Has anyone dropped everything and moved?

Hey all, so I currently live in Southern California and really want to get out of here. Aside from the weather being nice, everything else sucks. Traffic, over population, rent/housing is insanely expensive, guns are banned, etc.

From my research, it seems to be very difficult to get a job out of state unless you know people or have an highly in-demand skill. So I was thinking of just saying 'screw it' quitting my job, moving, and just figure out what to do once I get there. I do have a good chunk in savings and could live 6 months to maybe 1 year without a job.

Has anyone done something like this? What would you say about it

 

i did it when i was about 22. i had been out of college a little bit, was working 3 jobs for a 500 sq ft apartment outside of providence. heard the south was cheap and warm, so i saved up enough for a few months to live off of and moved down one day. figured i'd give it a shot, and if i didn't make it work i'd move back home with my parents. ended up staying down there for 6 years, and the only reason i left was because of grad school. otherwise i'd gladly still be living there

 

Your age, skill set for employment, willingness to work below your capability if required for a while and other responsibilities, like a spouse and kids would all factor in.

If you have a trade that is used everywhere (think nurse, plumber, etc.) that's a good start.

One big ticket item to be sure you figure out is medical insurance. Many options there, just don't forget to plan for it.

 

Fortunately no wife/gf/kids so I'm free to do whatever.

I'm currently working at a IT shop, so it'll probably be hit or miss whether I get something in the same field.

 

My wife (then girlfriend) and I did that in the mid 1990s. Just picked up and moved to Colorado. I worked a temp job at first, then another transitional gig or two until I got established. Finally went back to engineering school when we'd been here long enough to establish residency (MUCH cheaper tuition). Never left after that.

I couldn't do it now as easily, but I also think some of the boxing in we do is put upon ourselves and in our minds. IOW, you don't have to define yourself by a place or job necessarily. It's about what life you want to live and what you value.

 

You will never be any younger than you are today. Live life on your own terms. If you don't, you'll reach my age and regret it.

I found a job first, but yeah, I left Arkansas and moved to Alaska in my 20s and loved the change. Since, I've lived all over and don't regret a thing. Go big or go home.

 

if you hate it now, its best to move somewhere more suitable to you...because once you have a wife and kids it will be harder to get out of there. IT is an open market..ie not specific to one place, so you have many options. Its all on what you like/can tolerate. If its just you, you could prob move a few places and see what you like. Im through moving, but my wife wouldnt mind moving again...

 

come out to Colorado and Utah and become a climbing bum.

I did some climbing in the Cascades and most of the people there were living out of their cars. Quit their jobs to try something new.

 

I've done it a few times now. Last kiddo moves out in about a year and I'm likely to do it again. Hard to explain, but its refreshing to get rid of everything and start over. I can't wait really, thinking of Arizona/Utah next but who knows. Where you thinking of going?

 

also i'm going to say do this while you're still young enough to. i've moved around a decent amount and wish i could still be as mobile

 

That just hurts

 

And @DoubleRGirl is right, younger is easier.

 

that's why i prey on younger men

i mean that's why you have to take advantage of younger men

i mean that's why you have to take advantage of these opportunities while you're young

 

@Cirdan Did it three times, after Highschool I moved to Fl for work but at the end of 2 years I was bored and needed to just move on. So I left great ($750/wk) job in Florida for a government job in San Diego but just like you I found out I couldn't make ends meet, so after nine months I requested a transfer to Everett WA. Being single helps and living out of a FWC Eagle makes things even easier.

I haven't looked back since.

 

I wish I had done that at some point. Now I am married and steeped in a career and it's really not an option.

If you have the opportunity, I would do it. You can always move back if it doesn't work out. Shoot, pick up and move again, to another different place, if it doesn't work out. Especially being in IT, you can get a job pretty much anywhere.

I dream of the day where i will one day have the freedom to do such a thing (luckily, my wife does, too). We are thinking Montana or Wyoming.

 

Liberals from California or whereever need to stay away from Idaho...anyone else is welcome

 

Good point. Stay clear of these obstacles If you don't do it now, you will likely be my age before the money and responsibilities let you do it again. Do it!!!!

 

I do it every time the military makes me. Granted it's not the quite the same but it's still a move to a new place, new house, new people, etc. Saw you said you work in IT, that stuff is all over the place now. Find a place you want to move to and do some research into the field there, then makes some calls! The worse thing that can happen is you don't find a job. Maybe you'll get a bite and off you go.

 

i don't know why anyone lives in coastal california unless they go to the beach frequently. At the same time, I am glad that not everyone who lives here goes to the beach frequently, because then it would be even MORE crowded. I would never live here if I didn't love the beach and have the good job that i have. wife and i dont have any family here. but we have GREAT friends here. the cost and taxes and everything else piling up in Ca. makes it tough to even stick out for the beach and weather. but its working so far.

but id say go man. go go go. i have family in utah and idaho. places are awesome if you are an outdoors type. if you don't like the snow, boise is GREAT. cause it will snow but not really stick for the most part (last year it did). mountains, rivers, etc.

 

I had my forced moves with the military also...found places I liked and places I didnt