New locale vs. financial security

February 7, 2006 4:49 PM

I have lived in Minneapolis for 7 years, as I went to school here and had my first "real" job here. I have been planning on moving to Oregon at the beginning of April, turned in my lease, etc. Just today, I received an excellent job offer in MN from a submission I made in October, I haven't been applying around here for the past few months. So, do I stay and take the job, or move as I have been planning, although I have no employment prospects in Oregon, just the desire for change.
posted by abee to work & money (10 comments total)

That's a call you're going to have to make on your own. Weigh your financial situation and options against your desire for change and the opportunities you'll be afforded in Oregon. Do you have a family or kids to support? Do you know anyone in Oregon? Why do you want to make this move to begin with, and what is it worth to your life at the moment?

I recently made the move from New York to LA after years of putting it off. I always had a job, but no extra money, and no prospects outside of New York City. All of my friends and support system were in NYC, as well as plenty of reasons for staying. I got to the point were my life was so stagnant, and I had wanted to leave for so long, but resisted for all the reasons above, that I had to just throw myself into the decision to hell with the consequences.

Now I'm in LA, I have more credit card debt than I did to begin with, but I have also found work, friends, and the massive change in my life that I had hungered for, for so long. For me it was a terrifying but absolutely correct and necessary decision. One that I don't regret. I just wish I had done it earlier, since it was something I clearly knew I wanted. Don't be reckless, but don't be afraid to take risks sometimes. Once you make it through to the other side, I've found that self-imposed change is almost always for the best.
posted by scallion at 5:07 PM on February 7, 2006

Oregon seems to get a lot of people who move there because they are looking for a change and like what the area has to offer. As a result, there are lots of smart and skilled people. What there isn't is a lot of jobs for those people, so if you do make the move without a job lined up, be prepared to spend a good stretch of time either unemployed or underemployed.
posted by Good Brain at 5:44 PM on February 7, 2006

I second Good Brain's post. It's darn near impossible to find a job in Oregon - especially Portland. I moved here 7 years ago and it took nearly a year to get a decent job. Period. If you move here, find a job first, else your 'change' won't be too happy.
posted by immer geradeaus at 5:46 PM on February 7, 2006

Ditto what goodbrain and immer geradeaus said.

Some other things to consider about Portland, if that's your destination:

*It's overcrowded, at least compared to a lot of Midwest cities. The population density of West Coast cities in general can be a source of constant aggravation for me, because I like my personal space, I like wide open thorougfares, lack of traffic, etc.

*The real estate market is a bitch and no where near as desirable as what you'll find in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan. If you're not buying a home, then don't sweat it. But be prepared to shell out big bucks if you are.

*More on the housing/real estate situation: do you like the big, comfy apartments and homes of the Midwest? If so, you'll be bummed to find out that most of Portland's living quarters are compact in nature and sometimes tiny. Not San Francisco or Tokyo-tiny, but pretty compact, pretty small.

*The rain and the overcast skies are no big deal. The overcast skies aren't thick blankets of gray (which I kind of wish they were, personally). They're patchy, mostly, with sunny and grey parts all throughout. The rain basically disappears from June through September and you have dry, hot summers.

So, there's good and bad here, all depending on your point of view. And I know you didn't single out Portland as your destination, but tons of Twin Cities people tend to make that move, I've noticed...
posted by iced_borsch at 6:53 PM on February 7, 2006

i certainly wouldn't mind portland as my final destination, but i was planning to live with a friend in Bend and then on to Seattle after summer
posted by abee at 7:02 PM on February 7, 2006

i certainly wouldn't mind portland as my final destination, but i was planning to live with a friend in Bend and then on to Seattle after summer

Bend sounds like a whole other story. Never been there, but it sounds nice (I'm keen on the whole high desert thing). I have heard rumblings that it's become hyper-touristy though.
posted by iced_borsch at 7:15 PM on February 7, 2006

Let's see...how many dittoes are really necessary? One more at least ;-)

Under no conditions should you move to Oregon without a job lined up.
posted by tkolar at 9:41 PM on February 7, 2006

Also remember that the grass isn't always greener. You're tired of Minneapolis? Totally understandable. However, you may eventually be tired of Oregon or wherever else you move.

Not that there's anything wrong with moving around as much as you choose, but bear in mind that moving may not satisfy a what you feel is missing in your life..
posted by poppo at 7:04 AM on February 8, 2006

Alternative suggestion: Not exactly a huge chance of scenery but I've heard that Milwaukee is becoming a pretty hip place right now. Employment/housing prospects will probably be a lot brighter out there. If you really need to get away from Minneapolis, small steps might be the key. I tried moving from Minneapolis (really suburbs thereof) to Philadelphia when I was 19 and although I loved living in Philly and loved the city, I just found it too hard to stay away from my family and friends. So I moved back. But maybe a few small steps will get you somplace where you'll be at home.

Oh, and don't forget that global climate change is going to make living along the coastlines very unpleasant sometime in the future. Might not be pertinent for you now but if you plan to have kids, think about where you're sticking them on the planet.
posted by baphomet at 7:24 AM on February 8, 2006

I think Bend probably has a similar dynamic, especially with the year round recreation options. Plus, I think a lot of people are "retiring" there where retiring actually means making a lifestyle related move for which they are willing to take a big pay cut, cushioned by all that home equity they're brought with them.
posted by Good Brain at 11:52 PM on February 8, 2006