, La Jolla, Del Mar, etc., will be very high (yes, even Pacific Beach).

Rents are $1500+ in desirable neighboorhoods for one bedrooms. Close to the water is a hot commodity. There are a ton of colleges, etc., so those places go fast.

Food is more expensive. Basic supplies are more expensive. AND, the little known fact about San Diego is that all the employers know that everyone wants to live here, so the wages are not adjusted to account for the cost of living difference in most cases. They officially call this "the sunshine tax". I'm not kidding.

I wish you luck in your job search, but wait until you have a job to move at this point. Giving up a job right now is just not a good idea. I know the above sounds negative about SD. It is not meant to be. SD is gorgeous and it is an easy place to live, but visiting it from a vacation perspective is much different than living here and right now I have a long list of friends that live here that can't find good jobs (friends with advanced degrees, friends with retail and restaurant experience looking for "crap jobs", etc.). These friends have the needed zip codes and can't find work. They also have a network in town. It just isn't a good employment picture right now...

kenzie · Chanel

jah wrote:

From someone that lives in San Diego, don't depend on the thought of a "crap job" being available to pull you through. The crap jobs are hard to come by right now in San Diego. Lots of people want to live here. Tons of younger people move here after college, job or no job, and then leave after a few years. These people make the restaurant and retail jobs hard to come by. This doesn't even touch on the large immigrant community that we have vying for these types of jobs. To give you a taste of what it is currently like - a new restaurant recently opened in the gaslamp region (downtown, touristy, high tip area). Over 1,000 showed up to apply for the 60 waitress/waiter positions.

So, I think it is pretty clear what I will say. Don't move until you have jobs. The unemployment rate is higher in California than average. The cost of living (despite the downward spiral of real estate prices) is very high. I imagine that you do not want to live far out in the east county. When you speak of San Diego and wanting to be in California, you have discussed the beach, etc. The cost to live in Mission Hills, Old Town, Downtown, La Jolla, Del Mar, etc., will be very high (yes, even Pacific Beach).

Rents are $1500+ in desirable neighboorhoods for one bedrooms. Close to the water is a hot commodity. There are a ton of colleges, etc., so those places go fast.

Food is more expensive. Basic supplies are more expensive. AND, the little known fact about San Diego is that all the employers know that everyone wants to live here, so the wages are not adjusted to account for the cost of living difference in most cases. They officially call this "the sunshine tax". I'm not kidding.

I wish you luck in your job search, but wait until you have a job to move at this point. Giving up a job right now is just not a good idea. I know the above sounds negative about SD. It is not meant to be. SD is gorgeous and it is an easy place to live, but visiting it from a vacation perspective is much different than living here and right now I have a long list of friends that live here that can't find good jobs (friends with advanced degrees, friends with retail and restaurant experience looking for "crap jobs", etc.). These friends have the needed zip codes and can't find work. They also have a network in town. It just isn't a good employment picture right now...

Thanks, jah. Most of the things you mentioned are the things that are keeping me from moving without a job. Since I've wanted to move to California for so long, I've done so much research on apartments, cost of living, salaries, etc, so nothing that I hear surprises me at all. But because of all that, it doesn't make me very enthusiastic about moving without some kind of a job.

Of course, I'm becoming increasingly depressed with where I live and the utter lack of anything (jobs, things to do, anything interesting, even people I can relate to), I just feel like I'm staring down a long, dark tunnel and I might never be able to get out of it. And really, I'm exhausted from trying to make the best of living where I live. I've done so much to try to make it better (I even started a Meetup group) and it's just not my thing. At all.

lynnie · Chanel

kenzie wrote:

jah wrote:

From someone that lives in San Diego, don't depend on the thought of a "crap job" being available to pull you through. The crap jobs are hard to come by right now in San Diego. Lots of people want to live here. Tons of younger people move here after college, job or no job, and then leave after a few years. These people make the restaurant and retail jobs hard to come by. This doesn't even touch on the large immigrant community that we have vying for these types of jobs. To give you a taste of what it is currently like - a new restaurant recently opened in the gaslamp region (downtown, touristy, high tip area). Over 1,000 showed up to apply for the 60 waitress/waiter positions.

So, I think it is pretty clear what I will say. Don't move until you have jobs. The unemployment rate is higher in California than average. The cost of living (despite the downward spiral of real estate prices) is very high. I imagine that you do not want to live far out in the east county. When you speak of San Diego and wanting to be in California, you have discussed the beach, etc. The cost to live in Mission Hills, Old Town, Downtown, La Jolla, Del Mar, etc., will be very high (yes, even Pacific Beach).

Rents are $1500+ in desirable neighboorhoods for one bedrooms. Close to the water is a hot commodity. There are a ton of colleges, etc., so those places go fast.

Food is more expensive. Basic supplies are more expensive. AND, the little known fact about San Diego is that all the employers know that everyone wants to live here, so the wages are not adjusted to account for the cost of living difference in most cases. They officially call this "the sunshine tax". I'm not kidding.

I wish you luck in your job search, but wait until you have a job to move at this point. Giving up a job right now is just not a good idea. I know the above sounds negative about SD. It is not meant to be. SD is gorgeous and it is an easy place to live, but visiting it from a vacation perspective is much different than living here and right now I have a long list of friends that live here that can't find good jobs (friends with advanced degrees, friends with retail and restaurant experience looking for "crap jobs", etc.). These friends have the needed zip codes and can't find work. They also have a network in town. It just isn't a good employment picture right now...

Thanks, jah. Most of the things you mentioned are the things that are keeping me from moving without a job. Since I've wanted to move to California for so long, I've done so much research on apartments, cost of living, salaries, etc, so nothing that I hear surprises me at all. But because of all that, it doesn't make me very enthusiastic about moving without some kind of a job.

Of course, I'm becoming increasingly depressed with where I live and the utter lack of anything (jobs, things to do, anything interesting, even people I can relate to), I just feel like I'm staring down a long, dark tunnel and I might never be able to get out of it. And really, I'm exhausted from trying to make the best of living where I live. I've done so much to try to make it better (I even started a Meetup group) and it's just not my thing. At all.

Have you been looking into other areas of CA too? I know the whole state is hurting, but maybe there are more opportunities in LA and you can move to San Diego when the economy improves?

I know how hard it is to live somewhere that doesn't feel right. It would be hard for me to move anywhere though in this economy with at least a year of living expenses in the bank though.

Maybe you could go at the end of September when the weather starts to get cooler here, and save like crazy til then. You can ALWAYS find a way- it may be freegan living though!

kenzie · Chanel

lynnie wrote:

Have you been looking into other areas of CA too? I know the whole state is hurting, but maybe there are more opportunities in LA and you can move to San Diego when the economy improves?
I know how hard it is to live somewhere that doesn't feel right. It would be hard for me to move anywhere though in this economy with at least a year of living expenses in the bank though.
Maybe you could go at the end of September when the weather starts to get cooler here, and save like crazy til then. You can ALWAYS find a way- it may be freegan living though!

Thanks, lynnie.

Funny you mention other places in Cali. You're right. I just sent a few resumes to LA today. I mean, LA is much closer to San Diego than here, right.

According to some people I've talked to out there, California is hurting, but LA seems to be doing better than other areas.

September (or August) would be a great time to move- that was one of the timeframes D and I discussed. Until then, I'm just saving money and sending out resumes. I sent 20 today.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I think you are doing the right thing. Submitting resumes and saving. I would be scared to death to move without a job right now. Hopefully you will get the break you need really soon. I know you have been wanting to move for a while and have thought it through every which way.