Figuring out where to move

[NicholasA1]

I want to move, and I want your help figuring out where.

It's like this, I'm incredibly unhappy where I am (Richmond, VA). I have a variety of reasons for not liking it here.

I'm thinking about moving, but I can't seem to find a job somewhere else. Why hire someone from way out of town when there are people within a 30 minute drive who are just as qualified if not more? Last time I moved, it was to northern Virginia (in the DC metro area). I got screwed royally and had to move back to Richmond.

So I'm going to try and just move somewhere and find work once I am already living in the area. It's risky, probably the dumbest thing I'll ever do, but I'm probably going to kill myself anyway so let's at least try to make the best of life. That isn't a joke, I'm really, truly that unhappy. There are just no jobs for young people here, not even in Subway. We're second class citizens here.

If you live in an area I might be interested in, tell me all about it. What is the culture like? What is the job market like?

I'm hoping to move north. Maybe up to Minneapolis or St. Paul (tell me about it). Or Washington DC, which I'm sort of familiar with.

I'm also opened to Philadelphia, but things look kind of rough employment-wise up there. I don't know much about Baltimore, someone should tell me about it.

My thoughts are that I should just aim for the DC area and live in a part of Virginia near DC. It would be easier for me since all my stuff is already registered in Virginia. And, worse comes to worse, I could run back to Richmond again if it doesn't work out. Though, I highly doubt I'll have a place to return to in Richmond when I leave this time if it doesn't work out. So it might not matter how far away I go. But still, I have my dad here and he would at least try to help me if it didn't work in DC. Keyword is try, he doesn't have much. He is unemployed and relies on people's help. I'm unemployed too, but if I move to a better area I feel I could change that.

Tell me your thoughts, and please don't be mean to me.

 

[Rox_My_Sox1]

I think the first thing you need to note is that you've said your unhappy with your life (to the point where you've actually stated in your post that you may want to kill yourself). You might want to address that issue before moving to another location. Have you considered seeing a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist? If not, I'd highly recommend it. If however, you are dead set on moving, then I'd consider acquiring a job in said location (possibly by applying online) before moving to it. What amount of education / job experience do you have? Are you suffering from having a criminal record? What positions do you think would suit you best? It's better to plan this out as best as possible than to just up and move hun (at least that's my point of view).

 

[NicholasA1]

Well, I believe I addressed the job thing in my post. It's pretty hard to get a job if you don't already live there. I've been looking for jobs in other areas for a year now. I think it's best if I just pick an area wisely, move, and then look for work. I'll be closer and they won't have to wait for me to relocate. I will be convenient for them. I'm desperate for a new beginning, and I think it will work out if I go somewhere where there are more jobs. The only work there is here is finance and biotechnology. I don't know anything about either, and it seems the market for finance workers is glutted here. Like there are so many already that it's too competitive to be good.

I saw a psychologist a few years ago. I saw him for about three years, then stopped in late 2010. It didn't do me any good. This is a terrible environment. How can I be happy if I'm considered a "child" and not even trusted to work in fucking Macy's?

I have a bachelor's degree. I graduated last year. Also, last year I had my dream job. Then I got fucked over and fired. My dreams are now smashed to pieces. This didn't happen in Richmond though, it happened in Fairfax (northern VA). I just don't like it here. Southern and Appalachian culture is a culture of cruelty, hate, and intolerance. But mostly hate and cruelty. I'd rather die than go on living here.

I've interned four times and nobody seems to appreciate it. Nobody cares how hard I've tried. I can't keep working unpaid jobs forever, but I can't get a minimum wage job because I'm either "overqualified" or, when I don't tell them about my education and internships, not qualified at all and look bad. Either that, or they just don't want young people making "their" sandwiches or folding "their" clothes.

I don't have a criminal record, but if this shit keeps up I might just beat someone's face in and get one.

 

[Numbah-1]

Well... you cant change yourself by changing scenery (Senses Fail yo). If you dont like cold, dont come farther north! If you're so hell bent on moving why stay local? Australia or New Zealand is where its at!

As far jobs go its sounds like our entire country is going through this problem. A friend told his boss he was sick and was going, got a physical right after, quit, and got hired somewhere else in a few days. It can be done.