MetaChat - Should I do it?

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27 April 2008

Should I do it? I'm thinking of moving to a city in the US for the summer. Bad idea or good idea? →[More:] I'm living in Mexico right now and I'm done. I can't take it anymore. I need to leave. But I need to be back in August for a trip. So, I have two options: move back in with my parents in a middle sized, uninteresting city, or move to an exciting city, one that I've always wanted to go to like Seattle or Chicago, for two months this summer before I have to be somewhere else.

My major considerations are:

1. I hate driving. I would prefer to live in a place where I don't need a car. If I move back to the 'rents, I'll be driving at least an hour each way every way through heavy traffic in order to get to and from work. I have lived with them before and done this and it's awful and I know that I hate it. I don't mind a commute, as long as I don't have to drive it.

2. I need to have some money saved by August for an already planned and set trip. I am a really good saver and I already have just enough money for the trip. However, if I move, that will take money. I know how to move cheaply, but I want to not lose a ton of money by leaving here. So...

3. Is there work in the US right now? I haven't been back in a while but all I've been hearing about is the current slump. I have tons of experience in temp jobs and now I have a year tutoring experience and I also have restaurant experience (both kitchen and service). Does anyone know about Chicago and Seattle and whether or not I'd be able to find any kind of work there right now? My job here doesn't pay great, but at least I have a job. If I move there and can't find anything or can only find a couple of weeks of temp work, I might lose the money I've saved for my trip.

4. I have friends in both Chicago and Seattle so, while I'll still have to pay rent, I already have the sublet set up in each place.

So, what do you think? Chicago, Seattle, two cities that I have always wanted to live in where I can have an interesting experience and possibly meet interesting people and have fun? Or boring southeastern city with really cheap rent where I anticipate spending a lot of quiet time catching up on movies and books? Definite financial security and boredom, or the possibility of a lot of fun and great new experiences, and possibly not finding a job but still having to pay highish rent?

Anyone with current job searching experience in Seattle or Chicago?

post by: mosessis at: 22:34 | 9 comments

move back in with my parents in a middle sized, uninteresting city

I happen to know your parents live in Tampa (since we had that meetup when we were all home for Christmas), and if I were you, that's what I would do. Suburban life recharges me. All the quiet, the space, the cheap things at big box stores. Heck, I'm really jealous. TAKE ME WITH YOU.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 27 April | 22:41

Hey, you are driving distance from Sarasota if you go to Tampa! I used to love that place but it has literally been 26 years since I was there. Great beaches!

posted by bunnyfire 27 April | 22:48

I haven't taken in all your detail, but when you're young, unencumbered, and are talking only about a single summer, you should definitely do whatever it is you want to do with that summer. You will certainly not regret it, it's totally reversible, and it could become a very important experience that you remember and draw from when your life is more settled in future.

My short first visit to Chicago was incredibly alluring. It appears to be a city where you could easily spend a 2-month summer season and not even come close to exhausting the interesting and mind-expanding and fun possibilities of things to do and people to meet there.

Adventure! Always, adventure.

posted by Miko 27 April | 22:56

Chicago for two months. I'm not knocking Seattle, just that Chicago has a lot going on.

posted by craniac 27 April | 23:00

Chicago sounds fun.

posted by mullacc 27 April | 23:00

I spent most of 3 months living in Seattle and most of 2 years living in Chicago. I have fond memories of both. I'd say go for it.

posted by arse_hat 27 April | 23:21

Seattle isn't really that interesting, although it might be interesting enough for 2 months. And public transportation here is just OK (you can get anywhere from anywhere by bus, but'll probably need to connect).

But if you like outdoorsy stuff the summer here is amazing.

(never been Chicago)

posted by qvantamon 28 April | 01:31

When it comes to advertising, Chicago is currently in a serious slump. I don't think this affects "real jobs" or temp agency gigs to be honest, and a I have a few ad-pals there trying to find work who went there last year 'for a little while', who love the city so much their hanging on by their teeth on short stints of freelance ad-gigs even though the plan was to land a full-time job (kinda impossible when all big agencies are loosing accounts and people are fired in droves over there right now.)

I think this says a lot about how fun this city can be. Their previous city-life included Amsterdam and Miami. So hey, go for Chicago!

posted by dabitch 28 April | 04:14

Thank you all so much for your encouragement. I just decided to give notice to my boss this morning and we've agreed I'll leave in three weeks. Also, just called my friend in Chicago and it looks like I'll be able to take over her sublet and her cat for the summer while she's away. So perfect for both of us!

I have more friends in Seattle, but it did seem like Chicago is a more fast paced city and more public transport friendly. Thank you for backing me up on that. It feels really good to have the moral support here.

posted by mosessis 28 April | 09:51

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