93EXCivic wrote: Have you looked at Huntsville, AL? I love it here and there are lots of engineering companies and a very cheap cost of living.
If I had moved to Huntsville when I had to move to Alabama in 1982, I would still be there. I loved north Alabama. I couldn't get out of Montgomery fast enough when I got laid off.
Similar situation for my girlfriend and I.
She works in refugee/immigrant social services. This limits her job prospects to larger cities.
I work in regional/land planning, which has really good job security and a predominantly older work force (ie lots of openings) especially in rural areas. Geeky graduate students in my field don't want to live in the middle of no-where, they want to live in the city. I can handle living in the middle of no-where.
However, neither my girlfriend and I can handle living someplace thats got very specific summer only outdoor activities. We need to be outdoors.
So, we're asking the same question:
Better to move where you want to be and struggle to find work, or patiently try to find work while staying someplace you hate?
On another note, I've heard of people researching, visiting, and making friends in their desired relocation area, and when applying for jobs they say that they are living where their friends live currently. Or "moving back to summer home" or "inheriting land from relative", but all of that has its risks...
Gives the potential employer the idea that you are very familiar with the area, just unable to come in for an interview.
That's always been the crux of the problem. How do you convince a potential employer to interview you phone only? Or better yet, that he/she should download Skype to do a web-interview?
Send me an email with your resume. (username@gmail.com) My company usually tries to hire a new engineer or two in the spring. I can at the least get your name in the pile. (are you a US citizen?)
Albany, NY has become something of a hotbed for nanotech.
PHeller wrote: On another note, I've heard of people researching, visiting, and making friends in their desired relocation area, and when applying for jobs they say that they are living where their friends live currently. Or "moving back to summer home" or "inheriting land from relative", but all of that has its risks... Gives the potential employer the idea that you are very familiar with the area, just unable to come in for an interview. That's always been the crux of the problem. How do you convince a potential employer to interview you phone only? Or better yet, that he/she should download Skype to do a web-interview?
Only concern I have is that a number of jobs that I am applying for would want me to get a security clearance. I have a few people down that way I can stay with when an interview pops up. Pretty much gonna drive down for any decent interviews is the plan.
I'm still waiting on your resume.
Yes the further south or west of DC you go it gets cheaper. The closer to DC you are, the closer you are to Metro stops, and the rent goes up up up.
Manassas is not bad, I lived for 2 years in an apartment complex called Battery Heights. They are older apartments, but its a lot of space for the $$, At the time when I moved there, it was the nicest apartment I could find at the price I wanted to pay. One of my co-workers just moved there actually. There is a shopping center/grocery store within walking distance and even a Wal Mart if you feel like crossing 6 lanes of traffic. Best to consider that (and a lot of other shops) a short drive away.
I currently work in Manassas, but now I live about 45 miles south. The mortgage on my house is about $100 more than my rent was in Manassas. So yea if you are willing to commute a long distance, things get cheaper.
Maybe consider Dale City/Woodbridge area? Its near the 95 corridor so that would be good for getting into the DC area. You know, except for traffic.
you do NOT want to drive up 95/395 every day. driving isn't even the right word. used to commute from DC down to Lorton (between springfield and woodbridge) everyday. Almost every day traffic was at a dead stop going the other way, often in the HOV as well.
I think 66 is just as bad.
your gf is probably going to have to work downtown, you probably won't. plan accordingly.
You're picking one of the most expensive areas in the country to live. That might be why you're rent prices are sky high. You can try to live in the suburbs but your commute time will be astronomical. Have you thought about Richmond? The VMFA is here in town. They might could put your g/f to work. She may not need a license or car if you live in the Fan neighborhood. That or the museum district area. Scott's Addition would be walking distance to the VMFA or the Science Museum of VA. Scott's Addition will be much more...er...working class or sketchy depending on your tolerance of industry and lower rent housing.
what's HER plan? really, I feel like it's going to be harder to figure out a situation that is satisfactory for her long term than you.
Boeing is hiring, and they are desperate for engineers. I'm not too familiar with your discipline, but if you can relate it to Aerospace then you should be set. I know they're hiring in Charleston, SC, and I think they might be hiring Steward AFB in NY.
The South Carolina I think may be more toward what you're looking for, and I think they may want aircraft maintenance experience in Steward AFB.
http://jobs-boeing.com/all-united-states-jobs
Good pay, and relocation benefits.
On the apartment hunting front, we are mostly looking in Germantown and Gaithersburg. Reason being that I currently have MD residency and want to avoid the added expense of transferring my cars/ paying the taxes and all that. (plus I cant keep using my mom as a mail clearing house forever) Have been keeping tabs on Manasses though.
I know its an expensive area. As was observed though, it has a rather low unemployment rate and is just a good area for us with friends and family.
BTW, sorry for the time its taking getting back to some of you. Crazy holidays and my internet being Starbucks is keeping me tied up a bit, I am working on some things and will be in touch with some of you regarding the job help in the next few days.
Again, thanks guys. It has really helped me get back some resolve on our plans.
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