Do many people move to a new city without having a job lined up?

[crazyquik]

So I ended up on the city-data forums, because I was looking for something, and then saw several threads of people which all sounded like this: "I used to live in ________, I moved here several months ago, and I still haven't found a job. I need help." Or something to that effect.

Is it really that common to pack up your life and move across the country, just because you heard the cost of living was lower or there were more jobs, without having anything lined up?

 

[Hombre Secreto]

You gotta be pretty confident in your skills to do is, or extremely stupid.

 

[Piobaire]

We moved across the country without jobs. I had three offers the first week; it took my wife two weeks to find a job. She's still at the same company after all these years.

I guess we're stupid?

 

[lee_44106]

Ever look around you and just be amazed at how stupid some people are?

There's more of them born every minute.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

I guess we're stupid?
That's what you keep trying to make everyone believe. I think it's a ruse to lower the expectations around you, personally, and I'm not going to fall for it.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

That's what you keep trying to make everyone believe. I think it's a ruse to lower the expectations around you, personally, and I'm not going to fall for it.

I guess I'm too stupid to put one over on you?

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

I guess I'm too stupid to put one over on you?

I learned that trick from Montgomery Scott.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

I learned that trick from Montgomery Scott.

And I fell for that trick? I must be stupid.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

And I fell for that trick? I must be stupid.

No, you were doing the trick.

Lower everyone's expectations, so that when you overshoot them, everyone is pleasantly surprised.

The warp core is destroyed! It's gonna take a miracle to fix it. I need at least four hours. (whistles, puts his feet up on the console, fixes tea)

20 minutes later, Captain, I've got the warp core fixed, but she's not 100%. (actually is 100%)

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

No, you were doing the trick. Lower everyone's expectations, so that when you overshoot them, everyone is pleasantly surprised. The warp core is destroyed! It's gonna take a miracle to fix it. I need at least four hours. (whistles, puts his feet up on the console, fixes tea) 20 minutes later, Captain, I've got the warp core fixed, but she's not 100%. (actually is 100%)
God, I'm so stupid. Don't know how I messed that up. Would Scotty changed planets, without a job lined up?

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

We moved across the country without jobs. I had three offers the first week; it took my wife two weeks to find a job. She's still at the same company after all these years. I guess we're stupid?
When was this? If it was a long time ago, obviously the cultural, economic, whatever climates are pretty different. I think today, things being what they are, housing and cost of living and insurance costing what it does, it would be pretty stupid just to move without at least having something partial lined up. In the past, though, it seems pretty common; I'm pretty sure my folks did the same thing back in the 70's.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

When was this? If it was a long time ago, obviously the cultural, economic, whatever climates are pretty different.

I think today, things being what they are, housing and cost of living and insurance costing what it does, it would be pretty stupid just to move without at least having something partial lined up.

In the past, though, it seems pretty common; I'm pretty sure my folks did the same thing back in the 70's.

It was in 1956.

Btw, you've internalized the scare tactics, i.e. cost of insurance prohibitive to moving. FYI, Obama made it so you only pay 35% for your COBRA (basically equal to or less the usual employee contribution. COBRA used to be 101%, as your former company was allowed to clear cost of administration).

I don't think the problem is finding a job, the problem is finding a job people find worthy of themselves or of equal level to your current position. I've never had a problem working a job below my desired goals. Friday night I was remembering how I used to work for a valet service, in undergrad, and yesterday, I was remember selling cars before returning to university.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Friday night I was remembering how I used to work for a valet service, in undergrad, and yesterday, I was remember selling cars before returning to university.
Are you sure you graduated from college?

 

[redcaimen]

Lots of people in the trades do this. Also anyone who works at a menial job can easily find a similar replacement. Hundreds of thousands of people from south of the border do this every year.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Connemara

Are you sure you graduated from college?

Again, I am stupid. Am also watching The Brotherhood, so these things happen.